In the thirty-second spots, entitled "A Song Can Be History," the modern-day troubadours will perform original solo and ensemble pieces created especially for VH1. The poems featured in the PSAs will "express images of music, moments, or individuals from the pantheon of Black music who have inspired the poets and the world," a release stated. The cast are certainly not TV-shy as the poets are also featured in a television commercial currently running which advertises their stageshow.
The theatrical Def Poetry Jam debuted at San Francisco's Theatre on the Square, although the HBO specials have been popular for some time. Presented by Russell Simmons and Stan Lathan, in association with Kimora Lee Simmons, Island Def Jam Music Group, Brett Ratner and David Rosenberg, Def Poetry Jam is conceived by Lathan and Simmons. Lathan directs.
Tickets are $25-$75. For reservations, call (212) 239-6200. The Longacre Theatre is located at 220 West 48th Street. Def Poetry Jam is on the web at http://www.defpoetryjamnyc.com.