To regard Tony Award winner POETRI as just a poet would be underestimating his abilities. As a writer/producer, he has worked on “Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry Jam” on HBO and Broadway, for which he was a featured player as a prominent Def Poet. Look for him on the new season starting in Feb.  POETRI has also written and/or appeared on over 150 commercials for clients like Nike, NFL Films and BET and Arby’s.  Poetri has worked with such legends as Curtis Mayfield, Bootsy Collins and Nona Hendrix, as well as some of today’s stars like LL Cool J, ?uestlove, John Sally and Malcolm-Jamal Warner.  He is also the voice Non-Stop-Pop on Delta Airlines, as well hosting one of Hollywood’s hottest nights at Miyagi’s on Sunset called Spoken Funk.  He is one of the first poets in this new generation to smash the theory that “poets don’t make any money”.

Although Poetri exudes vastness in every aspect of his career, his true passion is acting. You may have already caught his charm and lovable personality on such shows as “The Today Show on NBC”, “Showtime at the Apollo” and VH-1 PSA’S for Black History Month. But POETRI has also had major appearances in the smash hit movie “Blades of Glory “ with Will Ferrell and the upcoming sequel “National Treasure Two” with Nicolas Cage and “Yes Man” with Jim Carrey. He also has appeared in “The Horse Whisperer” alongside Jennifer Love Hewitt, “Just Jordan” on Nickelodeon, “Lincoln Heights” on ABC Family and a reoccurring role on the EMMY Award winning show Starting Over, the record breaking Snickers digi-sodes “Instant Def” along with the Black Eyed Peas, as well as being a major thread to the storyline of the ground-breaking reality documentary “Black.White”, which was executive produced by Ice Cube and R.J. Cutler 

But his work doesn’t stop there. Poetri hosts the largest weekly poetry venue in the nation, with an attendance of over 350 people every Tuesday. Da’ Poetry Lounge has not only broadened the appeal of spoken word in Los Angeles, but has become a haven for young people to come and express their emotions in a positive atmosphere. 

Spoken word is in full stride and Poetri is leading the way.