Biography
Who is Saul Williams?
Early life and education
Saul Stacey Williams was born in Newburgh, New York. He was the youngest of three children. He attended Newburgh Free Academy. While he was there, he wrote a song called Black Stacey.
He later went to Morehouse College. He earned a BA in philosophy and acting. He moved to New York City for further studies. He received an MFA in acting from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.
Poetry and acting career
Saul became an open mic poet in 1995. He won the Grand Slam Champion title at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in 1996. A documentary called SlamNation features him and his 1996 poetry slam team.
He played the lead role in the 1998 movie Slam. He also wrote for that film. The movie won the Cannes Camera D'Or and the Sundance Festival Grand Jury Prize. He acted in the film Today in 2012.
Music and albums
Saul Williams entered the music world around 1998. He performed with Nas, Erykah Badu, and The Fugees. He also worked with KRS-One and Blackalicious. In 2001, he released the album Amethyst Rock Star with Rick Rubin.
He put out a self titled album in September 2004. He toured Europe in 2005 and North America in 2006 with Nine Inch Nails. He appeared on the album Year Zero. Trent Reznor co produced his 2007 album NiggyTardust!.
Writing and directing
Saul Williams has written for Esquire and The New York Times. His work also appeared in African Voices and Bomb Magazine. He published four poetry collections.
In 2006, he wrote a poetry book called NGH WHT, The Dead Emcee Scrolls. He released a reading of this book in 2009 with The Arditti Quartet. He also contributed to the 2011 album Baba Love.
Personal life and beliefs
Saul Williams identifies as queer and is a vegan. He has criticized wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He wrote anti war songs called Not in My Name and Act III Scene 2 (Shakespeare). In 2011, he joined Occupy Musicians to fight income inequality.
He had a relationship with artist Marcia Jones starting in 1995. He wrote the poems in S/HE about their breakup. He has a son with Fatima Robinson.
Birthday and age
Saul Williams was born on February 29, 1972, which makes Saul 54 years old today. That birthday falls under the Pisces sign. Saul shares the date with 16 other famous people.
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