''Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry'', better known as simply ''Def Poetry Jam'' or ''Def Poetry'', is a

spoken word Spoken word refers to an oral poetic performance art that is based mainly on the poem as well as the performer's aesthetic qualities. It is a late 20th century continuation of an ancient oral artistic tradition that focuses on the aesthetics of ...

poetry Poetry (derived from the Greek ''poiesis'', "making"), also called verse, is a form of literature that uses aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language − such as phonaesthetics, sound symbolism, and metre − to evoke meanings i ...

television series hosted by

Mos Def Yasiin Bey (; born Dante Terrell Smith, December 11, 1973), previously and more commonly known by his stage name Mos Def (), is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor. His hip hop career began in 1994, alongside his siblings in the s ...

and airing on

HBO Home Box Office (HBO) is an American premium television network, which is the flagship property of namesake parent subsidiary Home Box Office, Inc., itself a unit owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The overall Home Box Office business unit is ba ...

between 2002 and 2007. The series features performances by established and up-and-coming spoken word poets. Performances also include special appearances by well-known actors and musicians, as well as occasional performances by Mos Def himself. Co-created by

Bruce George Bruce Thomas George (1 June 1942 – 24 February 2020) was a British Labour Party politician, who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Walsall South from February 1974 until 2010. Early life George was born in Mountain Ash, Mid-Glam ...

Danny Simmons Daniel "Danny" Simmons Jr. is a Neo-African abstract expressionist painter, a published author, poet and philanthropist. He is a leader in the art world with his philanthropic ventures, artistic talents and creative mind and drive. Danny Simmo ...

, Deborah Pointer,

Stan Lathan Stan Lathan (born July 8, 1945) is an American television and film director and television producer. He is executive producer and director of BET's ''Real Husbands of Hollywood''. He has produced and directed numerous stand-up comedy specials st ...

, and

Russell Simmons Russell Wendell Simmons (born October 4, 1957) is an American entrepreneur, writer and record executive. He co-founded the hip-hop label Def Jam Recordings, and created the clothing fashion lines Phat Farm, Argyleculture, and Tantris. Simmons' ...

, the show is a spin-off of the popular ''

Def Comedy Jam ''Def Comedy Jam'' is an HBO television series produced by Russell Simmons. The series had its original run from March 7, 1992 to May 2, 1997. Simmons was inspired to make Def Comedy Jam by The Uptown Comedy Club in Harlem, New York and Jerry Le ...

'' which began airing on HBO in the 1990s. As with ''Def Comedy'', Simmons appears at the end of every episode to thank the audience. The series included historical legendary poets such as, The Last Poets, Nikki Giovanni,

Amiri Baraka Amiri Baraka (born Everett Leroy Jones; October 7, 1934 – January 9, 2014), previously known as LeRoi Jones and Imamu Amear Baraka, was an American writer of poetry, drama, fiction, essays and music criticism. He was the author of numerous bo ...

and Sonya Sanchez. It also featured poets,

Saul Williams Saul Stacey Williams (born February 29, 1972) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, musician, poet, writer, and actor. He is known for his blend of poetry and alternative hip hop, and for his lead roles in the 1998 independent film ''Slam'' ...

J. Ivy J. Ivy (born March 3, 1976) is an American performance poet, spoken word artist, songwriter, and author. He is a three-time HBO Def Poet and is known for his performance on Kanye West’s Grammy Award winning debut album ''The College Dropout ...

, Jessica Care-Moore and Lemon. Though technically not a

poetry slam A poetry slam is a competitive art event in which poets perform spoken word poetry before a live audience and a panel of judges. While formats can vary, slams are often loud and lively, with audience participation, cheering and dramatic delivery. ...

, ''Def Poetry'' has become heavily associated with the

movement, and utilizes many of

's best known poets, including National Poetry Slam champions such as

Beau Sia Beau Sia (, born 1976) is an American Poetry slam, slam poet. Life and career Sia was born in Ohio. He is of Chinese-Filipino descent. Raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Sia discovered spoken word poetry on MTV as a teenager. When not particip ...

Taylor Mali Taylor McDowell Mali (born March 28, 1965) is an American slam poet, humorist, teacher, and voiceover artist. Life A 12th-generation native of New York City, Taylor Mali graduated from the Collegiate School, a private school for boys, in 1983 ...

Big Poppa E Big Poppa E is an American performer of slam poetry. His live performances combine poetry, stand-up comedy, and dramatic monologue. Performance poetry He participated in the 10th Annual Poetry Slam in Chicago as part of the San Francisco team. ...

, Mayda del Valle, Mike Mcgee,

Alix Olson Alix L. Olson (born 1975) is an American poet who works exclusively in spoken word. She graduated from Wesleyan University in 1997 and uses her work to address issues of capitalism, racism, sexism, homophobia, heterosexism, misogyny, and patria ...

and Rives, among others. Even poets who are critical of the

, such as

John S. Hall John S. Hall (born John Charles Hall, September 2, 1960) is an American poet, author, singer and lawyer perhaps best known for his work with King Missile, an avant-garde band that he co-founded in 1986 and has since led in various incarnations. ...

, have acknowledged slam's influence on the show. In a 2005 interview, Hall was quoted as saying: In a 2005 interview,

Bob Holman Bob Holman is an American poet and poetry activist, most closely identified with the oral tradition, the spoken word, and poetry slam. As a promoter of poetry in many media, Holman has spent the last four decades working variously as an author ...

