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

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

poetry Poetry (from the Greek language, Greek word ''poiesis'', "making") is a form of literature, literary art that uses aesthetics, aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language to evoke meaning (linguistics), meanings in addition to, or in ...

television series hosted by Mos Def and airing on

HBO Home Box Office (HBO) is an American pay television service, 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 based a ...

between 2002 and 2007. The series features performances by established and up-and-coming spoken word poets. Performances also included 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-Gla ...

Danny Simmons Daniel Simmons Jr. is a Neo-African abstract expressionist painter, a published author, poet and philanthropist. He is the older brother of hip-hop impresario Russell Simmons and rapper Joseph Simmons ("Reverend Run" of Run–D.M.C.). Simm ...

, 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 Black Entertainment Television, BET's ''Real Husbands of Hollywood''. He has produced and directed nume ...

, 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. He has p ...

, the show is a

spin-off Spin-off, Spin Off, Spin-Off, or Spinoff may refer to: Entertainment and media *Spinoff (media), a media work derived from an existing work *''The Spinoff'', a New Zealand current affairs magazine * ''Spin Off'' (Canadian game show), a 2013 Canad ...

of the popular ''

Def Comedy Jam ''Def Comedy Jam'' is an HBO television series produced by Russell Simmons, Stan Lathan, and Bob Sumner. The series was hosted by Martin Lawrence and Joe Torry in its first six seasons, Mike Epps in its seventh season, and D. L. Hughley in its ...

'' which began airing on HBO in the 1990s.

About

The series included historical legendary poets such as The Last Poets,

Nikki Giovanni Yolande Cornelia "Nikki" Giovanni Jr. (June 7, 1943 – December 9, 2024) was an American poet, writer, commentator, activist and educator. One of the world's best-known African-American poets, her work includes poetry anthologies, poetry recor ...

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 b ...

, and

Sonia Sanchez Sonia Sanchez (born Wilsonia Benita Driver; September 8, 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 essays ...

. 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,

Jessica Care Moore Jessica Care Moore (born October 28, 1971) is an American poet. She is the CEO of Moore Black Press, executive producer of BLACK WOMEN ROCK!, and founder of the literacy-driven jess Care moore Foundation. An internationally renowned poet, playwr ...

, Lemon and openly gay poet

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

. Though technically not a

poetry slam A poetry slam is a competitive art event in which poets perform spoken word, spoken word poetry before a live audience and a panel of judges. Poetry slams began in Chicago in the 1980s, with the first slam competition designed to move poetry rec ...

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

movement, and utilized many of

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

Beau Sia Beaufort Benjamin 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 ...

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, Mayda Del Valle, Mike Mcgee,

Alix Olson Alix L. Olson (born 1975) is an American poet who works exclusively in spoken word. She uses her work to address issues of capitalism, racism, sexism, homophobia, heterosexism, misogyny, and patriarchy. She identifies as a queer feminist. Early ...

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

, such as John S. Hall, have acknowledged slam's influence on the show. In a 2005 interview, Hall was quoted as saying: In a 2005 interview, Bob Holman, who founded the

Nuyorican Poets Cafe Nuyorican is a portmanteau word blending "New York" (or "Nueva York" in Spanish) and "Puerto Rican," referring to Puerto Rican migration to New York City, Puerto Ricans located in or around New York City, their culture, or their descendants (es ...

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 Stre ...

. Directed by

, the show featured poets

, Suheir Hammad, Staceyann Chin,

Lemon The lemon (''Citrus'' × ''limon'') is a species of small evergreen tree in the ''Citrus'' genus of the flowering plant family Rutaceae. A true lemon is a hybrid of the citron and the bitter orange. Its origins are uncertain, but some ...

, Mayda Del Valle, Georgia Me, 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 a Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ce ...

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) developed and broadcast the HBO poetry show '' Brave New Voices'', 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, actor and television host. He hosted BET's '' ComicView'' during the 1993–1994 season and '' Def Comedy Jam'' ...

– Untitled * Sarah Jones – Your Revolution *

– Give Me a Chance * Willie Perdomo – How Beautiful We Really Are *Abyss – God Gave Me Grey Skies *

The Last Poets The Last Poets is a poetry collective and musical group that arose in the late 1960s as part of the African-American civil rights movement and black nationalism. The name was inspired by revolutionary South African poet Keorapetse Kgositsile who ...

