Russell Simons Def Poetry Jam

January 24, 2004 in Friends

Russell Simons Def Poetry Jam

Ursula Petula Barzey 0 Like Post 24 Comments

NOTE: THIS IS A PERSONAL BLOG AND IS IN NO WAY AFFILIATED WITH RUSSELL SIMONS. AS SUCH, IF YOU ARE TRYING TO GET IN CONTACT WITH HIM, PLEASE VISIT HIS COMPANY INTERNET SITE AT: http://www.defjam.com/index.las.
“Sista to Sista”, “Nig-gods,” The Asians Are Coming,” and “Totally XXXtreme” are titles to some of my favorite poems from last night’s performance of hit Broadway show Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam, winner of the 2003 Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event. The first two poems were written and performed by Georgia Me. The latter were written and performed by Beau Sia. As I sat listening to these two poets as well as the others (Black Ice, Mayda Del Valle, Suheir Hammad, Bassey Ikpi, Lemo, and Poetri), I couldn’t help but reflect on my own love and hate relationship with poetry. After spending countless hours in school (both high school and college), I came to appreciate poems by such masters such as: Robert Frost, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, etc. In fact, one of my favorite poems is “Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost. But it took me a while to figure out what the hell he was talking about. Perhaps that?s why I enjoy these modern poets. It?s not about rhyme and meter. Granted some of the rules are still in play, but it?s so refreshing to hear poems in plain English about things I can relate to; all filled and spoken with so much passion. So check out the show when it comes to your town. I’m so glad that Ms. Shasta and friends joined me last night for this amazing performance. And oh yeah, not to sound like a theatre snob or anything, but please remember theatre etiquette. Specially, turn off your cell phones, sit in your assigned seat and oh yeah, and show up on time. I couldn?t believe how many people showed up late last night and were still ushered in to the theatre. Even though it wasn?t right in front of me, I still found it distracting, particularly when you?re trying not to miss any of the spoken words.
NOTE: THIS IS A PERSONAL BLOG AND IS IN NO WAY AFFILIATED WITH RUSSELL SIMONS. AS SUCH, IF YOU ARE TRYING TO GET IN CONTACT WITH HIM, PLEASE VISIT HIS COMPANY INTERNET SITE AT: http://www.defjam.com/index.las.

24 Comments

June 9, 2005 at 8:02 am

abe payne

DEAR RUSSELL I WOULD LIKE TO SIT DOWN AND TALK TO YOU ABOUT A VERY IMPORTANT AND PROFABLE BUSNESS ADVENTURE. A GREAT IDEA’HOW DO WE TALK?
June 6, 2005 at 10:51 pm

Edward Dean

i think you should’nt have to pay for your words to get heard. So this is 4 free.unlike our country,makin me pay for words that need to be said ,puttin lies in our peoples heads ,they stole us from our land put shakles on our feet and hands,made us work for free with our blood sweat and tears went in to this country now their are no jobs for you and me .to live the way it’s supposed to be.4 real
May 25, 2005 at 11:22 pm

meggia saulo

Mr. Simmons:
I’m a big fan of your success. Love to see intelligent black men make it in this world of nothing but haters. I’m a 23 year young female who is lyrically gifted living in Seattle. The lyrics I spit comes from experience…life is basically what you make it. Would love to hear from and get some good advice of how I would go about showing and sharing my talent. Please respond. Oh, I love your wife’s clothing line. I have nothing but baby phat!
meg
May 13, 2005 at 8:34 am

pablo

do you still burn?
May 10, 2005 at 7:46 am

Nathan Benson

Mr. Simons I don’t want anything…just was interested in knowing if you would care to take your Def Poetry Jam maybe in a different direction. I don’t care to comment in and open forum…but i could be reached at the email address Posted.
Allthemanuneed
April 8, 2005 at 2:29 pm

Daniel Robinson

Hi Russel,
Check out the website http://www.windycitytv.com under webtv and events. Someboy called Truth is renaming your Chicago Hip Hop Summit the Truth Summit.
August 1, 2004 at 6:17 am

Maria Glover

Dear Russell,
I’m selling a Picasso Painting oil on canvas, titled The Old Guitarist, 1903/04. If you or Kimora are interested please contact me via email, or PO Box 9633, Columbus, Ohio 43209.
Check Out Art Institute of Chicago to see example of their Picasso, Oil Painting on Panal.
July 20, 2004 at 1:50 pm

Gregory Sullivan

Hey! How are you Mr. Russle Simons! If you get this,you are tyte
July 9, 2004 at 12:28 pm

LaRose

I heard Mr. Simons is conducting a march in August 2004 in regards to the RICO laws, can you please send me some information via email?
Thank you.
LaRose
July 9, 2004 at 12:00 pm

Nichelle Taylor

I was wanting to know if there is anyone out there who can put me in the right direction on how to get in the music video production industry. I can see a video by listening to the music when the video hasn’t even been made yet. I want to put videos out there that reflexs the songs and words of the artist. I want to know how to formatt my ideas to present to a production company or artist in a professional manner. Is there a book, website, or school I can resource from?
July 9, 2004 at 11:54 am

Nichelle Taylor

I am trying to start a small business and need someone to help fund/invest in me. My business ideas is so unique and tight that I can not post it. *Russell* or *Komora* please contact me or let me know of any resources that will benefit me to get the help that I need. Please don’t doubt me, email me and set something up. My mind is about to explode with all these ideas and the only thing slowing me down is the funding and resources.
July 4, 2004 at 7:01 pm