, who founded the

Nuyorican Poets Cafe Nuyorican is a portmanteau of the terms "New York" and "Puerto Rican" and refers to the members or culture of the Puerto Ricans located in or around New York City, or of their descendants (especially those raised or currently living in the N ...

and appeared on Season 4 of the show, applauded ''Def Poetry'', noting: However, Marc Smith, the founder of the Poetry Slam movement, is more critical of the program. Smith decries the intense commercialization of the poetry slam, and refers to Def Poetry as "an exploitive entertainment rogram thatdiminished the value and aesthetic of performance poetry." In November 2002, a live stage production, ''Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam'', opened on

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

. Directed by

, the show featured poets

Suheir Hammad Suheir Hammad (born October 25, 1973) is an American poet, author, actress, performer, and political activist. Biography She was born in Amman, Jordan. Her parents were Palestinian refugees who immigrated along with their daughter to Brooklyn, N ...

Staceyann Chin Staceyann Chin (born December 25, 1972) is a spoken-word poet, performing artist and LGBT rights political activist. Her work has been published in ''The New York Times'', ''The Washington Post'', and the ''Pittsburgh Daily'', and has been featu ...

Lemon The lemon (''Citrus limon'') is a species of small evergreen trees in the flowering plant family Rutaceae, native to Asia, primarily Northeast India (Assam), Northern Myanmar or China. The tree's ellipsoidal yellow fruit is used for culin ...

, Mayda del Valle,

Georgia Me Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to the ...

, Black Ice, Poetri Smith, and Steve Coleman. The show ran on Broadway until May 2003, and won a 2003

Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual cer ...

for Best Special Theatrical Event. ''New York Times'' List of 2003 Tony Award Winners
The show subsequently toured both nationally and internationally. ''Def Poetry'' premiered on HBO in 2002 and the latest season to air (Season 6) premiered in February 2007. As of summer 2008, there has been no word about the possibility of a Season 7. Starting in 2008, producers of ''Def Poetry'' (including Simmons,

, and

Kamilah Forbes Kamilah Forbes is an American curator, producer, and director. She created and directed the Hip Hop Theater Festival from 2000 to 2016. She has held directing roles for television and theater productions such as ''Holler if Ya Hear Me'', ''The Wi ...

) developed and broadcast the HBO poetry show ''

Brave New Voices Brave New Voices was created by Youth Speaks Inc in 1998 (a non-profit organization from San Francisco promoting youth intellectual and artistic self-development) after the inaugural Youth Speaks Teen slam poetry in San Francisco – the first po ...

'', which is stylistically similar to ''Def Poetry'', with teenage poets competing and backstage scenes.

Episode index

Season 1 (2002)

Episode 1

*Steve Colman – I Wanna Hear a Poem *Georgia Me – Full Figure Potential *Vanessa Hidary - Culture Bandit *Lemon – Shine *Nikki Giovanni – Talk to Me Poem, I Think I've Got the Blues *Black Ice – Bigger Than Mine? *Suheir Hammad – First Writing Since

Episode 2

*Taylor Mali – What Teachers Make *Yellow Rage – Listen Asshole * Jewel – Poem Song *Flow Mentalz – They Call Me Drama *Sonia Sanchez – Poem to Some Women *Shihan – This Type Love *Dawn Saylor – When I Was 14 *Kayo – Who Am I?

Episode 3

Cedric the Entertainer Cedric Antonio Kyles (born April 24, 1964), better known by his stage name Cedric the Entertainer, is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He hosted BET's ''ComicView'' during the 1993–1994 season and ''Def Comedy Jam'' in 1995. He is bes ...

– Untitled * Sarah Jones – Your Revolution *

– Give Me a Chance *

Willie Perdomo Willie Perdomo is a Puerto Rican poet and children's book author. He is the author of ''The Essential Hits of Shorty Bon Bon'' (Penguin Poets, 2014), a National Book Critics Circle Awards finalist, ''Where a Nickel Costs a Dime'' ( W. W. Norton ...

– How Beautiful We Really Are *Abyss – God Gave Me Grey Skies *

The Last Poets The Last Poets are several groups of poets and musicians who arose from the late 1960s African-American civil rights movement's black nationalism. The name is taken from a poem by the South African revolutionary poet Keorapetse Kgositsile, who bel ...

– Take Your Time *

IN-Q IN-Q or IN-Query, is the stage name of Adam Schmalholz, an American songwriter and National Poetry Slam champion from Los Angeles, California. Schmalholz describes his poetry as a reflection of his own experiences and life lessons. Recognized for ...

– When Hip-Hop Was Fun *

– I Need To Write

Episode 4

* Mayda del Valle – Descendancy * Poetri – Money * Jessica Care Moore – Warriors Walk Alone *

Dave Chappelle David Khari Webber Chappelle ( ; born August 24, 1973) is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He is best known for his satirical comedy sketch series ''Chappelle's Show'' (2003–2006), which he starred in until quitting in the middle of p ...

– The Corner Store * Amiri Baraka – from Why is We Americans? * Liza Jessie Peterson – Ice Cream Fiend * Kevin Coval – Family Feud

Season 2 (2003)

Episode 1

– Asian Invasion *Jason Carney – Southern Heritage *Thea Monyee – Woman to Woman *

Sekou Sundiata Sekou Sundiata (August 22, 1948 – July 18, 2007) was an African-American poet and performer, as well as a teacher at The New School in New York City. Famous students include musicians Ani DiFranco and Mike Doughty. His plays include ''The C ...

– Come on and Bring on the Reparations *Marty McConnell – Give Me One Good Reason to Die *Twin Poets – Dreams are Illegal in the Ghetto *

Jamie Foxx Eric Marlon Bishop (born December 13, 1967), known professionally as Jamie Foxx, is an American actor, comedian, and singer. He became widely known for his portrayal of Ray Charles in the 2004 biographical film '' Ray'', for which he won the ...

– Off the Hizzle for Shizzle

Episode 2

Danny Hoch Daniel Hoch (born November 23, 1970) is an American actor, writer, director and performance artist. He has acted in larger roles in independent and art house movies and had a few small roles in mainstream Hollywood films, with increasing expo ...

– Corner Talk, September * Patricia Smith – Skinhead *

Dante Basco Dante R. Basco (born August 29, 1975) is an American film, television and voice actor. He is best known for his role as Rufio, the leader of the Lost Boys in Steven Spielberg's ''Hook'', and Julian Lee in '' Fakin' da Funk'', and for his many vo ...

– Nikki *

Maggie Estep Margaret Ann "Maggie" Estep (March 20, 1963 – February 12, 2014) was an American writer and poet, best known for coming to prominence during the height of the spoken word and poetry slam performance rage. She published seven books and rel ...

– Emotional Idiot * Black Ice – Truth Is * Kent Foreman – Epiphany *

Roger Bonair-Agard Roger Bonair-Agard is a poet and performance artist. He has made numerous television and radio appearances, has led countless workshops and lectures, and has performed his poetry at many US universities as well as at international festivals in Ger ...

– How the Ghetto Loves Us Back *

Erykah Badu Erica Abi Wright (born February 26, 1971), known professionally as Erykah Badu (), is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. Influenced by rhythm and blues, R&B, Soul music, soul, and hip hop, Badu rose to prominence in the ...

– Friends, fans, and artists must meet

Episode 3

* Lemon – Where I'm From and A Toast *

Bassey Ikpi Bassey Ikpi is a Nigerian-born American spoken-word artist, writer, and mental health advocate. She has appeared on HBO's Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry five times and her poetry has opened shows for Grammy Award-winning artists. She's al ...

– Sometimes silence is the loudest kind of noise * Taylor Mali – Totally like whatever, you know? *

Regie Cabico Regie Cabico is a Filipino American poet and spoken word artist. He has been featured on two seasons of ''Def Poetry Jam'' on HBO (produced by Russell Simmons) and has been called the Lady Gaga of spoken word. He is an "out and proud" gay man. L ...

– What kind of guys are attracted to me * Haki R. Madhubuti �
The B Network
* Rat Sack – I'm Losing You * Talib Kweli –

Episode 4

* Ishle Yi Park – All I have ever done is write you love poems * Shihan – Say What? * Suheir Hammad – Not Your Erotic, Not Your Exotic *

– Wussy Boy * La Bruja – WTC * Anthony Morales – Story Avenue Stuck * Amalia Ortiz – Some Days *

Oscar Brown Jr. Oscar Brown Jr. (October 10, 1926May 29, 2005) was an American singer, songwriter, playwright, poet, civil rights activist, and actor. Aside from his career, Brown ran unsuccessfully for office in both the Illinois state legislature and the U. ...

– I Apologize

Episode 5

* Felipe Luciano – Jibaro, My Pretty Nigger * MuMs – Ploylessness * Amanda Diva – Hot Shit *

Malik Yusef Malik Yusef El Shabazz Jones (born April 4, 1971) is an American spoken word artist, poet, rapper, writer, composer, producer and director based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Early life He was raised in Chicago's South Side neighborho ...

– I Spit * Asha Bandele – Morning Was My Mentor *

Malcolm Jamal Warner Malcolm-Jamal Warner (born August 18, 1970) is an American actor. He rose to prominence for his role as Theodore Huxtable on the NBC sitcom ''The Cosby Show'', which earned him a nomination for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Ac ...

– I Love My Woman

Episode 6

* Sekou the Misfit – I'm a Rapper * Steve Connell – Why Not Wine Coolers * Georgia Me – NigGods * Louis Reyes Rivera – Bullet Cry * Jessica Care Moore – I'm a Hip Hop Cheerleader * Keith Murray – Man Child.

Episode 7

* Denizen Kane – Lost and Found *

– If Only Out of Vanity * Big Rube – Alphabet Acrobat *

Wood Harris Sherwin David "Wood" Harris (born October 17, 1969) is an American actor. He has portrayed the drug kingpin Avon Barksdale on the HBO crime drama ''The Wire'', cocaine dealer Ace in '' Paid in Full'' and high school football player Julius Campbe ...

– Night Song * Goldie – No title * Regie Gibson – For James Marshall Hendrix * Joy Harjo – A Poem to Get Rid of Fear * Linton Kwesi Johnson – If I Was a Top-notch Poet

Season 3 (2004)

Episode 1

* Black Ice – Lone Soldier * Rives – Sign Language * Helena D. Lewis – Stank Breath * Poem-cees – Power *

Mutabaruka Allan Hope (born 1952), better known as Mutabaruka, is a Jamaican Rastafari dub poet, musician, actor, educator, and talk-show host, who developed two of Jamaica's most popular radio programmes, ''The Cutting Edge'' and ''Steppin' Razor''. His ...

– Dis Poem *

Daniel Beaty Daniel Beaty (born December 28, 1975) is an American actor, singer, writer, composer and poet. Beaty is known for his blend of music, movement, and words in such original works as ''Emergence-See'' and ''Through The Night''. Early life Daniel B ...

– Duality Duel * Rupert Estanislao – Empress * Jill Scott – Nothing is for Nothing *

– We Spent the 4th of July in Bed

Episode 2

* Mayda del Valle and Lemon – Tito Puente *

Flaco Navaja José María Avizanda Glaría (born 24 May 1966), better known as Flaco, is a Spanish football coach and former player. He won the Norwegian Football Cup with Molde in 1994. Flaco has played for Rayo Vallecano from 1986 to 1990, where he was a t ...

– Kids Don't Play * Gemineye – Poetic Bloodline * Ursula Rucker – Get Ready * Michael Ellison – Light Skin-did * Ishle Park – Pussy * Ras Baraka – American Poem * Dana Gilmore – Wife, Woman, Friend *

Common Common may refer to: Places * Common, a townland in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland * Boston Common, a central public park in Boston, Massachusetts * Cambridge Common, common land area in Cambridge, Massachusetts * Clapham Common, originally com ...

