Saul Williams

Saul Williams first gained recognition in 1996 when he won the title of Nuyorican Poets Cafe's Grand Slam Champion. His talents were further recognized in 1998 when he starred in the independent film "Slam," which took home the Sundance Festival Grand Jury Prize and the Cannes Camera D'Or. Williams continued to explore his artistic capabilities by releasing the album "Amethyst Rock Star" in 2001, produced by Rick Rubin, and later released "The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust!" co-produced by Trent Reznor in 2007. His music repertoire expanded in 2011 with "Volcanic Sunlight," showcased at London's Hoxton Bar Kitchen, and "MartyrLoserKing," released in 2016.

Williams' acting career also includes a lead role in the Broadway musical "Holler If Ya Hear Me," featuring Tupac Shakur's music, which opened in 2014. He received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Actor for his role in "Akilla's Escape" in 2020. Apart from acting, Williams ventured into film direction with "Neptune Frost," which premiered at Cannes Directors' Fortnight in 2021. He also made his mark in poetry with collections such as "The Seventh Octave" and "The Dead Emcee Scrolls". Williams' diverse talents and contributions to various fields were recognized in his appearance on The Colbert Report. In 2025, he was featured in Ryan Coogler's "Sinners."

Williams' accomplishments extend to his collaborations with other artists, contributing to albums like Janelle Monáe's "The ArchAndroid" and Christian Scott's "Ancestral Recall". He has also demonstrated his prowess in the alternative hip-hop music scene and as a spoken word artist. Williams' activism in anti-corporate and anti–Iraq War efforts, along with his involvement in LGBTQ advocacy within the arts community. His educational background includes Morehouse College and Tisch School of the Arts.