OTEP Partners With 'All Def Poetry' To Release 'Crawling Up' Spoken-Word Performance

In addition to her prolific music catalog OTEP frontwoman Otep Shamaya is famous for her thought-provoking, spoken-word performances. So much so that she is considered a Def Poetry All Star, having appeared on Russell Simmons's "Def Poetry Jam" on HBO.

With that being the case, Otep has once again partnered up with Russell Simmons on his "All Def Poetry" project. "All Def Poetry" is a new channel brought to you by Russell Simmons — a world-renowned champion of the spoken-word art form. Fresh, riveting, and featuring some of the best voices in the genre, "All Def Poetry" brings you the raw power of spoken word.

Beginning today, you can watch Otep's "All Def Poetry" performance of "Crawling Up". Otep partnered with director Aleks Rastovic and "All Def Poetry" to create this piece.

Otep spoke about her past and current collaborations with Russell Simmons and "All Def Poetry". She said: "I've partnered with Russell Simmons and 'All Def Poetry' to create the future of spoken-word performance.

"My performances on HBO's 'Def Poetry' changed my life. I appeared on HBO's 'Def Poetry' twice before and am so honored to partner again with Russell Simmons and 'All Def Poetry' to create a new platform for spoken-word artists."

OTEP's seventh studio album, "Generation Doom", which was released on April 15 via Napalm. The CD was produced by Howard Benson, who has previously worked with such acts as MOTÖRHEAD, PAPA ROACH, THREE DAYS GRACE, FLYLEAF, P.O.D. and HALESTORM.

OTEP was formed in Los Angeles in 2000 and immediately signed to Capitol Records, an achievement based solely on the strength of its live performance. They were selected to appear at Ozzfest after Sharon Osbourne witnessed one of these incendiary performances. Their debut at Ozzfest was only their ninth live show, a major achievement for any band. It would be the kick-off for a career spanning 16 years.