– God is Freedom

Episode 3

* Poetri – Krispy Kreme *

Emanuel Xavier Emanuel Xavier (born May 3, 1970), is an American poet, spoken word artist, author, editor, and LGBTQ activist born and raised in the Bushwick area of Brooklyn. Associated with the East Village, Manhattan arts scene in New York City, he emerged f ...

– Tradiciones *

Marc Bamuthi Joseph Marc Bamuthi Joseph (born 1975) is a spoken-word poet, dancer, playwright, and actor who frequently directs stand-alone hip-hop theater plays. Early life Joseph was born to Haitian immigrant parents and grew up in Laurelton, Queens, New York ...

– For Pop * Richard Montoya – Miami * Vanessa Hidary – The Hebrew Mamita * Danny Hoch – PSA *

– Homeward * Lemon – Gangsta MCs * Steve Colman – Terrorist Threat

Episode 4

* Black Ice &

– Jammin * Rock Baby – Titty Man * Alix Olson – Women Before * Mike 360 – Twilight Zone *

Cheryl James Cheryl Renee James (born March 28, 1966), better known by her stage name Salt, is an American rapper. She is best known as a member of the female rap trio Salt-N-Pepa, which also includes Pepa (Sandra Denton) and Spinderella ( Deidra "Dee Dee" ...

– We Follow Your Lead * Shappy – I Am That Nerd * Jonzi D – 3000 Casualties of War *

Amalia Ortiz Amalia may refer to: People *Amalia (given name), feminine given name (includes a list of people so named) * Princess Amalia (disambiguation), several princesses with this name Films and television series * ''Amalia'' (1914 film), the first ...

– Cat Calls *

Jimmy Santiago Baca Jimmy Santiago Baca (born January 2, 1952) is an American poet, memoirist, and screenwriter from New Mexico. Early life and education Baca was born in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, in 1952. Abandoned by his parents at the age of two, he lived ...

– from Healing Earthquakes ("Twelve")

Episode 5

– For Trent Lott * Frenchie – Fucking Ain't Conscious * Geoff Trenchard – Of Copper Chipped Teeth *

Chinaka Hodge Chinaka Hodge (born 1984/1985) is an American poet, educator, playwright and screenwriter. She has received national recognition for her publications, especially her artistic work on gentrification. Biography Chinaka Hodge was born in Oakland, C ...

– Barely Audible *

Quincy Troupe Quincy Thomas Troupe, Jr. (born July 22, 1939) is an American poet, editor, journalist and professor emeritus at the University of California, San Diego, in La Jolla, California. He is best known as the biographer of Miles Davis, the jazz music ...

– Forty One Seconds in June, in Salt Lake City, Utah (for Michael Jordan) * Dufflyn – Single Life * MuMs – Brooklyn Queen * Kevin Coval – Jam Master J *

– Love

Episode 6

* Shihan – Sick and Tired * Jason Carney – Out Here * Gina Loring – Somewhere There Is a Poem *

Kanye West Ye ( ; born Kanye Omari West ; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer. Born in Atlanta and raised in Chicago, West gained recognition as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records in the ea ...

– Self Conscious * Jamie Kennedy – Grim Fairy Tale *

Bao Phi Bao Phi is a Vietnamese-American spoken word artist, writer and community activist living in Minnesota. Bao Phi's collection of poems, ''Sông I Sing'', was published in 2011 and, ''Thousand Star Hotel,'' was published in 2017 by Coffee House Pre ...

– You Bring Out the Vietnamese in Me * Roscoe P. Coldchain – Trouble * Mayda del Valle – Mami's Makin' Mambo * Buju Banton – How Long

Episode 7

* Maggie Estep – Happy * Malak Salaam – Warrior's Love * Joel Chmara – Sweet Tooth Tollbooth School Year * Flowmentalz – The Payphone *

– Coded Language * Georgia Me – Hit Like a Man * Deb Young – Children of a Lesser God *

Smokey Robinson William "Smokey" Robinson Jr. (born February 19, 1940) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and former record executive director. He was the founder and front man of the Motown vocal group the Miracles, for which he was also chief ...

– A Black American

Season 4 (2005)

Episode 1

– Knock, Knock * Rives – Kite * Nafessa Monroe – White * Mark Gonzales – As with Most Men *

Zena Edwards Zena Edwards (born 1960s) is a British writer, poet, performer and multidisciplinary collaborator, who explores her African roots in work that utilises her musical talents. She has performed internationally at festivals, as well as in schools and ...

– Laugh * Oscar Brown Jr. – Children of Children *

– Women of Juarez * Black Ice – Or Die *

MC Lyte Lana Michele Moorer (born October 11, 1970), better known by her stage name MC Lyte, is an American rapper, DJ, actress and entrepreneur. Considered one of the pioneers of female rap, Lyte first gained fame in the late 1980s, becoming the first ...

– I Was Born

Episode 2

* Gemineye – What Are You Fighting For? * Bonnie – My Man *

Javon Johnson Javon Johnson is an American spoken word poet, writer, and professor. He is the director of African American and African Diaspora Studies in the Department of Interdisciplinary, Gender, and Ethnic Studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, an ...

– Elementary *

– What I Will * Rachel and George McKibbons – Multi-tasking * Vanessa Hidary – Fling Gone Awry * Flowmentalz – Constipation *

Nikki Patin Nikki may refer to: Arts and entertainment Fictional characters * Nikki (Barbie), a fashion doll in the Barbie toy line * Nikki (comics), a Marvel Comics character * Nikki and Paulo, from the TV series ''Lost'' * Nikki, the mascot of Swapnote#Nik ...

– Sweat *

Nikky Finney Nikky Finney (born Lynn Carol Finney on August 26, 1957, in Conway, South Carolina) is an American poet. She was the Guy Davenport Endowed Professor of English at the University of Kentucky for twenty years. In 2013, she accepted a position at t ...

– Girlfriends Train *

– 18 years

Episode 3

– Diallo *

– America Kicks Ass * Tish Benson – Fifth Word Email *

Kelly Tsai Kelly may refer to: Art and entertainment * Kelly (Kelly Price album) * Kelly (Andrea Faustini album) * ''Kelly'' (musical), a 1965 musical by Mark Charlap * "Kelly" (song), a 2018 single by Kelly Rowland * ''Kelly'' (film), a 1981 Canadia ...

– Mao *

Tracy Morgan Tracy Jamal Morgan (born November 10, 1968) is an American stand-up comedian and actor best known for his television work as a cast member on ''Saturday Night Live'' (1996–2003) and for his role as Tracy Jordan in the sitcom ''30 Rock'' (2006 ...

– Feeling Fucked Up * Will Bell – So I Run *Morris Stegosaurus – Big Man II * Dawn Saylor – Take You To Brooklyn *

Michael Eric Dyson Michael Eric Dyson (born October 23, 1958) is an American academic, author, ordained minister, and radio host. He is a professor in the College of Arts and Science and in the Divinity School at Vanderbilt University. Described by Michael A. Fletch ...

– Intellectual MCs *

KRS-One Lawrence "Kris" Parker (born August 20, 1965), better known by his stage names KRS-One (; an abbreviation of "Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone") and Teacha, is an American rapper from New York City. He rose to prominence as part of ...

and

Doug E. Fresh Doug E. Fresh (born September 17, 1966) is a Barbados-born American rapper, record producer, and beatboxer, also known as the "Human Beat Box". The pioneer of 20th-century American beatboxing, Fresh is able to accurately imitate drum machines an ...

– 2nd Quarter

Episode 4

* Poetri – Dating Myself * Julian Curry – Nigger, Niggas, Niggaz * Ishle Park – Open Letter to Soldier * Taylor Mali – Like Lily Like Wilson *

Adele Givens Willadele Givens is an American comedian, actress and writer. Beginning her career during the late–1980s in comedy, Givens television appearances include ''The Hughleys'', '' Moesha'', ''The Parkers'', ''Comedy Central Presents'', ''Def Comed ...

– That Shit Ain't Funny * Kevin Coval – My g-dself Loose * Yolanda Kae Wilkinson – Circa Valentine's Day *

Amir Sulaiman Emir (; ar, أمير ' ), sometimes transliterated amir, amier, or ameer, is a word of Arabic origin that can refer to a male monarch, aristocrat, holder of high-ranking military or political office, or other person possessing actual or ceremo ...

– Danger * Floetry – Everybody Heard

Episode 5

* Lemon – Love Poem * Regie Cabico – You Bring Out the Writer in Me * Rafael Casal – Abortion *

Kim Fields Kim Victoria Fields-Morgan ( Fields, formerly Freeman; born May 12, 1969) is an American actress and director. Fields is best known for her roles as Dorothy "Tootie" Ramsey on the NBC sitcom '' The Facts of Life'' (1979–1988), and as Regine Hu ...

– How Come * Reg E. Gaines – I Don't Feel Like Writing * Jon Goode – Barbara * Dana Gilmore – Wife, Woman, Friend, Pt. 2 * Rita Dove – Black on a Saturday Night * Talib Kweli – Lonely People

Episode 6

* Flaco Navaja – Revolution * Liza Jesse Peterson – Waitress * Robert Karimi – Get Down with Your Catholic Muslim Self * Triple Black – Love Poems * Bonafide Rojas – In front of the Class * Laura "Piece" Kelly – Central District * BessKepp – Rotten Pomegranates * Michael Franti – Rock the Nation *

Ruby Dee Ruby Dee (October 27, 1922 – June 11, 2014) was an American actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist, and civil rights activist. She originated the role of "Ruth Younger" in the stage and film versions of ''A Raisin in the Sun'' (19 ...

– Tupac

Episode 7

* Georgia Me – Bitch Ass Nigga * Jus Cus – Homeland Security *

– Dear Father * Marlon Esquerra – Morning Papers * Marvin Tate – My Life to the Present * Martin Espada – Imagine the Angels of Bread * Alix Olson – America on Sale *

– Pornographic Content * Ani DiFranco – Coming Up *

Mike Epps Michael Elliot Epps (born November 18, 1970) is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He played Day-Day Jones in ''Next Friday'' and its sequel, ''Friday After Next'', and also appeared in ''The Hangover'' and ''The Hangover Part III'' as "Bla ...

– I Love the Hood

Episode 8

* Mayda del Valle – Hood Days * Andy Buck – *69 * Faraji Salim – Star Spangled Banner * Bob Holman – Rock & Roll Mythology * Patrick Washington – Letter to the Editor *

Tara Betts Tara Betts is the author of three full-length poetry collections: ''Refuse to Disappear,'' which was published in June 2022 with The Word Works, ''Break the Habit'', which was published in October 2016 with Trio House Press, and her debut collect ...

– Switch * Paul Flores – Brown Dreams * muMs – The Truth Parts I & II * Buttaflysoul – Queer Eye * Dead Prez – 4 the Hood

Episode 9

– I'm So Deep * Aysiha Knight – Until * Buddy Wakefield – Convenience Store * Shihan – The Auction Network * Miguel Algarin – Met Walking * Kendra Urdang – To Every Man Who Never Called Himself a Feminist * Speech – Night Time Demons * Red Storm – My Debut *

Universes (poetic theatre ensemble) Universes (stylized UNIVERSES) is a New York-based American ensemble company of multi-disciplined writers and performers who fuse poetry, theater, jazz, hip hop, politics, down home blues and Spanish boleros to create what has been describe ...

