Hip-hop impresario Russell Simmons is clearly not content resting on his laurels. Like many music moguls in today's entertainment industry, Simmons's to-do list reaches far beyond just producing albums for his Def Jam Records label. In his most recent - and noteworthy - project, Simmons reaches into a medium most would not expect.
His award-winning "Def Poetry Jam" enjoins the disciplines of theater and "spoken word," a raw and unabashed form of poetry reading. The show, currently on a cross-country tour, comes to Shea's Performing Arts Center this Friday night. While it made waves on Broadway and in other countries like Scotland, it was also a well-received HBO series.
The show's Broadway incarnation racked up accolade on top of accolade, including the 2003 Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event, an award created two years before to accommodate the growing number of not-quite-theater, not-quite-one-man-shows sprouting up.
The novelty of a production like "Def Poetry Jam" is that it stretches the mindset of those who feel like traditional theater is an art form in its dying stages. With so many revivals - not to mention closings - in New York theater these days, audiences have embraced the idea that the traditional methods of storytelling are no longer the only option.
Rapper Mos Def, who starred in the Broadway production and earned critical acclaim for his performance, is not participating in this tour, however most of his original Broadway cast mates are.
Philadelphia native Black Ice, whose real name is Lamar Manson, was discovered by Simmons at New York's Soul Caf?(c), and subsequently became Def Jam Records' first signed spoken-word artist. He has performed for such cultural notables as Reverend Jessie Jackson, Muhammad Ali and Louis Farrakhan.
Bassey Ikpi might have been raised in hip-hop-less Oklahoma, but her Nigerian descent has surely served as a strong influence for her Def Poetry work. In addition to touring with "Def Jam Poetry," she's also brought her own one-woman-show on the road, performing at colleges and university across the country.
Perhaps the strongest aspect of "Def Jam Poetry's" universal acclaim is its widespread inclusion of more than just one cultural or racial perspective. While hip-hop has traditionally been associated with black culture, Simmons's cast is culturally diverse.
Palestinian-American Suheir Hammad hails from Brooklyn, and has been featured on BBC World Service and NPR, while Beau Sia - who, like Ikpi, was raised in Oklahoma - is Chinese-American.
Rounding out the cast are award-winning George Me, touring spoken word artist Lemon, and recording artist Poetri. DJ Jedi provides music for the show.
Combining varied perspectives on topics that span social, political, sexual and nearly every other issue is the heartbeat of this very unique project. Simmons joins director Stan Lathan in presenting the new form of cultural criticism. Lathan's past projects include socially conscious TV shows like "Roc," "Sanford & Son," "Amen," "Hill Street Blues" and the hallmark of children's programming, "Sesame Street."
For those who have not seen "Def Poetry Jam" on HBO or on stage in New York, the one-night-only Buffalo performance Friday night will sure entertain and enlighten; a performance for all emotions, all senses.
Simmons wouldn't have it any other way.
Tickets for "Def Poetry Jam" are available at the Shea's box office, all Ticketmaster locations or by phone at 852-5000. Ticket prices range from $20.50 to $39.50.
Win free tickets!
The first reader to e-mail the arts desk at spectrumartsdesk@hotmail.com will win a pair of tickets for "Def Poetry Jam" Friday night at Shea's. If you are the lucky winner, you will receive an e-mail confirmation with details about where and when to pick up your tickets.
No purchase necessary. Supplies limited.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
