About this season
Def Poetry, also known as Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry or Def Poetry Jam, which was co-founded by Bruce George, Danny Simmons and Deborah Pointer, is an HBO television series produced by hip-hop music entrepreneur Russell Simmons. The series presents performances by established spoken word poets, as well as up-and-coming ones. Well-known actors and musicians will often surprise the audience by showing up to recite their own original poems. The show is hosted by Mos Def. Def Poetry is a spin-off of Def Comedy Jam. As he did on Def Comedy, Simmons appears at the end of every episode to thank the audience.
Episodes (4)
1. Episode 1
Aired 18 January 2002
Steve Colman, Nikki Giovanni, Suheir Hammad, Vanessa Hidary, Black Ice, Lemon, Georgia Me
2. Episode 2
Aired 25 January 2002
Flowmentalz, Kayo, Jewel Kilcher, Taylor Mali, Sonia Sanchez, Dawn Saylor, Shiham, Yellow Rage
3. Episode 3
Aired 1 February 2002
Cedric the Entertainer, Kevin Coval, J. Ivy, The Last Poets, Willie Perdomo, Beau Sia
4. Episode 4
Aired 8 February 2002
Amiri Baraka, Dave Chappelle, Jessica Care Moore, Liza Jessie Peterson, Poetri