Saul Williams (born 1972, Newburgh, New York) is an American poet, musician, and actor whose work cuts across spoken word, hip-hop, and experimental rock. He rose to prominence with the 1998 Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning film Slam, which he co-wrote and starred in, and later collaborated with Trent Reznor on the 2007 album The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust. His performances fuse music and politically charged poetry into a single, inseparable act.
Williams released his new album Leap Life and announced a companion book, Songs My Mother Taught Me: Why the Artist Must Take Sides, both out in fall 2026.
Williams is scheduled to perform at Dekmantel Festival 2026 in Amsterdam.
Williams's spoken word LP Saul Williams Meets Carlos Niño & Friends At Treepeople received a Grammy nomination for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
Williams appeared as preacher Jedidiah Moore in Ryan Coogler's supernatural horror film Sinners, which grossed over $371 million at the box office.
Williams co-directed the Afrofuturist musical film Neptune Frost, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2021.
concertGenre-defying artist Saul Williams brings his new album Leap Life to Stockholm, blending spoken word, hip-hop, jazz and experimental music in a singular performance.
concert18:30American musician and poet Saul Williams performs at Debaser Hornstulls Strand in Stockholm.
concert19:00American hip-hop artist and poet Saul Williams performs his characteristic mix of rap, poetry, and experimental music at Pustervik.