Def Poetry's primary photo
  • Def Poetry (2002– )
  • TV-MA
    TV Series | 28 min | Documentary, Music
Def Poetry (2002– )
TV-MA
TV Series | 28 min | Documentary, Music

This show is a spoken word poetry television series hosted by Mos Def and airing on HBO between 2002 and 2007. The series features performances by established and up-and-coming spoken word poets. It's a spin off of def comedy and has been ...See moreThis show is a spoken word poetry television series hosted by Mos Def and airing on HBO between 2002 and 2007. The series features performances by established and up-and-coming spoken word poets. It's a spin off of def comedy and has been referred to as slam poetry although Simmons has said it isn't part of the movement. Just like def comedy jam Producer Russell Simmons comes out and makes an appearance each episode to thank the crowd at the end of the show. The series included historical legendary poets such as, The Last Poets, Nikki Giovanni, Amiri Baraka and Sonya Sanchez. It also featured poets, Saul Williams, J. Ivy, Jessica Care-Moore and Lemon. Though technically not a poetry slam, Def Poetry has become heavily associated with the poetry slam movement, and utilizes many of poetry slam's best known poets, including National Poetry Slam champions such as Beau Sia, Taylor Mali, Big Poppa E, Mayda del Valle, Mike Mcgee, Alix Olson and Rives, among others. Even poets who are critical of the poetry slam, such as John S. Hall, have acknowledged slam's influence on the show. See less
Read more: Plot summary
Seasons
7   |   6   |   5   |   4   |   3   |   2   |   1   |   Unknown   See all
Writer
Cinematographer
Production Designer
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Jun 21, 2002

Release date (First episode)
2002 (United States)

Contacts

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Cast

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211 cast members
Name Episodes Known for
Yasiin Bey
Self - Host / Self Self - Host / Self   See fewer
44
40
7
7
6
6
Shihan
Self Self   See fewer
6
5
Poetri
Self Self   See fewer
5
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
J. Ivy
Self Self   See fewer
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Common
Self Self   See fewer
3
Ye
Self Self   See fewer
3
3
Rives
Self Self   See fewer
3
3
2
2
2
2
Sekou Andrews
Self - Poet Self - Poet   See fewer
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Floetry
Themselves Themselves   See fewer
2
2
Kelly Tsai
Self - Spoken Word Poet Self - Spoken Word Poet   See fewer
2
2
2
2
2
2
Nah Dah
Self Self   See fewer
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
Jewel
Self Self   See fewer
1
1
1
Rakim
Self Self   See fewer
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
IN-Q
Self Self   See fewer
1
The Last Poets
Guest Performers Guest Performers   See fewer
1
Kayo
Self Self   See fewer
1
1
1
Twin Poets
Themselves Themselves   See fewer
1
1
1
1
1
1
Yellow Rage
Themselves Themselves   See fewer
1
Goldie
Self Self   See fewer
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Fenchi
Self Self   See fewer
1
1
1
Bao Phi
Self Self   See fewer
1
1
1
Poem-Cees
Themselves Themselves   See fewer
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
MC Lyte
Self Self   See fewer
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
KRS-One
Self Self   See fewer
1
1
1
Musiq
Self Self   See fewer
1
1
Dead Prez
Themselves Themselves   See fewer
1
1
Speech
Self Self   See fewer
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Jus Cus
Self Self   See fewer
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Flaco
Self Self   See fewer
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Skim
Self Self   See fewer
1
Minnesota
Self (uncredited) Self (uncredited)   See fewer
2
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