(Steven, Mildred & Gamal) – Don't Front * Common – A Letter to the Law

Episode 10

* Tommy Bottoms – Basic Economics *

– Three Frenzied Days * Joe Hernandez-Kolski – Cool * Marc Batmuthi Joseph – Move * Denizen Kane – Love Song * Aya De Leon – Cellulite *

Musiq Taalib Hassan Johnson (born September 16, 1977), better known by the stage name Musiq Soulchild or simply Musiq (pronounced "music") is an American singer and songwriter whose style blends R&B, funk, blues, jazz, and gospel influences fused w ...

– Pieces of this Life *

– My Life is Real * Yusef Komunyakaa – The Sure Beat *

, Georgia Me,

– First Taste

Season 5 (2006)

Episode 1

– Never Let Me Down * Dahlak Brathwaite – Just Another Routine Check * Claudia Alick – Employed Poor * Black Ice – Imagine * Gideon Grody-Patinkin – Touching *

Avery Brooks Avery Franklin Brooks (born October 2, 1948) is an American actor, director, singer, narrator and educator. He is best known for his television roles as Captain Benjamin Sisko on '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'', as Hawk on '' Spenser: For Hire'' ...

– from

Purlie Victorious ''Purlie'' is a musical with a book by Ossie Davis, Philip Rose, and Peter Udell, lyrics by Udell and music by Gary Geld. It is based on Davis's 1961 play ''Purlie Victorious'', which was later made into the 1963 film ''Gone Are the Days!'' and ...

(by

Ossie Davis Raiford Chatman "Ossie" Davis (December 18, 1917 – February 4, 2005) was an American actor, director, writer, and activist. He was married to Ruby Dee, with whom he frequently performed, until his death. He and his wife were named to the NAACP ...

) *

Lauryn Hill Lauryn Noelle Hill (born May 26, 1975) is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and record producer. She is often regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time, as well as being one of the most influential musicians of her generation. ...

– Motives and Thoughts * Rachel McKibbens – After School Special *

– Fuck

Ashton Kutcher Christopher Ashton Kutcher (; born February 7, 1978) is an American actor, producer, entrepreneur, and former model. He is the recipient of various accolades, including a People's Choice Award, and nominations for two Young Artist Awards, a S ...

and How I Got the Lead On

Jeopardy ''Jeopardy!'' is an American game show created by Merv Griffin. The show is a quiz competition that reverses the traditional question-and-answer format of many quiz shows. Rather than being given questions, contestants are instead given genera ...

Episode 2

Al Letson Al Letson (born August 8, 1972) is an American writer, journalist, and radio and podcast host. Since 2013, he has served as the host of the radio show and podcast '' Reveal'' from the Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX. Before that, he cr ...

– The Ball the Rim and Him * Dan Sully and Tim Stafford – Death From Below * Georgia Me – For Your Protection *

John Legend John Roger Stephens (born December 28, 1978), known professionally as John Legend, is an American singer, songwriter, pianist, and record producer. He began his musical career by working behind the scenes, playing piano on Lauryn Hill's " Ever ...

– Again *

Caroline Harvey Caroline Harvey may refer to: * Caroline Harvey, pseudonym of English writer Joanna Trollope * Caroline Harvey (ice hockey) Caroline "K.K." Harvey (born October 14, 2002) is an American college ice hockey defenceman for Wisconsin and member of t ...

– Spoons *

Bounty Killer Rodney Basil Price (born 12 June 1972), known as Bounty Killer, is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall deejay. AllMusic describes him as "one of the most aggressive dancehall stars of the '90s, a street-tough rude boy with an unrepentant flair ...

– Look Into My Eyes; *

– I Want to Kiss You * Will "Da Real One" Bell – Diary of the Reformed *

Alicia Keys Alicia Augello Cook (born January 25, 1981), known professionally as Alicia Keys, is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. A classically trained pianist, Keys started composing songs when she was 12 and was signed at 15 years old by Col ...

– P.O.W.

Episode 3

* Reg E. Gaines and

Savion Glover Savion Glover (born November 19, 1973) is an American tap dancer, actor, and choreographer. Early life The youngest of three sons, Glover was born to a white father, who left the family before he was born, and a black mother. Glover's great grand ...

– Pawn Shop * Tommy Chunn – Computer Wordplay * Scorpio Blues – Second Guessing * Gemineye – Penny for Your Thoughts *

– Nueva York * Mayda del Valle – To All the Boys I've Loved Before * Rev. Run – Peter Piper * Aulelei Love – Same Cell, A Poem for Women in Prison * Mike Booker – Hoodology *

– Gang Bangin'

Episode 4

* The Poem-cees – Cheatin' * Geoff Trenchard – Ode to my Bathroom * Marty McConnell – Instructions for a Body *

Nikki Giovanni Yolande Cornelia "Nikki" Giovanni Jr. (born June 7, 1943) is an American poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator. One of the world's most well-known African-American poets,Jane M. Barstow, Yolanda Williams Page (eds)"Nikki Giovanni" ''E ...

– Nikki-Rosa *

– Calypso *

Joaquin Zihuatanejo Joaquin Zihuatanejo (born 1971 in Dallas, Texas) is an American slam poet and teacher. In 2004, Zihuatanejo competed in the National Poetry Slam as part of the Dallas Poetry Slam team, which placed third. He also appeared on HBO's Def Poetry in 20 ...

