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 (7)
1. Episode 1
Aired 7 June 2002
Jason Carney, Jamie Foxx, Marty McConnell, Thea Monyee, Beau Sia, Sekou Sundiata, Twin Poets
2. Episode 2
Aired 14 June 2002
Erykah Badu, Dante Basco, Maggie Estep, Danny Hoch, Black Ice, Patrica Smith
3. Episode 3
Aired 21 June 2002
Reggie Cabico, Talib Kweli, Lemon, Haki R. Madhubuti, Taylor Mali, Rat Sack
4. Episode 4
Aired 28 June 2002
Oscar Brown Jr., Caridad 'La Bruja' De La Luz, Anthony Morales, Amalia Ortiz, Ishle Park, Rakim, Shihan
5. Episode 5
Aired 5 July 2002
Craig muMs grant, Felipe Luciano, Amanda Seales, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Malik Yusef
6. Episode 6
Aired 12 July 2002
Steve Connell, Georgia Me, Jessica Care Moore, Keith Murray, Louis Reyes Rivera, Sekou Torbet
7. Episode 7
Aired 19 July 2002
Staceyann Chin, Reginald Gibson, Goldie, Joy Harjo, Wood Harris, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Dennis Kim, Big Rube