– Take Your Time * IN-Q – When Hip-Hop Was Fun * J. Ivy – 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 comedy, stand-up comedian and actor. He starred in and co-created the satirical comedy sketch series ''Chappelle's Show'' (2003–2006) before quitting in the middle ...

– The Corner Store *

– 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. His students include musicians Ani DiFranco and Mike Doughty. His plays include ''The Circle ...

– 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. Known for his work in both the screen and music industries, his accolades include an Academy Award, a Grammy Award ...

– Off the Hizzle for Shizzle

Episode 2

* Danny Hoch – Corner Talk, September * Patricia Smith – Skinhead *

Dante Basco Dante Roman Basco (born August 29, 1975) is an American actor. He is known for his role as Rufio, the leader of the Lost Boys, in Steven Spielberg's ''Hook'', Dolph in the cult film '' But I'm a Cheerleader'', the lead character Ben Mercado in th ...

– Nikki * Maggie Estep – Emotional Idiot * Black Ice – Truth Is * Kent Foreman – Epiphany * Roger Bonair-Agard – How the Ghetto Loves Us Back *

Erykah Badu Erica Abi Wright (born February 26, 1971), known professionally as Erykah Badu, is an American singer and songwriter. Influenced by rhythm and blues, R&B, Soul music, soul, and hip hop, Badu rose to prominence in the late 1990s when her debut al ...

– Friends, fans, and artists must meet

Episode 3

* Lemon – Where I'm From and A Toast * Bassey Ikpi – Sometimes silence is the loudest kind of noise *

– 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. ...

– 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 * Big Poppa E – Wussy Boy * La Bruja – WTC * Anthony Morales – Story Avenue Stuck * Amalia Ortiz – Some Days * Oscar Brown Jr. – 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, record producer, and director based in Chicago, Illinois. Early life Jones' surname means "King Joseph" (''Malik'' and ''Yusuf'', respectivel ...

– I Spit * Asha Bandele – Morning Was My Mentor * Malcolm Jamal Warner – 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 * Staceyann Chin – If Only Out of Vanity * Big Rube – Alphabet Acrobat *

Wood Harris Sherwin David "Wood" Harris (born October 17, 1969) is an American actor. He first garnered attention for his role as Motaw in the Jeff Pollack film '' Above the Rim'' (1994), prior to portraying high school football player Julius Campbell in t ...

– 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 CD (born 26 December 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 ''Stepp ...

– Dis Poem *

Daniel Beaty Daniel Beaty 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 Beaty holds a BA with Ho ...

– Duality Duel * Rupert Estanislao – Empress * Jill Scott – Nothing is for Nothing * Suheir Hammad – We Spent the 4th of July in Bed

Episode 2

* Mayda Del Valle and Lemon – Tito Puente * Flaco Navaja – 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: As an Irish surname, it is anglicised from Irish Gaelic surname Ó Comáin. Places * Common, a townland in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland * Boston Common, a central public park in Boston, Massachusetts * Cambridge Com ...

– God is Freedom

Episode 3

* Poetri – Krispy Kreme *

– Tradiciones * Marc Bamuthi Joseph – For Pop * Richard Montoya – Miami * Vanessa Hidary – The Hebrew Mamita * Danny Hoch – PSA * Bassey Ikpi – Homeward * Lemon – Gangsta MCs * Steve Colman – Terrorist Threat

Episode 4

* Black Ice & Staceyann Chin – Jammin * Rock Baby – Titty Man * Alix Olson – Women Before * Mike 360 – Twilight Zone *

Cheryl James Cheryl Renee James (born March 28, 1966), also known as 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" Roper). James sta ...

– We Follow Your Lead * Shappy – I Am That Nerd * Jonzi D – 3000 Casualties of War * Amalia Ortiz – Cat Calls * Jimmy Santiago Baca – from Healing Earthquakes ("Twelve")

Episode 5

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

Chinaka Hodge Chinaka Hodge (born 1984) 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, Califo ...

– 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 musi ...

– 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 and record producer. One of the most prominent figures in hip-hop, he is known for his varying musical style and polarizing cultural and political commentary. After ...

– Self Conscious * Jamie DeWolf (formerly Jamie Kennedy) – Grim Fairy Tale * Bao Phi – 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 R&B and soul singer, songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. He was the founder and frontman of the pioneering Motown vocal group the Miracles, for which he ...