– This is a Suit * Ishle Park – Sa-I-Gu *

– Nigger-Reecan Blues * Floetry x2 – Fantasize

Episode 5

* Poetri – Driving * Sharrif Simmons— Fuck What You Heard *

Michael D. Ellison Michael D. Ellison (aka MIKE-E, Mike Ellis, Michael Ellison) is an African American recording artist. He is well known for his slam poetry performances and his involvement with the Detroit Concert of Colors annual event. Biography Ellison was bor ...

– Mezeker Means to Remember *

Phylicia Rashad Phylicia Rashad ( ) (née Ayers-Allen; born June 19, 1948) is an American actress, singer and director who is dean of the College of Fine Arts at Howard University. She is best known for her role as Clair Huxtable on the NBC sitcom ''The Cosby S ...

– On Status (by Vivian Ayers) * Ratsack – Free the Toes * Abyss – She * Kevin Coval – Nothing Fight * Mollie Angelheart – Psychotic Bitch * Flomentalz – Talkin' to God * Thea Monyee and Gaknew – A Different World

Episode 6

Wyclef Jean Nel Ust Wyclef Jean (; born October 17, 1969) is a Haitian rapper, musician, and actor. At the age of nine, Jean immigrated to the United States with his family. He first achieved fame as a member of the New Jersey hip hop group the Fugees, a ...

– Immigrant * Nayeli Adorador-Knudsen – Priceless * Michael Cirelli – Love Song for Kelis * M'Reld – Ready for Love * Red Storm – Snake in the Grass * Kelly Tsai – Aftershocks * Paul Mabon – The Toothbrush * Kevin Derrig – Andrew *

Mighty Mike McGee Michael Matthew McGee (born January 12, 1976), more commonly known as Mighty Mike McGee, is an American slam poet. Biography McGee is the oldest of eight children from several marriages. He has spent most of his life in and around San Jo ...

– Like * Narubi Selah – Uncle Benz *

Ise Lyfe Ise Lyfe (pronounced "Ice Life"), born Isaac Patrick-Francis Brown, is a spoken word and hip-hop artist as well as an educator, community organizer, and activist in his native Oakland, California. He won the 2001 National Poetry Slam Competition a ...

– Popular Dirt

Episode 7

– Bittersweet *

Ursula Rucker Ursula Rucker is an American spoken word recording artist. Rucker is known for a diverse repertoire, and for using techniques that catch her listeners' attention. Biography Rucker was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she wa ...

– What a Woman Must Do * Rafael Casal – Barbie and Ken 101 * Terry Creech – Lost Bird * Thadra Sheridan – Bad Boyfriend *

– Hip Hop * Shihan – In Response *

Sonia Sanchez Sonia Sanchez (born Wilsonia Benita Driver; September 9, 1934) is an American poet, writer, and professor. She was a leading figure in the Black Arts Movement and has written over a dozen books of poetry, as well as short stories, critical essay ...

– Our Vision Is Our Voice * Amir Sulaiman – She Said, I Prefer A Broken Neck... * Lemon and Flaco – Boriquas

Episode 8

* Preach R Sun – Cotton * Steve Connell and Sekou The Misfit – America Calls *

– Poem For A Friend * Amanda Diva – 40 Emcees * Al B. Back – Super Negro * Sista Queen – Try Being A Lady * Jerry Quickley – 3-Part Bitter X-girlfriend #167249-B *

Oscar Brown, Jr. Oscar Brown Jr. (October 10, 1926May 29, 2005) was an American singer, songwriter, playwright, poet, civil rights activist, and actor. Aside from his career, Brown ran unsuccessfully for office in both the Illinois state legislature and the U. ...

– This Beach *

– A City In Tragedy *

Brother J Brother J (born Jason Hunter) is an American hip hop artist and is a member of the American hip hop group X Clan, which used to include Professor X the Overseer, Paradise the Architect, and Sugar Shaft. In 2016, ''Design & Trend'' magazine name ...

– Atlan *

– Be Known

Episode 9

– Mike Check * Lemon – Poor People * Tamara Blue – Thick Chicks * Rives – Op-talk *

Otep Shamaya Otep Shamaya is an American singer and rapper, best known as the lead vocalist and founder of the eponymous metal band Otep. Career Shamaya made her debut in 2000 with her band OTEP, and released the full-length albums ''Sevas Tra'' (June 200 ...

– Dedicated To My Enemy * Heru Ptah – Why *

Sharon Olds Sharon Olds (born November 12, 1942) is an American poet. Olds won the first San Francisco Poetry Center Award in 1980, the 1984 National Book Critics Circle Award, and the 2013 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry.

– Self Portrait, Rear View * Perre Shelton – Dandelion *

Consequence Consequence may refer to: * Logical consequence, also known as a ''consequence relation'', or ''entailment'' * In operant conditioning, a result of some behavior * Consequentialism, a theory in philosophy in which the morality of an act is determi ...

– Friend Zone * Jason Carney – Our Soldiers *

Black Thought Tariq Luqmaan Trotter (born October 3, 1973), better known as Black Thought, is an American rapper, actor and the lead MC of the Philadelphia-based hip hop group the Roots, which he co-founded with drummer Questlove (Ahmir Thompson). Regarded ...

– Untitled

Episode 10

* Gina Loring – You Move Me * Rock Baby – That Sweet That Funk * Chinaka Hodge – Cousin *

Denizen Kane Dennis Kim, better known by his stage name Denizen Kane, is an underground rapper and spoken word artist. Denizen Kane is co-founder of the underground rap crew Typical Cats, with fellow MCs Qwazaar and Qwel, and producers / DJs Kid Knish and DJ ...

– Patriot Act *

– Amman * Kristiana Colon – From the Clay * Jimmy Tran – Mediocre Penis * Flaco Navaja – Dimple *

Eve Ensler V, formerly Eve Ensler (; born May 25, 1953), is an American playwright, performer, feminist, and activist. V is best known for her play ''The Vagina Monologues''.

