Celebs Who Performed on Def Poetry Jam

Def Poetry Jam, or commonly known as Def Poetry, was a spoken word television series that highlighted Black spoken word and poetry artists.

The series was created by Russell Simmons, co-founder of Def Jam Records, and was hosted by rapper Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def). Several artists performed powerful poetry of love, healing, and power. It included legendary, historical performances by outstanding wordsmiths like The Last Poets, Nikki Giovanni, Saul Williams and more.

Several hip-hop and soul artists also graced the stage of Def Poetry, such as captivating performances by Erykah Badu, Common, Lauryn Hill and even some performances by Yasiin Bey.

The show was a spin-off of the popular series Def Jam Comedy and ran on HBO from 2002 to 2007.

For National Black Poetry Day, we will highlight some of the historic celebrities who adorned the Def Poetry limelight with their compelling voices and vivid words.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner

The late Cosby Show star Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who died in a rip current accident on July 20, performed on the Def Poetry stage. Warner released three poetry books in his lifetime, receiving a Grammy nomination in 2023 for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album. In 2015, he won a Grammy for Best Traditional R&B Performance for his feature on Robert Glasper’s rendition of “Jesus Children.”

Nikki Giovanni

Activist, author and poet Nikki Giovanni is renowned as one of the most remarkable poetry word-smiths of our time. Her poetry often addressed race, sexuality, equality and the Black family dynamic. Giovanni passed away on Dec. 9, 2024 at 81 years old.

Jill Scott

“Jilly from Philly,” better known as Ms. Jill Scott, has always incorporated poetry in her music, including her debut album Who Is Jill Scott? Words & Sounds Vol. 1. So, it was no surprise that she would perform at Def Poetry, whether reciting a poem or singing a freestyle, throughout the series’ run.

Saul Williams

Rapper, singer, actor and writer Saul Williams, who recently featured in the critically acclaimed film Sinners, recited a powerful poem on Def Poetry that is still known as one of the most notable performances during the series’ time. He speaks with cadence and rigor that draws you into his words.

Yasiin Bey (Mos Def)

It wasn’t uncommon for Def Poetry host, rapper and actor Yasiin Bey to spit a rhyme or spoken word piece in between other artists. His own albums are lyrical with themes and influences of poetry in his own music.

The Last Poets

Poetry collective and musical group, The Last Poets, were pivotal in the Civil Rights Movement and Black Nationalism. Many refer to them as the “Godfathers of Rap” due to their influence in the genre and their poetry being recognized internationally. Their performance was a historic part of Def Poetry.