Overview
From 2002–2007, the spoken word revolution exploded on TV screens around the world via Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry. Nearly 20 years after the final episode aired on HBO, Def Poetry Jam alumni reunite to honor the man at the center of it all: Abiodun Oyewole. The acclaimed poet is a founding member of The Last Poets, the groundbreaking Black nationalist poetry and music collective that influenced generations of artists and laid the foundation for hip hop.
With performances and tributes by:
Dr. Antoinette Ellis-Williams is a multimedia interdisciplinary abstract contemporary artist, playwright, scholar, poet and author of Black Gardenias: A Collection of Poems, Stories, & Sayings from A Woman’s Heart.
D.Cross (Derick Cross) is a multidimensional, visual, vocal poetic performance artist and arts educator. He served as a cultural hip hop ambassador for The U.S. State Department’s Next Level Program.
Kraal “Kayo” Charles is a performer, playwright and producer. He was the youngest Grand Slam Champion at the legendary Nuyorican Poets Café in 1998.
Bonafide Rojas is a poet, musician and the author of Excelsior, Notes On The Return To The Island, Renovatio, When The City Sleeps and Pelo Bueno. He was awarded the 2023 Letras Boricuas Fellowship from The Mellon Foundation.
Chris “Flowmentalz” Cook is a prominent slam master, spoken word poet and non-profit organizer. He is widely known for hosting community open mics and poetry slams.
Liza Jessie Peterson is the author of All Day: A year of Love and Survival Teaching Incarcerated Kids at Rikers Island and The Peculiar Patriot, her award-winning one-woman show. She has performed at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and on HBO’s Def Poetry.
With more special guests to be announced!
