Presented by The Tuning Fork and San Fran, visionary poet, musician and cultural icon Saul Williams has joined forces with acclaimed percussionist, producer and sonic curator Carlos Niño for a special run of New Zealand shows this June.
Together, Saul Williams and Carlos Niño have received a GRAMMY Award nomination for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album for their collaborative project Saul Williams meets Carlos Niño & Friends, a live-recorded work that captures a fully improvised performance and highlights the depth of their creative connection.
Saul Williams is an American poet, rapper, actor, and musician known for his powerful fusion of spoken word, hip-hop, and alternative music.
Emerging from New York’s slam poetry scene, he gained widespread acclaim through his breakout film Slam and his debut album Amethyst Rock Star, produced by Rick Rubin, going on to release influential works including The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust! and Volcanic Sunlight.
His multidisciplinary career spans music, film and literature, and most recently includes a standout role in the feature film Sinners, further cementing his status as one of the most vital and genre-defying voices in contemporary culture.
Carlos Niño is a prolific producer, percussionist and composer whose work is rooted in collaboration, improvisation and expansive sound. Best known for his ongoing project Carlos Niño & Friends, he has built a career connecting generations of forward-thinking musicians, alongside extensive work across projects, including his role as co-producer on André 3000’s New Blue Sun.
For audiences in New Zealand, these shows offer a first opportunity to experience two singular artists sharing the stage, bringing decades of influence, collaboration and experimentation into a live setting shaped by spontaneity and connection.
SAN FRAN, WELLINGTON
MONDAY 8 JUNE
THE TUNING FORK, AUCKLAND
TUESDAY 9 JUNE