NIKESHA BROWN

FREE MUTULU SHAKUR
512 W Fremont St
Pheonix, Arizona 85041
Mr. Simons
I’m writing to you on the behalf of Dr. Mutulu Shakur. A black man that is in prison when he has the power to strength the blsck society. You seen what he has done with Tupac Shakur and the man is sitting in a jail cell rotten. I want to ask you for your support in getting Dr. Mutulu Shakur’s freedom back so he can give his knowlege to the black society. I’m trying to create an army to fight a battle and I want to recruit you as soldier.
Nikesha Brown
June 14, 2004 at 12:38 am

CONTINUOUS

Looking to be a Signed artist/label with the marketing/promotionssupport of working with Russel Simons under as a sub label call Continuous Entertainment
Artist Facts:
Name – Continuous
Sex – Male
Location – New York
Race – Latin
Genre – Hip Hop (Original)
Site – http://www.continuous-ent.com
Email Continuous_ent@hotmail.com
Phone 516 414 8193
http://24.184.5.194:6160/web1/images/mp3s/Continuous_On_DA_Top.mp3
June 10, 2004 at 9:39 am

najee "diva" Davis

i’M NOT GOING TO LIE BUT I CATCH YOUR SHOW EVERYTIME I GET A CHANCE. i SAW IT LAST NIGHT AND I WISH I CAN BE UP THIER. i AM A BLACK 16 YR OLD YOUNG LADY MOVING UP FROM A “WOMEN” AND I HAVE SOME REAL POEMS OF THOUGHT THAT CAME FROM ME, I CAME TO YOU BECAUSE I KNOW YOUR A MAN OF BUSINESS AND LIKES TO GET SHIT DONE(EXCUSE MY FRENCH BUT I’M BEING REAL.) i WON’T BEG BUT SIMPLY ASK FOR YOUR HELP, HELP PUT MY WORDS OUT THIER TO THE MIS-EDUCATED ADULTS AND THE UN-WISE TEENS OUT THERE. tHANK YOU SO SO MUCH.
a SECOND ISSUE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE UP WITH YOU IS I GO TO a. pHILLIP rANDOLPH cAMPUS hIGH SCHOOL IN HARLEM. wE HAVE STARTED A lOCAL sOROITY N MY SCHOOL (SOON TO BECOME NATIONAL IN 2YRS.) wE ARE OFFICIAL WITHOUT A GIMMIC SIGMA ALPA PSI. wE ARE SMART GROWING LADIES THAT REALLY NEED A SPONSER AND WE CAN’T GET ANY HELP FROM THESE STUCK UP PEOPLE FROM DOWN TOWN THEY THINK WE ARE A “JOKE” sO HELP US IF YOU CAN JUST SAY I SENT YOU IF THE ANSWER IS YES tHANK YOU AGAIN (SIGMAALPHAPSI@YAHOO.COM)
May 12, 2004 at 7:00 am

Lil Mama

Whats up erybody. Russell whats up with those clothes. Hook me up Baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 3, 2004 at 9:51 am

Travis Riggs

Mr. Simons,
Im 15 and live in arcadia Florida my dream is to start my own record label and from their build it into an empire [ like DefJam ] please E-mail me with information.
April 26, 2004 at 11:36 pm

Darius Johnson

Mr. Simons,
My cousin and I are starting our own clothing line. Do you have any information on how to get a patent, and how to get it marketed? If it is not to much trouble can you tell us how you got started? For now we have the Logo and some clothing desgins.
Sincerely
Darius Johnson & Chris Shell
April 22, 2004 at 2:24 pm

sly

Hi Russel Simons,I am young rap, writer and rapper.All i need is your number so i could spit a few lyrics to see if you will aprove,or an email add, sure my bro u will aprove and my name will make it on the number one even news.peace
April 22, 2004 at 2:24 pm

sly

Hi Russel Simons,I am young rap, writer and rapper.All i need is your number so i could spit a few lyrics to see if you will aprove,or an email add, sure my bro u will aprove and my name will make it on the number one even news.peace
April 12, 2004 at 6:40 pm

Gracie

hi, russell simmons i hope i finally got to your email. but heres is a little poem for you. russel simmons maybe rich, gracie strather is poor, i write scripts, songs and poetry need i say more.
you can call me @214 275-4859. or write me at my address anytime. i’m not a professional i must admit. i just need a manager,producer someone to represent. please call or write to see some of my stuff, i will be happy to send you some or all of my work. my address i 4700 wimbleton way #2624 dallas, texas 75227.
April 7, 2004 at 3:25 pm

$$JACKPOT$$

YO!! what up my niggaz, yo anyone know when dre, snoop, xzibit, em, nate dog, and all them other koo cats going on tour again?
February 2, 2004 at 8:36 pm

Antjuan Hart

Are you going to write me back are what.
February 2, 2004 at 7:05 pm

Antjuan Hart

how did you start defjam records
January 25, 2004 at 1:20 am

Kat

i’m so glad you guys went. i love.i mean LOVE beau sia. i wanted to go to broadway to see them. there were discount tix offered last year, but none of my cheap ass lazy friends wanted to go that is until of course i was flat broke. they wanted to go then!