Editors' Note: A Decade of Def Poetry

2012 marks ten years after the beginning of the HBO television series Def Poetry Jam produced by Russell Simmons and hosted by Mos Def. Def Poetry ended in 2007, just five years after its creation; yet, despite its short tenure, the series was significant in that it helped to popularize slam poetry and spoken word in a way not seen before or since. Below, we have compiled ten of our favorites from Def Poetry Jam in commemoration of the series ten years later and as an interesting point of reference as to the stylings, rhythms and cultural content of spoken word a decade ago.

Caveat: As spoken word sometimes goes, some of our favorites below are meant for adult ears only. 

1. Steve Colman - "I Wanna Hear a Poem"

2. Maya del Valle - "Descendancy"

3. Julian Curry - "Nigger, Niggas, Niggaz"

4. Carlos Andres Gomez - "What's Genocide?"

5. Beau Sia - "Give Me A Chance"

6. Patricia Smith - "Skinhead"

7. Suheir Hammad - "Not Your Erotic, Not Your Exotic"

8. Bassey Ikpi - "Apology to My Unborn"

9. Kendra Urdang - "To Every Man Who Never Called Himself a Feminist"

10. Last and certainly not least: Oscar Brown Jr. - "I Apologize"