Bassey Ikpi (pronounced with an "Ahhh")

This Nigerian born spoken word artist has appeared on HBO’s Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry an astounding 5 times. She has opened up for Grammy nominated artists India Arie, Les Nubians and Luther Vandross. As a member of the all woman poetry collective, Diva Diction, Bassey appeared on the NAACP Image Awards as part of a tribute to Venus and Serena Williams. Bassey has also been a featured cast member of the National Touring Company of the Tony Award winning Broadway show, Russell Simmon’s