Going one-step beyond his critically-acclaimed Def Poetry series, hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons has linked up with HBO once again for a new show documenting the lives of young, aspiring poets.

Described as “one part Def Poetry jam and two parts documentary,” Russell Simmons Presents Brave New Voices follows teens from New York, Philadelphia, Ann Arbor, Sante Fe, Honolulu and San Francisco as they prepare to face off in the National Youth Poetry Slam Competition. The contest, which took place last year, is a part of Youth Speaks’ annual four-day Brave New Voices Festival in Washington, D.C.

The series will be narrated by rapper/actress Queen Latifah and will feature a cameo from Idris Elba (The Wire) who hosted the poetry slam finals.

Brave New Voices premieres this Sunday (April 5) at 11p.m. EST on HBO [Watch a trailer for the show below]. - Elan Mancini

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