Russel Simmons Presents Def Poetry Season 4

Throw away any notions you have of poetry being confined to dusty old tomes, where frozen stanzas are muttered by long dead voices—you’re about to be slammed. Def Poetry is hosted by hip-hop artist Mos Def and features a diverse selection of poets, authors and celebrities. The style of poetry, sometimes called slam poetry, relies on the performance of a piece rather than the written word. While this tradition of spoken word is certainly not a new concept, the execution is fresh and relieving. No subject is off limits for the outspoken artists who take the stage. A single episode may jump from a poem about post 9/11 hatred to a composition on constipation. This series provides the invaluable gift of inspiration.