Style(s) music(aux) : Music

Nationality : United States

Bio:

Born in Newburgh, New York (February 29, 1972), Saul Stacey Williams is an American writer, actor and musician known for his blend of poetry and hip-hop and for his leading role in the independent film Slam. He has had a significant place in the movement of DRM-free music and one of the first non-mainstream artists to offer their album free on the internet, bypassing the role of a record label.

In 1995 Williams found himself at the center of the New York cafe poetry scene as a poet and MC. His rhymes were not really rhymes but rather his poetry delivered in a frenzied spoken word manner that was more rhythmic than alliterate. His first major recording was a collaboration with KRS-One, "Ocean Within," which appeared on the soundtrack to Slam, the 1998 award-winning film he not only co-wrote but also starred in. Slam won both the Sundance Festival Grand Jury Prize and the Cannes Camera DOr, introducing Williams to international audiences.

Williams went on to perform with such artists as The Fugees, Christian Alvarez, Blackalicious, Erykah Badu, Zack De La Rocha, De La Soul, and DJ Krust, as well as legendary poets Allen Ginsberg and Sonia Sanchez. After releasing a string of EPs, in 2001 he released the much-hyped Amethyst Rock Star with producer Rick Rubin. It was not a straight-ahead rap album, more rock-rap in the style of Rage Against the Machine than anything.

In September 2004 he released his self-titled album to much acclaim.

In 2005, in addition to performing at the Lollapalooza music festival, Williams played several shows supporting Nine Inch Nails on their European tour. He also appeared on NINs album Year Zero, and supported the group on their 2006 North American tour, during which he announced that Trent Reznor would co-produce his next album. This collaboration resulted in the 2007 The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust! The album is available only at niggytardust.com.

As a writer, Williams has been published in The New York Times, Esquire, Bomb Magazine and African Voices, as well as having released four collections of poetry. He has toured and lectured across the world, appearing at many universities and colleges. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California.