“NEW SAUL WILLIAMS IS A SOUNDTRACK FOR OUR TIMES” – AFROPUNK
NEPTUNE FROST: A Musical written & Directed by SAUL WILLIAMS
From an otherworldy village made of recycled computer parts a hacking collective performs the most outrageous hacks in US & world history full of social commentary & gutsy platform takeovers. They are the virtual heroes of a world drawn closer and closer to authoritarian rule until they cross the line that takes them from beloved hackers to first-world terrorists. Neptune Frost is the love story between an inter-sex runaway, a coltan miner and the virtual marvel born as a result of their union – MartyrLoserKing- the world’s #1 trend The Authority seeks to end.
BIO:
First establishing himself as an influential poet, and then as an award-winning screenwriter/actor, Saul Williams went on to establish himself as an MC. His approach wasn’t exactly in line with the traditional school of hip-hop. His rhymes weren’t really rhymes but rather his poetry delivered in a frenzied spoken word manner that was more rhythmic than alliterative. His first major recording was a collaboration with KRS-One, “Ocean Within,” which appeared on the soundtrack to Slam, the award-winning film he not only co-wrote but starred in. Around this same time in the late ’90s, he began collaborating with other musicians, one of the more notable and impressive being the title track to drum’n’bass producer Krust’s Coded Language album. These one-off performances, along with the attention that Williams garnered thanks to Slam, led to a deal with Rick Rubin’s American Recordings. In late 2001, the long-awaited and much-hyped Williams solo debut album, Amethyst Rock Star, hit the streets. The album featured a full-scale band and Rubin’s production, with Williams’ manic vocals taking the fore. It wasn’t a straight-ahead rap album, but more rock-rap in the style of Rage Against the Machine. Critical opinion wavered, though Williams indeed seemed to impress many; he was not only invited to the 2001 Detroit Electronic Music Festival but also found himself a popular concert draw in Europe. The 2003 release of Not in My Name on Synchronic found Williams being remixed by Coldcut and DJ Spooky. His 2004 self-titled release appeared on the Fader label. Three years later he would return with The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust, an album recorded with Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor and initially offered as a free download from Reznor’s website. The album was released on CD in 2008. Williams continued to tour and collaborate with artists from all over the globe. He eventually signed to Sony’s Columbia imprint in 2010. He recorded Volcanic Sunlight — his debut for the label — in Paris with renowned producer Renaud Letang and engineer Thomas Moulin. The album was released in November of 2011. Williams then followed up with the conceptual album, MartyrLoserKing, in 2016, which was produced by Justin Warfield and released alongside an accompanying graphic novel. ~ Jason Birchmeier
QUICK FACTS:
Lead actor in Holler If Ya Hear Me,the 2014 Tupac Shakur-inspired Broadway musical, directed by Kenny Leon.
Has performed in over 30 countries including South Africa, Swaziland, Colombia, Brazil, Jamaica, Japan and throughout Europe.
Showcased at reputable venues worldwide including Sydney Opera House (Sydney Arts Festival), The Louvre, Lincoln Center, MOMA (NY, Boston, Chicago, LA, Barcelona, Stockholm), MOCA, The Whitney Museum, The Getty Centre Co-writer and star of Slam (1998) which won Grand Jury Prize (Sundance Film Festival) and Camera D’Or (Cannes Film Festival).
Lectured at over 300 Universities including Yale, Georgetown, Stanford, Harvard and Morehouse College, his alma mater.
Saul Williams named one of top 10 albums of 2004 by Rolling Stone Magazine.
,said the shotgun to the head & The Dead Emcees Scroll transcribed for symphonies by Swiss composer, Thomas Kessler and performed in Berlin, Stuttgart, Vienna, Cologne and Oslo by National Philharmonic.
Starred in Alain Gomis film, Aujourd’hui, premiering at the Berlin Film Festival
Collaborations include: Trent Reznor, Zack de la Rocha, Nas, Janelle Monae, KRS ONE, Sage Francis, Will Oldham, Buckethead, Serj Tankian.
Invited to poetry reading at Michelle Obama’s first poetry reading at The White House.
Tour support for Rage Against The Machine, Nine Inch Nails, Nas, The Mars Volta, System Of A Down, Les Claypool, My Morning Jacket, Gil Scott Heron, De La Soul.
Best actor prize at the FESPACO awards in Burkina Faso for his lead role in Gomis’ film “Aujourd’hui”.
Saul is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School Of The Arts Graduate Acting Program.
Saul acted in over 20 plays before his Slam debut.
Saul’s writings and lesson plans surrounding his work have been added to the curriculum of over 300 schools and universities around the world.
Select Quotes:
“Few have tackled the intersection of identity and expression quite like New York rapper, actor and poet Saul Williams” – CNN
“A profound poet who inspires us.” – Russell Simmons
“Saul is every kind of great artist combined into one.” – Nas
“One of the most inspiring voices in American hip hop.” – Trent Reznor, Nine Inch Nails
