Russell Simmons Bringing Poetry Back To HBO

Proving he is committed to the arts, Russell Simmons is set to bring poetry back to HBO with a new show chronicling the lives of young, up and coming poets.

Billed as 'one part Def Poetry Jam and two parts documentary," the special, Russell Simmons Presents Brave New Voices, is said to follow in the footsteps of teens from New York, Philadelphia, Ann Arbor, Sante Fe, Honolulu, and San Francisco as they travel to compete in the National Youth Poetry Slam.

The nationwide contest, filmed in Washington, D.C. last year, was part of a four day Youth Speaks' Brave New Voices festival.

The documentary is narrated by Queen Latifah and is said to feature a cameo from the contest's host Idris Elba.

Brave New Voices is scheduled to premiere on Sunday, April 5 at 11 p.m. EST on HBO.