The Cast of Slam: Where Are They Now

A glance at the cast behind this poetic indie favorite

Slam (1998) - The gritty indie film Slam was among a handful of projects taking viewers into the rising world of spoken word poetry. Set in the violent and drug-addled streets of Southeast Washington, D.C., the movie centers on Raymond Joshua, a promising writer whose talent is stifled by the pull of his crime-ridden neighborhood. The film garnered notice after it won the Grand Jury Prize (Drama) at the Sundance Film Festival. On the 14th anniversary of this indie favorite, here's a look at what the cast has been up to.  (Photo: Off Line Entertainment)

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Slam (1998) - The gritty indie film Slam was among a handful of projects taking viewers into the rising world of spoken word poetry. Set in the violent and drug-addled streets of Southeast Washington, D.C., the movie centers on Raymond Joshua, a promising writer whose talent is stifled by the pull of his crime-ridden neighborhood. The film garnered notice after it won the Grand Jury Prize (Drama) at the Sundance Film Festival. On the 14th anniversary of this indie favorite, here's a look at what the cast has been up to. (Photo: Off Line Entertainment)

Saul Williams - Spoken word poet Saul Williams starred as Raymond Joshua, a young man whose gift for poetry was being thwarted by drug dealing and violence. Following Slam, Williams snagged sporadic but noteworthy acting gigs like the Emmy-winning TV movie Lackawanna Blues and a recurring role on Girlfriends. Currently, Williams tours as an alternative hip hop/spoken word music act.   (Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

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Saul Williams - Spoken word poet Saul Williams starred as Raymond Joshua, a young man whose gift for poetry was being thwarted by drug dealing and violence. Following Slam, Williams snagged sporadic but noteworthy acting gigs like the Emmy-winning TV movie Lackawanna Blues and a recurring role on Girlfriends. Currently, Williams tours as an alternative hip hop/spoken word music act.  (Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Sonja Sohn - Actress Sonja Sohn was cast as Lauren Bell, the prison teacher who convinced Raymond to pay more attention to his talents than the streets. In 2002, Sohn went on to her signature role, Detective Shakima Greggs, on the classic series The Wire. On TV, the actress keeps busy starring in such shows as Body of Proof and Brothers & Sisters.  (Photo: John W. Ferguson/Getty Images)

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Sonja Sohn - Actress Sonja Sohn was cast as Lauren Bell, the prison teacher who convinced Raymond to pay more attention to his talents than the streets. In 2002, Sohn went on to her signature role, Detective Shakima Greggs, on the classic series The Wire. On TV, the actress keeps busy starring in such shows as Body of Proof and Brothers & Sisters. (Photo: John W. Ferguson/Getty Images)

Bonz Malone - Entertainment journalist Bonz Malone was cast as influential prison don, Hopha. Malone, who rose to journalistic prominence as a columnist for Vibe magazine, continued building his acting résumé, starring in films like Life, Shaft and Brooklyn Babylon. (Photo: Gregorio Binuya/Getty Images)

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Bonz Malone - Entertainment journalist Bonz Malone was cast as influential prison don, Hopha. Malone, who rose to journalistic prominence as a columnist for Vibe magazine, continued building his acting résumé, starring in films like Life, Shaft and Brooklyn Babylon. (Photo: Gregorio Binuya/Getty Images)

Beau Sia - Poet Beau Sia landed the role of Jimmy Huang. After Slam, Sia didn't land acting gigs outside of bit parts, playing a wedding czar in Rachel Getting Married (2008) and a drug store clerk in Hitch (2005). (Photo: Lawrence Lucier/Getty Images)

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Beau Sia - Poet Beau Sia landed the role of Jimmy Huang. After Slam, Sia didn't land acting gigs outside of bit parts, playing a wedding czar in Rachel Getting Married (2008) and a drug store clerk in Hitch (2005). (Photo: Lawrence Lucier/Getty Images)

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KRS-One - This rap legend didn't let his mile-high jitters slow him down last year when he was presented the opportunity to tour Australia. He arrived Down Under via ship, a journey that took four weeks from Los Angeles, and then toured the outback via car. (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

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KRS-One - Hip hop legend KRS-One performed the song "Ocean Within" for the Slam soundtrack. Along with continuing to make classic hip hop tunes like 2009's "Hip Hop Lives" the Blastmaster also founded the organization, Temple of Hip Hop. (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Marc Levin - Director Marc Levin helmed Slam. Since then, the award-winning auteur director focusing on projects which keenly spotlight the realities of urban living. Aside from directing films like Whiteboyz and Brooklyn Babylon, he's also helmed reality series like Brick City (featuring the Mayor of Newark, Cory Booker) and America Undercover.    (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for HBO)

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Marc Levin - Director Marc Levin helmed Slam. Since then, the award-winning auteur director focusing on projects which keenly spotlight the realities of urban living. Aside from directing films like Whiteboyz and Brooklyn Babylon, he's also helmed reality series like Brick City (featuring the Mayor of Newark, Cory Booker) and America Undercover.   (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for HBO)

Henri Kessler - Slam was produced by Henri Kessler, who went on to produce two more Marc Levin films, Brooklyn  Babylon and Whiteboyz. (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

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Henri Kessler - Slam was produced by Henri Kessler, who went on to produce two more Marc Levin films, Brooklyn  Babylon and Whiteboyz. (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Inside The Label, Season 1, Highlights, Terror Squad, Fat Joe, Big Pun

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Big Pun  - Big Pun performed the song "Sex, Money & Thugs" on the Slam soundtrack. The Latino wordsmith became a hip hop music superstar following the release of his Capital Punishment LP in 1999. A year later, he suffered a fatal heart attack which would end his life and promising music career.  (Photo: Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect)