To thousands of youth across America, Saul Williams has defined and redefined poetry as an accessible, living art form. His poetry has served as the archetype for a new generation of poets and spoken word artists. His groundbreaking work as a writer and actor in the critically acclaimed film, Slam (Sundance’s Grand Jury Prize ’98; Cannes’ Camera D’Or ’98), placed him as a figurehead of the spoken word/slam poetry movement that has spread across the United States and culminated in such commercial successes as Def Poetry Jam.

Saul is the author of three collections of poetry: ,said the shotgun to the head. (2003 MTV Books/Pocket Books), She (1999 MTV Books/Pocket Books), and The Seventh Octave (1997 Moore Black Press). His musical debut, Amethyst Rock Star, (2001 American Recordings/Island Def Jam) was produced by legendary rock/hip-hop producer, Rick Rubin, and received high praises, such as “album of the year” by The Times of London. Saul’s new CD is to be released in September 2004. [READ FULL BIO]

Written Word

Slam (as in the movie) master spoken-word poet Saul Williams does it again with an epic poem on love and war - , said shotgun to the head. is in the voice of a sort of modern John the Baptist, who tells of the coming of a female Messiah that he has known intimately. It chronicles everything from the fall of the twin towers to the fall of the Catholic church. Only this "rambling fool" dares connect these world changing events to such seemingly random occurences as the death of rock icon, Kurt Cobain, or the sleeping habits of an ex-girlfriend. This is not a call to arms, nor is it the story of the end of the world. Rather, it is a direct call to love and the prologue to a new beginning. Here is a nonlinear depiction of the fall of the west within the scented petals of a love poem.

Poet / musician / actor / Screenwriter Saul Williams received his BA in acting and philosophy from Morehouse College in Atlanta, and his Masters in acting from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. He co-wrote and starred in the Cannes and Sundance award-winning film Slam: he was also featured in the documentaries Slam Nation, Underground Voices and I'll Make Me a World. He is the author of two previous poetry collections, The Seventh Octave (Moore Black Press) and She (MTV/Pocket Books, 1999) which is in its 5th edition. American/Sony released Saul's CD Amethyst Rock Star (Fall 2001).

Saul Williams is not a run-of-the-mill poet. For one thing, he has a recurring guest role on a sitcom (UPN's Girlfriends) and two major film credits. He also has the natural charisma of Bill Clinton, the creative flash of Jimi Hendrix and the sexual energy of Jim Morrison. He crosses genres as easily as he crosses the street, and he has a stage presence that made one woman dreamily declare in the documentary SlamNation, "Saul Williams was like a vagina orgasm." He does, admittedly, leave you a little short of breath, and yes, this is poetry we're talking about. —Teresa DiFalco, Willamette Week Online (11/26/2003)

Spoken Word

Also receiving recent acclaim and debuting at #62 on the New Artist Chart,Saul Williams recent recording: SAUL WILLIAMS By Saul Williams Check out the following links for new reviews: MVRemix.com PitchforkMedia.com PixelSurgeon.com ReactMag.com