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This show is a spoken word poetry television series hosted by Mos Def and airing on HBO between 2002 and 2007. The series features performances by established and up-and-coming spoken word poets. It's a spin off of def comedy and has been referred to as slam poetry although Simmons has said it isn't part of the movement. Just like def comedy jam Producer Russell Simmons comes out and makes an appearance each episode to thank the crowd at the end of the show. The series included historical legendary poets such as, The Last Poets, Nikki Giovanni, Amiri Baraka and Sonya Sanchez. It also featured poets, Saul Williams, J. Ivy, Jessica Care-Moore and Lemon. Though technically not a poetry slam, Def Poetry has become heavily associated with the poetry slam movement, and utilizes many of poetry slam's best known poets, including National Poetry Slam champions such as Beau Sia, Taylor Mali, Big Poppa E, Mayda del Valle, Mike Mcgee, Alix Olson and Rives, among others. Even poets who are critical of the poetry slam, such as John S. Hall, have acknowledged slam's influence on the show.

Live from the Los Angeles Theater, The Wiltern LG, actor/comedian Cedric the Entertainer performs his very 1st solo HBO Comedy Special.

A progressive moving drama about a young woman, Stacie Fergurson, who sets her sights on pursuing a college degree while leaving behind a troubled past and a troubled relationship. Rob, her ex-boyfriend, fresh out of prison catches up with her as she strives to turn over a new leaf. Unable to resist his smooth talking charm, Stacie decides to meet up with him one last time. Unbeknownst to her, Stacie's life is literally at stake as two spiritual beings, Nairobi and Azrael battle over her soul. Meanwhile OC and Dane, two young thugs from Rob's past, journey into town with only one mission in mind--- to get even with Rob over the murder of OC's brother. In Soul To Take, vengeance is only a victim away.

Hip-hop maestro Russell Simmons blows the roof off LA's historic El Rey Theatre with explosive new comedy from up-and-coming stand-up superstars. Grab all six episodes of Season 1 featuring funk-tastic host JB Smooth and live spinning from DJ Cassidy.

JB Smoove brings the Ruckus as he hosts the best stand-up comics working today in an all new season of Russell Simmons Presents The Ruckus.

A young boy finds his heart in an abandoned boxing gym.

This installment of the Russell Simmons Higher Self series profiles a collection of notable African-American figures whose efforts to challenge the status quo and end inequality altered the course of American history forever. Among those featured in this inspirational program are acclaimed poet-author Nikki Giovanni, blues legend B.B. King, civil rights icon Angela Davis, former presidential adviser Vernon Jordan and actor-activist Harry Belafonte.

A comedic look at the stereotypes of black men.

Restore is the story of Donovan Taylor, a young man in desperate need of a job. This need has clouded his vision. The strain of monetary absence has had its affect on Taylor. After shaking off the thought of felony robbery with a side of assault, Taylor comes face to face with his ego. Coach Cecil Barnes who died six months earlier, is standing right in front of Taylor asking for time and effort, without any apparent reward in waiting. Donovan, in short, is asked to open his eyes. After some coaxing, Donovan agrees to help his dead former high school basketball coach retrieve a very important plant from his uncaring son and return it to Burch Park. Barnes and his wife rescued the plant from the park many years prior. Now it was time to restore it to its original place. After a short visit to Barnes' son's house Taylor and Barnes head over to the park. Donovan returns the plant to the ground after a little work. Something then happens that Donovan never expected. And his reaction is something that you'll never expect. Restore. When all you can do is think of yourself.

A penniless Gary Coleman gets a job as Jennifer Lopez's "bootyguard" and finds himself the sole protector of Jennifer's rear end. Borrowing a gun from Charlton Heston's gun shop, he arrives at Jennifer's mansion where he is given his orders: He must protect Jennifer's most prized asset at all costs and accompany her wherever she goes, including a birthday party thrown for former president Bill Clinton. At the party a sexually charged Bill gets Jennifer alone in his private garden and tries to kiss her ass, forcing Jennifer to scream for help. Gary comes to her aid and engages Bill and his secret service agents in a climactic and tragic showdown.

This Rap documentary explores the historic MC Battle between underground rappers from Detroit and Cleveland. This film documents the first city vs city MC battle with interviews from Obie Trice, DJ Lord Jazz and MC Brainz.

Two girls - one Israeli and one Palestinian, share a special friendship despite their cultural differences and the war raging around them

American Mogul is an all access look into the life of Russell Simmons, one of the most exciting and charismatic entrepreneurs of our time.

Taking millions of fans to the birthplace of the multi-billion dollar hip-hop industry: The Streets. The filmmakers are given a pass to the neighborhoods, sets and underground spots that street bosses would never allow TV cameras to enter.

Young lady from Queens, New York bears a striking resemblence to the actress Jada Pinkett-Smith. She accepts perks offered to her until a deranged man confronts her as he thinks she really is the actress.

Mos Def opens the show with a reading from Langston Hughes' "Harlem Sweeties." Steve Coleman performs "I Wanna Hear a Poem." Georgia Me performs "Full Figured Potential," a self-described fat girl's blues about the ridicule she faces because of her weight and a call to pay more attention to inner beauty. Vanessa Hidary performs a piece about being a cultural bandit. Lemon performs "Shine the Stoker," the legend of the stoker on the Titanic who swam his way to safety in Harlem. Nikki Giovanni reads "Shoulders are for Emergencies Only," which begins, "Talk to me poem, I'm all alone." Black Ice performs. Suheir Hammad reads a revision of "First Writing Since," about being an Arab New Yorker in the aftermath of 9/11.

Mos Def opens the show with a reading from William Shakespeare's Sweet-and-Twenty. Taylor Mali performs "What Teachers Make." Yellow Rage performs "Listen Asshole." Jewel performs "Wild Horse." Flow Mentalz performs. (They Call Me Drama) Dr. Sonia Sanchez performs "Poem for Some Women," about a crack addict taking her 7 year-old daughter to a crackhouse and leaving her there. Shihan performs, "Love Like." Dawn Saylor performs, "Isis." Kayo performs.