Saul Williams is a critically acclaimed, poet, musician and actor who shot to fame after his appearance in the 1998 film Slam. After gaining international recognition for his poetry and writings, Williams has since performed in over thirty countries and read in over 300 universities. He's performed in environments ranging from slums and townships, to the White House and the Louvre. The New York native has recorded with Nine Inch Nails and Allen Ginsburg, performed alongside hip hop legends such as KRS-One, Nas, The Fugees and has made countless film and television appearances. Following the release of his sixth studio album Martyr Loser King, he's touring the UK this summer.
Every time I hear a new Saul Williams album it feels like a refreshing splash of good old fashioned activism with a vibrant, modern feel. This new offering, Martyr Loser King, is no different other than its new focus on technology, and what our technological advancements as a race imply in regards to our humanity and soul. He cascades poetry over his and Justin Warfield's production; a crisp, lively take on nineties industrial electronica for a nuanced, entirely original sound.
Clearly encompassing a plethora of cultures track by track, Williams engages the digital dialogue between the first and third Worlds. He approaches the concept of the internet as a new digital frontier for social justice, illustrating the idea that the web allows us to communicate, witness events, educate ourselves and acquire things previously unavailable to us, regardless of where we might live. He does this, however, in a cautionary manner; elucidating that this new computerised existence is a double-edged sword; it can also be used as a means for us to facilitate mankind's inherent greed and gluttony, appropriate culture and spread misinformation or oppressive rhetoric.
His live shows are notoriously creative and different. Whatever your taste, Williams' charismatic energy levels and compelling lyricism are a combination not to be missed.
Saul Williams performs live at the Rescue Rooms on Saturday 25 June. Get tickets here
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