– My Father's House * Black Ice, Poetri and Shihan – We Are Men

Season 6 (2007)

Episode 1

* DMX – The Industry *

Big Mike Big Mike is a nickname of: People with the nickname * Stormzy (born 1993), British grime artist and rapper * Mike Abrams (criminal) (died 1898), American underworld criminal * Michael Clemente (1908-1987), American mobster * Michael Clarke Dunca ...

– Sexy * Asia – The Waiting Hour * Dan Vaughn & Dasha Kelly – Six Million * Kelly Tsai – Grey Matter * Red Storm – Black Barbie Doll * Shanelle Gabriel – Why I Love You * Idris Goodwin – What is They Feedin' Our Kids * Jill Scott – Ain't a Ceiling

Episode 2

Dahlak Braithwaite Dahlak may refer to: * Dahlak Archipelago, an island chain in the Red Sea * Dahlik language, a language spoken on three of those islands and in parts of Eritrea *Dahlak Subregion Dahlak Subregion is a subregion in the Northern Red Sea region of E ...

– Peculiar Evolution * Skim – Your Eyes * Eamon Mahone & Paul Graham – Black Irish * Tahani Salah – Hate *

George Watsky George Virden Watsky (born September 15, 1986), better known mononymously as Watsky, is an American rapper, singer, musician, songwriter, record producer, poet, author, and illustrator. Watsky broke out as a rapper with his viral video "Pale k ...

– V For Virgin * Shannon Leigh – Sudanese Children * Pat's Justice – Innocent Criminal *

Lyfe Jennings Chester Jermaine "Lyfe" Jennings (born June 3, 1978) is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter, record producer, and instrumentalist. He plays the guitar, bass, and piano which he integrates into his music. The ''New York Times'' referre ...

– Rough Stuff *

Matisyahu Matthew Paul Miller (born June 30, 1979), known by his stage name Matisyahu (; ), is an American reggae singer, rapper, beatboxer Beatboxing (also beat boxing) is a form of vocal percussion primarily involving the art of mimicking drum mac ...

– Late Night In The Field *

Talib Kweli Talib Kweli Greene (; born October 3, 1975) is an American rapper. He earned recognition early on through his collaboration with fellow Brooklyn rapper Mos Def in 1997, when they formed the group Black Star. Kweli's musical career continued with ...

– Hell

Episode 3

Sarah Kay Sarah Kay is a professor of French at New York University. Education Kay was a student in the UK at the University of Oxford. Career She started her teaching career at the University of Liverpool then moved to the University of Cambridge. She w ...

– Hands * Riva & Sciryl – My Best Friend (Hip Hop) * Rafael Casal – First Week Of A Break-Up * Meilani Clay – Lost * Shihan – Father's Day * Shannon Matesky – My Space * Carlos Andres Gomez – What's Genocide *

Carole King Carole King Klein (born Carol Joan Klein; February 9, 1942) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who has been active since 1958, initially as one of the staff songwriters at 1650 Broadway and later as a solo artist. Regarded as one ...

– Touchstone *

Natalie Stewart Natalie "the Floacist" Stewart (born 13 February 1979) is an English rapper, singer, songwriter, spoken word artist, poet, and actress. Born in Germany and raised in London, she performed in various singing and dancing competitions as a child, a ...

– Her Story *

Jamal Joseph Jamal Joseph (formerly Eddie Joseph; ...

– Ricky Do & The 4th Of July

Episode 4

* Oveous Maximus – Salcedo's Breakdown * Sonya Renee Taylor – Connections *

Anis Mojgani Anis Mojgani (Persian: انیس مژگانی) (born June 13, 1977) is an American spoken word poet, visual artist and musician based in Portland, Oregon. Mojgani has been characterized as a "geek genius" with "fiercely hopeful word arias." Ear ...

– For Those Who Can Still Ride an Airplane for the First Time * Rives – Dirty Talk * Mush – Next Wednesday * Joe Hernandez-Kolski – No Disclaimers * African-American Shakespear – Will You Be There *

David Banner Lavell William Crump (born April 11, 1974), better known by his stage name David Banner, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Born in Brookhaven, Mississippi, Banner's family moved to Jackson, Mississippi, where he was raised. Ban ...

– What About Us * Sunni Patterson – We Made It

Episode 5

– Propers *

– Apology To My Unborn * Alvin Lau – What Tiger Said * Saddi Kali – Goin' Platinum In 2 Days * Liza Garza – My Everything * Lamont Carey – I Can't Read * Brian Dykstra – Pushing Bush * Vanessa Hidary – Phd In Him * Basikknowledge – Numbers * George Clinton – Dope Dog

Episode 6

* Black Ice – The Ugly Show * Mayda Del Valle – The porn industry * Steve Colman – I Want To Eat Your Pu**y * Georgia Me – The Promiseland *

– Back To The Now *

– Nails * Poetri – Monsters In My Stomach *

– Daddy's Song * Lemon – Experience *

Nelly Furtado Nelly Kim Furtado (; ; born December 2, 1978) is a Canadian singer and songwriter. Furtado has sold over 40 million records worldwide making her one of the most successful Canadian artists. She first gained fame with her trip hop-inspired deb ...

– Nevis

Reboot

Chance the Rapper Chancelor Johnathan Bennett (born April 16, 1993), known professionally as Chance the Rapper, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, and record producer. Born and raised in Chicago, Bennett released his debut mixtape '' 10 Day'' in 2012. He ...

will host this season.

References

External links

* *
Is There A Future For Spoken Word? @ dropmagazine.com
{{HBONetwork Shows Works about slam poetry HBO original programming 2002 American television series debuts 2007 American television series endings English-language television shows Hip hop television Def Jam Recordings