Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry - Season 3

This week's episode featured non-stop verbal stylings of Black Ice, Suheir, Bassey Ikpi, Helena D. Lewis, Rives (who sign-languaged his piece!), Daniel Beatty, Rupert Estanisiao and Poem-cees who offered poems equipped with beat-box effects. Songstress Jill Scott and actor/poet Mutabaruka added their poetic fuel to the space for an extraordinary performance.

Hip Hop and Spoken Word Artist Common performed. Also featured were Mayda De Valle & Lemon, Flaco Navaja, Ursula Rucker, Michael Ellison, Ras Baraka, Dayna, Ishle Park and Gemineye.

Poetri kicked off this episode with his funny and honest take on Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Other performers ripping the stage were, Emanuel Xavier, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Richard Montoya, Vanessa Hidary, Danny Hoch, Bassey Ikpi, Lemon and Steve Colman.

Black Ice and Staceyann Chinn, Rock Baby, Alix Olson, Mike 360, Shappy, Jonzi D., Amalia Ortiz and Jimmy Santiago Baca kept the stage and audience warmed up. Hip-Hop legend Salt also gave an electrifying performance.

On the mike this time were, Roger Bonair-Agard, Fenchi, Geoff Trenchard, Chinaka Hodge, Dufflyn and Kevin Coval. Also appearing were Beau Sia (from Def Poetry on Broadway), actor/poet muMs (HBO's "Oz"), and Quincy Troupe (writer/educator).

Poets doing their thing this included Kanye West, Shihan, Jason Carney, Gina Loring, Jamie Kennedy, Bao Phi, and Roscoe P. Coldchain. Maya Del Valle returned while musicians Lou Reed and Buju Banton graced the stage for the first time.

The final episode of Season 3 closed with performances by Maggie Estep, Malak Salaam, Joel Chmara, Flowmentalz and Deb Young. Georgia Me graced the screen while Saul Williams and R&B; legend Smokey Robinson also performed.