Praised by the New York Times as an 'exuberant, daringly fresh series that breaks poetry out of the neat little boxes it's so often put it,' Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry features a spectrum of voices, from struggling urban poets who've cut their teeth in speakeasies and small clubs across the country, to the icons of the form, to celebrated actors, singers, dancers, and comedians writing and sharing poems for the first time. This season's special guests include Dave Chappelle, Common, Savion Glover, Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, Alicia Keyes, Eve Ensler, John Legend, Phylicia Rashad, Smokey Robinson, Kanye West and many others. Each installment of Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry is hosted by the highly regarded hip-hop artist and actor Mos Def (Golden Globe nominee for HBO Films' 'Something the Lord Made'). The series is directed by Stan Lathan, who, along with Simmons, executive produced the long-running hit series Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam, which was also directed by Lathan. Recognizing the power of urban poetry on modern culture, top rap music impresario Simmons, whose Def Jam Records launched the careers of artists such as LL Cool J and Jay-Z, teamed up with HBO to create Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry in 2001, turning the spotlight on the freshest and most fearless voices in America today. Previous seasons have featured performances by special guests ranging from Cedric the Entertainer and Caroline Kennedy to Benjamin Bratt and Erykah Badu.
6 September 1983, Bryan, Texas, USA
26 February 1971, Dallas, Texas, USA
23 September 1970, Buffalo, New York, USA
7 November 1979
23 October 1958, Detroit, Michigan, USA
July 17, 1973 in Kingston, Jamaica
4 April 1972, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
12 May 1969, New York City, New York, USA
1972, Jamaica
17 September 1966, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
November 29, 1973 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA
19 June 1948, Houston, Texas, USA
18 August 1970, Jersey City, New Jersey, USA
1975, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
29 August 1975, Pittsburg, California, USA
6 February 1976, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
18 November 1970, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
24 August 1973, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
3 October 1975, Brooklyn, New York, USA
19 February 1940, Detroit, Michigan, USA
January 21, 1977
20 August 1965, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA