Chance the Rapper is showing no signs of slowing down. The Chicago rapper is in talks to host the reboot of the HBO series Def Poetry Jam, which aired from 2002-2007. Show creator Russell Simmons —who has a long relationship with HBO — excitedly tweeted on Friday about the negotiations with Chance.
Super excited. Been in negotiation with @chancetherapper to host Def poetry jam for HBO. !!!! Would u guys like to see that #Emmys
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) July 14, 2017
According to Deadline, who confirmed the news, the spinoff would be called All Def Poetry.
The original Def Poetry Jam was a spin off of Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam with Mos Def aka Yasiin Bey as the host. Famous singers and musicians such as Erykah Badu and Jill Scott graced the stage to bless our spirits with music and soul-stirring spoken word. It aired from 2002-07.
Chance is no stranger to poetry. During a recent surprise visit to the Washington, D.C., NPR offices, he performed his music and a brand new poem for the Tiny Desk Concert series. We have no doubt he would be perfect for the role and would bring in an entirely new audience to the niche world of spoken word.
With his possible involvement in this project with Simmons and HBO and his recent work to save SoundCloud, we’re really starting to think that Chance is the hero we all need.
