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DVD Def Poetry - Season 1
Produced by Russell Simmons and hosted by Mos Def, this groundbreaking HBO series presents poetry for the hip-hop generation. The setting is New York's Supper Club, the performers are young men and women of every hue, and the tools are words: angry, funny--even profane--words. Taped live, each of the four 30-minute episodes from the first season features several poets and a guest or two (from the fiery Last Poets to the out-of-her-element Jewel). This isn't your grandma's traditional verse, but rather slam poetry--or spoken word--as influenced by Public Enemy as Langston Hughes and the evening news. Some are powerful (see Suheir Hammad), some clever (Sarah Jones), and some irritating (Yellow Rage), but each poem is sure to provoke some kind of reaction. Def Poetry would go on to beget a world tour, a Peabody Award and, in its Broadway incarnation, a Tony for best theatrical event. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Will have you laughing and tearing in the same episode..
This DVD is definitely a must have for all dvd collectors. As Mos Def stated in a few of the shows, these artists get up there and say things you may already be thinking. They will have you laughing at times, and will have you reflecting on the state of our society at others. As they show clips of the audience, you find every skin tone and age up in there and its a beautiful thing to see them all laughing together and even shedding tears together...It's deep..
Based on my experience from Def Comedy Jam, I was expecting all of the artists to be African American, but Russell mixed it up with Caucasians, Asians and Arabs which was HOT...We never really know how different people look at the world and this gives you a glimpse into what each person sees and what they've been through.
DEFinitely a classic!!
dvd collection "must have"
This DVD is wonderful and gives proof that the spoken word is the strongest force out there. Russell Simmons has truly captured and presented a raw form of unbelievable talent of everyday people and those more notable. These poets will touch and pierce your very soul and leave you laughing, crying, mad and happy. After the first episode, you will be hooked.
Food 4 the Soul
I caught this show on HBO by chance and became a fan instantly. If you are a person who appreciates any kind of art form, you will find true value in these performances. These poems are a window into the different cultures in our world and they allow you to relate to and understand other people and ourselves. On one episode Danny Hoch did a piece on 9/11 and I am anxious to know if its on this DVD. I'm not sure if it was part of another season. Anyway, it was at once somber, funny, sarcastic, introspective, sad, in short the most brilliant performance of any kind I've ever seen. Same goes to a performance by "Black Ice" which was Hip-Hop, yet anti-gangsta... awesome!! If both are on this DVD, they alone make it a must have for anyone with an appreciation for poetry.
The Def Poetry series captures the spirit of the spoken word poetry movement which is racing through the country and sparking a new interest in poetry, imparticular with young people. By turns moving, hilarious, and goosebump-inducing, these performances by both the young and the older def poets are well worth owning. There are some old voices from the first Season as well as plenty of new voices - if you love poetry in all its forms, go buy this! More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Russell Simmons DVD Release Date: Released the 05 April 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
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I own the first two dvds already. I really enjoyed the third. You will begin to notice the poets who are staples for the show. Beau Sia is always live. Black Ice is always great. Lemon brings the flavor. Suheir is always thought provoking and life changing. Keep up the good work. Also, buy the Def Poetry On Broadway book for more.
A darling of the 1998 festival circuit, Marc Levin's Slam won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance as well as the Camera d'Or (best first film) at Cannes. Despite its shortcomings, the film merits these awards--Slam offers a strong cast and compelling subject matter, a perfect setting with a killer soundtrack, and over-the-top rap poetry.
The film opens with an exterior shot of the protagonist, Raymond Joshua (played by real-life poet Saul Williams), walking away from the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. The image of a young black man turning his back on this symbol of government scant minutes before he's popped on a chump-change drug charge is poignant and disturbing--not easily forgotten by anyone aware of the immense contradictions inherent in the demographics of the... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Saul Williams - Sonja Sohn - Bonz Malone Director(s): Marc Levin DVD Release Date: Released the 27 February 2001 Usually ships in 24 hours
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