Saul Williams facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saul Williams
Williams in 2018
Background information
Birth name	Saul Stacey Williams
Born	(1972-02-29) February 29, 1972 (age 53) Newburgh, New York, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop alternative hip hop experimental hip hop industrial hip hop spoken word poetry
Occupation(s)	Rapper singer songwriter musician poet writer actor
Instruments	Vocals bass guitar guitar keyboards percussion
Labels	American Fader Label Wichita Big Dada
Associated acts	Trent Reznor Nine Inch Nails The Mars Volta Rick Rubin The Kills
Education	Morehouse College (BA) New York University (MFA)

Saul Stacey Williams (born February 29, 1972) is an American artist. He is a talented rapper, singer, songwriter, musician, poet, writer, and actor. He is well-known for mixing poetry with alternative hip hop music. He also played the main character in the 1998 movie Slam and the 2013 musical Holler If Ya Hear Me.

Early Life and Education

Saul Stacey Williams was born in Newburgh, New York, on February 29, 1972. He was the youngest of three children. He went to Newburgh Free Academy where he wrote a song called "Black Stacey."

After high school, he studied acting and philosophy at Morehouse College. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree there. Then, he moved to New York City. He earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in acting from New York University's Graduate Acting Program. While at New York University, he became part of the city's poetry scene. He also lived in Brazil as an exchange student from 1988 to 1989.

Saul Williams' Career Journey

Saul Williams has explored many different creative paths. He is known for his work in poetry, music, writing, acting, and even directing.

Poetry and Spoken Word

Williams performing live at SXSW in 2008

By 1995, Saul Williams was performing his poetry at open mic events. In 1996, he won the top prize at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe's Grand Slam Championship. A documentary film called SlamNation followed Williams and his team as they competed in the 1996 National Poetry Slam.

The next year, Williams got the main role in the 1998 movie Slam. He helped write the film and also starred in it. The movie won important awards, including the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Festival and the Camera D'Or (Golden Camera) at the Cannes Film Festival.

Music and Albums

Williams on his NiggyTardust! tour in Montreal (2008)

Around 1998, Williams also started making music. He performed with famous artists like Nas, The Fugees, and Erykah Badu. He released his first full album, Amethyst Rock Star, in 2001. It was produced by Rick Rubin. In 2004, he released his self-titled album, Saul Williams, which was very popular.

He toured with the band Nine Inch Nails in 2005 and 2006. The band's leader, Trent Reznor, even helped produce Williams' next album. This album, The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust!, came out in 2007. It was special because it was first offered for download directly from its website. Fans could choose to download it for free or pay $5 to support Williams and get a higher quality version.

In 2008, Williams' song "List of Demands (Reparations)" was used in a Nike commercial. His fourth album, Volcanic Sunlight, was released in 2011. He explained that poetry and music help him express feelings and explore new ideas.

His fifth album, MartyrLoserKing, came out in 2016. In 2018, the band The Kills covered his song "List of Demands (Reparations)."

Writing and Books

Saul Williams is also a published writer. His work has appeared in The New York Times and Esquire. He has also released four collections of his own poetry. He has traveled the world, giving talks and performances at many universities. He believes that different art forms help him express different emotions. Some ideas are best written, some are best sung, and some are best yelled.

In 2009, he released an audio recording called NGH WHT – The Dead Emcee Scrolls with The Arditti Quartet. This was a reading of his 2006 poetry book.

Acting Roles

Williams has starred in several films, including Slam (1998) and Today (2012). On stage, he played the main character in Holler If Ya Hear Me. This was a Broadway musical that featured music by Tupac Shakur. Even though it used Shakur's music, the story was not about his life. It was a new story written by Todd Kreidler. This show was called the "first hip-hop jukebox musical in Broadway history."

In 2021, he was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Actor for his role in the film Akilla's Escape.

Directing Films

In 2021, Williams co-directed a film called Neptune Frost with Anisia Uzeyman. He also wrote the film. It was shown for the first time at the Cannes Film Festival. The film was made possible with help from a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2018.

Personal Life

Saul Williams is a vegan, meaning he does not eat animal products. He has spoken out against wars, including the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan. His songs "Not in My Name" and "Act III Scene 2 (Shakespeare)" are well-known anti-war songs. He also supported the Occupy movement against income inequality.

Williams has a daughter named Saturn with artist Marcia Jones. Saturn has performed with her father at his concerts. He also has a son named Xuly. Saul Williams is currently married to actress Anisia Uzeyman. He used to live in Paris for four years, but now lives in Los Angeles.

Discography

Williams playing the bass at SXSW in 2008

Studio albums

• Amethyst Rock Star (2001)
• Saul Williams (2004)
• The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust! (2007)
• NGH WHT (2009) (with Arditti Quartet)
• Volcanic Sunlight (2011)
• MartyrLoserKing (2016)
• Encrypted & Vulnerable (2019)
• Unanimous Goldmine (The Original Soundtrack of "Neptune Frost") (2022)

Compilation albums

• Real N**gery Volume One (2005)
• These Mthrfckrs: MartyrLoserKing - Remixes, B-Sides, & Demos (2016)

EPs

• Not in My Name (2003)

Singles

• "Elohim (1972)" (1998)
• "Penny for a Thought" b/w "Purple Pigeons" (2000)
• "List of Demands (Reparations)" (2004)
• "Black Stacey" (2005)
• "The Flaw You Worship" (2018)

Guest appearances

Filmography

Williams in 2005

Film Roles

• Slam (1998)
• SlamNation (1998)
• Downtown 81 (voice) (1981/2000)
• Underground Voices (1996)
• I'll Make Me a World (1999)
• King of the Korner (2000)
• K-PAX (2001)
• The N-Word (2004)
• Lackawanna Blues (2005)
• Today (2012)
• A Midsummer Night's Dream (2017)
• Akilla's Escape (2020)
• Neptune Frost (2021)
• Blink Twice (2024)

Television Appearances

• Girlfriends (2003)
• The Colbert Report (2014)

Images for kids

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  Williams in 2018

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  Williams live at SXSW 2008

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  NiggyTardust! tour, Montreal (2008)

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  Williams playing the bass at SXSW 2008

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  Williams in 2005

See also

In Spanish: Saul Williams para niños