Stan Lathan
Director
Def Poetry (2002)
Season 3
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.
Released Jan. 18, 2002
Episode 28 min
17+
Genres: Documentary, Music
Keywords: imdb.live-audience, imdb.self-expression, imdb.spoken-word, imdb.stage-production, imdb.african-american, imdb.poetry-reading, imdb.hip-hop
Network: HBO
Country: United States
Languages:
English
S3E1 - Episode 1
This week's episode featured non-stop verbal stylings of Black Ice, Suheir, Bassey Ikpi, Helena D. Lewis, Rives (who sign-languaged his piece!), Daniel Beatty, Rupert Estanisiao and Poem-cees who offered poems equipped with beat-box effects. Songstress Jill Scott and actor/poet Mutabaruka added their poetic fuel to the space for an extraordinary performance.
April 4, 2003, midnight
S3E2 - Episode 2
Hip Hop and Spoken Word Artist Common performed. Also featured were Mayda De Valle & Lemon, Flaco Navaja, Ursula Rucker, Michael Ellison, Ras Baraka, Dayna, Ishle Park and Gemineye.
April 11, 2003, midnight
S3E3 - Episode 3
Poetri kicked off this episode with his funny and honest take on Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Other performers ripping the stage were, Emanuel Xavier, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Richard Montoya, Vanessa Hidary, Danny Hoch, Bassey Ikpi, Lemon and Steve Colman.
April 18, 2003, midnight
S3E4 - Episode 4
Black Ice and Staceyann Chinn, Rock Baby, Alix Olson, Mike 360, Shappy, Jonzi D., Amalia Ortiz and Jimmy Santiago Baca kept the stage and audience warmed up. Hip-Hop legend Salt also gave an electrifying performance.
April 25, 2003, midnight
S3E5 - Episode 5
On the mike this time were, Roger Bonair-Agard, Fenchi, Geoff Trenchard, Chinaka Hodge, Dufflyn and Kevin Coval. Also appearing were Beau Sia (from Def Poetry on Broadway), actor/poet muMs (HBO's "Oz"), and Quincy Troupe (writer/educator).
May 2, 2003, midnight
S3E6 - Episode 6
Poets doing their thing this included Kanye West, Shihan, Jason Carney, Gina Loring, Jamie Kennedy, Bao Phi, and Roscoe P. Coldchain. Maya Del Valle returned while musicians Lou Reed and Buju Banton graced the stage for the first time.
May 9, 2003, midnight
S3E7 - Episode 7
The final episode of Season 3 closed with perfomances by Maggie Estep, Malak Salaam, Joel Chmara, Flowmentalz and Deb Young. Georgia Me graced the screen while Saul Williams and R&B legend Smokey Robinson also performed.
May 16, 2003, midnight
Network: HBO
Episode Runtime: 28 min.
Season Runtime: 28 min.
Released: Jan. 18, 2002
Last Air Date: March 2, 2007, midnight
Status: Ended
Certification: TV-MA / 17+
Rate this show
Add {Movie} to static lists