– A Black American

Season 4 (2005)

Episode 1

– Knock, Knock * Rives – Kite * Nafessa Monroe – White * Mark Gonzales – As with Most Men * Zena Edwards – Laugh * Oscar Brown Jr. – Children of Children * Amalia Ortiz – 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. Considered one of the pioneers of female rap, MC Lyte first gained fame in the late 1980s, becoming the first female rapper to release a ...

– I Was Born

Episode 2

* Gemineye – What Are You Fighting For? * Bonnie – My Man * Javon Johnson – Elementary * Suheir Hammad – What I Will * Rachel and George McKibbons – Multi-tasking * Vanessa Hidary – Fling Gone Awry * Flowmentalz – Constipation * Nikki Patin – 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 ...

– Girlfriends Train *

– 18 Years

Episode 3

* Bassey Ikpi – Diallo * John S. Hall – America Kicks Ass * Tish Benson – Fifth Word Email * Kelly Tsai – Mao *

Tracy Morgan Tracy Jamal Morgan (born November 10, 1968) is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He was a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy television series ''Saturday Night Live'' from 1996 to 2003, and played Tracy Jordan in the NBC sitcom ''30 Ro ...

– 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, Baptist 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. Fletche ...

– 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 the Bronx. He rose to prominence as part of the ...

and Doug E. Fresh – 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 Adele 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 Comedy Jam'' ...

– That Shit Ain't Funny * Kevin Coval – My g-dself Loose * Yolanda Kae Wilkinson – Circa Valentine's Day * Amir Sulaiman – Danger * Floetry – Everybody Heard

Episode 5

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

Kim Fields Kim Fields Morgan ( Fields; born May 12, 1969) is an American actress and director. She first gained fame as a child actress on the television series ''Good Times'' (1978–1979), and rose to greater prominence for her role as Dorothy "Tootie" R ...

– 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 (born Ruby Ann Wallace; October 27, 1922 – June 11, 2014) was an American actress. She was married to Ossie Davis, with whom she frequently performed until his death in 2005. She received numerous accolades, including an Emmy Award, ...

– Tupac

Episode 7

* Georgia Me – Bitch Ass Nigga * Jus Cus – Homeland Security * J. Ivy – 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 * Mos Def – 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 ...

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

Episode 10

* Tommy Bottoms – Basic Economics * Staceyann Chin – 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 his stage name Musiq Soulchild (or simply Musiq; pronounced "music") is an American singer-songwriter. His music blends Rhythm and blues, R&B, funk, blues, jazz, and Gospel music, ...

– Pieces of this Life * Mos De] – My Life is Real * Yusef Komunyakaa – The Sure Beat *

, Georgia Me, Suheir Hammad – First Taste

Season 5 (2006)

Episode 1

* J. Ivy – Never Let Me Down * Dahlak Brathwaite – Just Another Routine Check * Claudia Alick – Employed Poor * Black Ice – Imagine * Gideon Grody-Patinkin – Touching * Avery Brooks – from '' Purlie Victorious'' (by

Ossie Davis Ossie Davis (born Raiford Chatman Davis; December 18, 1917 – February 4, 2005) was an American actor, Film director, director, writer, and activist. He was married to Ruby Dee, with whom he frequently performed, until his death. He received num ...

) *

Lauryn Hill Lauryn Noelle Hill (born May 26, 1975) is an American musician. She is celebrated as one of the most influential musical artists of her generation. Hill is credited with breaking barriers for female rappers, contributing to the popular music, m ...

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

– Fuck

Ashton Kutcher Christopher Ashton Kutcher (; born February 7, 1978) is an American actor, producer and entrepreneur. His accolades include a People's Choice Award and fifteen Teen Choice Awards, in addition to a nomination for a Screen Actors Guild Award. K ...

and How I Got the Lead On Jeopardy

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 c ...

– 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, and pianist. He began his musical career working behind the scenes for other artists, playing piano on Lauryn Hill's " Every ...

– Again * Caroline Harvey – Spoons *

Bounty Killer Rodney Basil Price OD (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 fl ...

– Look Into My Eyes; * Bassey Ikpi – 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 and songwriter. A classically trained pianist, Keys began composing songs at the age of 12 and was signed by Columbia Records at 15. After d ...

