Plot Synopsis

VERSES AND FLOW features musical performances from some of the industries best R&B talents and spoken word from known music artists and respected poets. In each 30-minute episode, the host introduces each segment of the show, including a performance from one of the following neo-soul, R&B or Hip Hop artists: Grammy-winning music artists Melanie Fiona and Marsha Ambrosius; Grammy-nominated artists Tyrese and Angie Stone; Ledisi; KEM; Estelle; Naturally 7; and others. In addition, two or three of these people recite spoken word: M'reld Green, Aaron Samuels, Cathy Hughes, Thea Monyee, David Banner, Javon Johnson, Charles Peters, Gina Loring, Pharoahe Monch, Prentice Powell, Ray Grant, Bone Crusher, Bridget Gray, Brianni Blue, Jon Goode, and Georgia Me. Season 2, which was filmed at the historical Belasco Theater in Downtown Los Angeles, CA, featured poets and R&B artists like Chrisette Michele, Musiq, Eric Benet, Carl Thomas, Tank, Macy Gray, Tamia, Luke James and Elle Varner. Season 3 debuted with back-to-back new episodes on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at 9pm ET/PT on TV One. The program's third season, once again filmed at the historic Belasco Theater in downtown Los Angeles, featured R&B singer-songwriters, including Andra Day, Anthony Hamilton, Avant, Bel Biv Devoe, BJ The Chicago Kid, Bridget Kelly, Faith Evans, Jill Scott, Kenny Lattimore, Mary Mary, Q Parker, Raheem DeVaughn, RaVaughn, Tony Rich and Vivian Green. They were joined by spoken word performances from poets Aaron White, Ainsley Burrows, Ashley August, Ashley Catherine, Ayinde Russell, Beni Villafana, 'Fiveology' (Andrew Tyree, Javon Johnson, Prentice Powell, Rudy Francisco and Shawn Williams), Carlos Gomez, Chas Jackson, Dasan Ahanu, David Bianchi, Dominique Ashaheed, Ed Mabrey, George Yamazawa, Imani Cezanne, In-Q, Jon Goode, Joyce Lee, Maestro Gamin, Megan Falley, Miles Hodges with Carvens Lissaint, Paul Mabon, Queen D, Reggie Eldridge, Safia Elhillo, Se7en, Sha'Condria 'iCon' Sible, Soulful Jones, Storm Thomas, The Saint, Theresa Tha Songbird, Tre G., Verb and Vision. On Saturday, August 16, 2014 at 10pm ET/PT, TV One aired the Season 4 premiere of VERSES & FLOW with new host Laz Alonso and performances by Maxwell accompanied by Adam Blackstone, spoken word artists Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Miles Hodges, Chiara Richardson, and the celebrity participants of ICON-MANN. The eight-episode fourth season also includes performances by K. Michelle, Joe, Johnny Gill, Ruben Studdard, Candice Glover, Gary Clark Jr., Sebastian Mikael, Leela James, Anthony Hamilton, Alice Smith, Mali Music alongside more than 25 of the best up-and-coming poets. Plus, Season 4 spotlights the inspirational work of ICON MANN, an organization that aims to generate a positive dialog surrounding Black men doing positive work in their communities through their contributions in entertainment, business, and Fortune 500 industries committed to philanthropy and public service. VERSES & FLOW returned for its fifth season on Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 10pm ET/PT on TV One, with Laz Alonso coming back as host. Season 5 includes these performances: Charlie Wilson with spoken word artists The Poet Puff Girls, Hieu Minh Nguyen and Rob Gibsun; Leela James and Chrisette Michele with spoken word artists Thomas 'Tom Cat' Hill & Malachi Byrd, Denice Frohman and Pages Matam; Estelle with spoken word artists The Saint, Marquesha Babers and Carvens Lissaint with Joshua Bennett; Melanie Fiona and Raekwon featuring Assassin with spoken word artists Tre G, Will Cat, and SaeLah; Avery Sunshine with spoken word artists Nikki Blak Jesse, Parent and Rob Gibsun returns; Jazmine Sullivan with spoken word artists Morgan 'Momo' Butler & Malachi Byrd, Amin 'Drew' Law and Ed Mabrey; Sevyn Streeter and B.o.B with spoken word artists Megan Falley & Olivia Gatwood, Ethan Walker Smith and Prentice Powell; and Jussie Smollett with spoken word artists Jamila Lyiscott, Tyson Swanson and Michael 'Chief' Peterson, Prentice Powell and Black Ice join forces.
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On Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at 11pm ET/PT, TV One premiered a 90-minute VERSES & FLOW special, as Dondre Whitfield hosts a one-night event of music and poetry featuring Joe, Lloyd, Lion Babe, Ro James, Dreezy and Kevin Ross, who share the stage with some of the biggest names in slam poetry, including Prentice Powell, Javon Johnson, Paul Mabon, Pages Matam, G Yamazawa, Elizabeth Acevedo, Imani Cezanne, Edwin Bodney & Fisseha Moges, Chiara Richardson, Michael 'Chief' Peterson, Roya Marsh, Ed Mabrey and Mia Julian.