Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry: Season 02
Part of Series:
Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry [TV Series]
Based on a Tony-winning Broadway production, Def Poetry Jam was the brainchild of Russell Simmons, the same man responsible for HBO's improvisational ethnic comedy series Def Comedy Jam. Hosted by rapper Mos Def, Def Poetry Jam was taped live at The Supper Club in New York. A vast array of performance artists, ranging from poets to actors to musicians to comedians, most but not all African-American, were given full license to express themselves in the most emotional, uninhibited, and sometimes obscene manner possible before a large and enthusiastic live audience. Sometimes the poetry was presented "straight," without adornment; and sometimes the recitations were part and parcel of a mixed-media presentation. Hilarious, biting, profane, tender, offensive, but never dull, the series was an expert encapsulation of the feelings and sensitivities of minority artists in post-9/11 America. Also known as Russell Simmons Presents: Def Poetry, the half-hour Def Poetry Jam made its HBO bow in June of 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Includes Seasons:
Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry: Season 02
Seven new half-hour sessions of hilarious, haunting, profane, and profound improvisational poetry are dished up in the second season of HBO's Def Poetry Jam. Produced by Russell Simmons of Def Comedy Jam and hosted by rapper Mos Def, the series, taped at The Supper Club in New York, launches season two with a performance by future Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx, reciting his own composition Fashizzle My Nizzle. Subsequent guest artists include Danny Hoch, Black Ice, Taylor Mali, Erykah Badu, and, light-years away from The Cosby Show, Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Curiously, the DVD release of Def Poetry Jam's second season edits out the performances by Talib Kweli and Rakim, among others. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Includes Episodes:
Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry: Episode 2.1
Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry: Episode 2.2
Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry: Episode 2.3
Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry: Episode 2.4
Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry: Episode 2.5
Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry: Episode 2.6
Cast
Russell Simmons as Himself
| Crew
Stan Lathan - Director
Danny Hoch - Director
Russell Simmons - Executive Producer
|
Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry: Season 02
(not reviewed)
General Specifications: | | Language Options: | English | | Subtitle Options: | | | Sound Processing: | DD2: Dolby Digital Stereo
| | Additional Features: | none specified | | DVD Aspect Ratio: | 1.33:1: Pre-1954 Standard
| | MPAA Rating: | NR | | DVD Discs Included: | 1 | | DVD Sides: | 1 | | DVD DVD Region Code: | 1 | | Content Length: | 175 min | | | |
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