– 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-Rosa * Roger Bonair-Agard – Calypso * Joaquin Zihuatanejo – This is a Suit * Ishle Park – Sa-I-Gu * Willie Perdomo – Nigger-Reecan Blues * Floetry x2 – Fantasize

Episode 5

* Poetri – Driving * Sharrif Simmons— Fuck What You Heard * Michael D. Ellison – Mezeker Means to Remember *

Phylicia Rashad Phylicia Rashad ( ) ( Ayers-Allen; born June 19, 1948) is an American actress. She was most recently dean of the College of Fine Arts at Howard University before her three-year contract ended in May 2024. Known for her roles on stage and scree ...

– 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, singer, and record producer. Born in Haiti, Jean emigrated to the Northeastern United States, United States as a child. He gained fame as a founding member of the Fugees, a Ne ...

– 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 – Like * Narubi Selah – Uncle Benz * Ise Lyfe – Popular Dirt

Episode 7

– Bittersweet *

Ursula Rucker Ursula Desire 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 ...

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

– Hip Hop * Shihan – In Response *

– 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 * Big Poppa E – 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. – This Beach * Staceyann Chin – A City In Tragedy * Brother J – Atlan *

– Be Known

Episode 9

* Suheir Hammad – Mike Check * Lemon – Poor People * Tamara Blue – Thick Chicks * Rives – Op-talk * Otep Shamaya– Dedicated To My Enemy * Heru Ptah – Why *

Sharon Olds Sharon Olds (born November 19, 1942) is an American poet. She won the first San Francisco Poetry Center Award in 1980, the 1984 National Book Critics Circle Award, and the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.

– Self Portrait, Rear View * Perre Shelton – Dandelion * Consequence – Friend Zone * Jason Carney – Our Soldiers *

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

– Untitled

Episode 10

* Gina Loring – You Move Me * Rock Baby – That Sweet That Funk * Chinaka Hodge – Cousin * Denizen Kane – 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, author, 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 * Mike Abrams (criminal) (died 1898), American underworld criminal * Michael Clemente (1908–1987), American mobster * Michael Clarke Duncan (1957–2012), American actor sometimes credited a ...

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

George Watsky George Virden Watsky (born September 15, 1986) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, poet, author, and illustrator. Watsky broke out as a rapper with his viral video "Pale kid raps fast" in 2011, which featured his tradem ...

– 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 Contemporary R&B, R&B and soul singer-songwriter, record producer, and instrumentalist. He plays the guitar, Double bass, bass, and piano which he integrates into his music. T ...

– Rough Stuff *

Matisyahu Matthew Paul Miller (born June 30, 1979), known by his stage name Matisyahu (; ), is an American singer, rapper, beatboxer, and musician. Known for blending spiritual themes with reggae, rock and hip hop beatboxing sounds, Matisyahu's 2005 sin ...

– Late Night In The Field *

Talib Kweli Talib Kweli Greene (; born October 3, 1975) is an American rapper. He first earned recognition through his collaboration with fellow Brooklyn rapper Mos Def (now known as Yasiin Bey) in 1997, when they formed the group Black Star. Kweli's music ...

– Hell

Episode 3

* Sarah Kay – 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 renowned for her extensive contributions to popular music. She wrote or co-wrote 118 songs that charted on the Billboard Hot 100, ''Billbo ...

– 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, ...

– Her Story * Jamal Joseph – Ricky Do & The 4th Of July

Episode 4

* Oveous Maximus – Salcedo's Breakdown * Sonya Renee Taylor – Connections * Anis Mojgani – 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), known professionally as 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. Banner gra ...

– What About Us * Sunni Patterson – We Made It

Episode 5

* Big Poppa E – Propers * Bassey Ikpi – 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 * Staceyann Chin – Nails * Poetri – Monsters In My Stomach * Suheir Hammad – Daddy's Song * Lemon – Experience *

Nelly Furtado Nelly Kim Furtado ( , ; born December 2, 1978) is a Canadian singer and songwriter. She has sold over 45 million records, including 35 million in album sales worldwide, making her one of the most successful Canadian artists. Critics have noted ...

– Nevis

Reboot

Chance the Rapper Chancelor Johnathan Bennett (born April 16, 1993), known professionally as Chance the Rapper, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, he released his debut mixtape '' 10 Day'' (2012) during one of his high school suspension ...

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 American English-language television shows Hip-hop television Def Jam Recordings