Amir Sulaiman

Biography

Amir Sulaiman is a multi-talented American poet, musician, screenwriter, producer, and activist from Rochester, New York. He first gained national attention through two seasons on HBO's Def Poetry Jam, beginning in 2004, where his socially conscious spoken-word performances resonated with a widespread audience. Since then, he has toured globally, delivering powerful performances that blend hip-hop, spirituality, and social commentary. In music, Sulaiman has released a highly regarded trilogy of spoken-word albums—The Meccan Openings (2011), The Medinan Openings (2012), and The Opening (2013)—as well as a critically acclaimed poetry collection, Love, Gnosis & Other Suicide Attempts, in 2012. His collaboration with Dave Chappelle on the album 8:46 earned a Grammy nomination in 2022 for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album. Transitioning into film and television, Sulaiman has written and produced credits on acclaimed series, such as Ramy (Seasons 2 and 3) for Hulu, and has undertaken projects for platforms including Marvel, Disney+, and HBO—most notably working on Ironheart. His work on these shows has been featured in productions that have received Emmy, Golden Globe, and Peabody nominations. In addition, Sulaiman continues to tour internationally, perform at major events, and engage audiences with his heartfelt poetry rooted in Islam and social justice. To date, Amir Sulaiman has received three Grammy nominations, including for 8:46 and Best Engineered Album for Black Radio III. However, he has yet to secure a win.