VIDEO: HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME's Saul Williams Chats Role; Performs on 'Colbert'

Poet, musician and actor Saul Williams, will soon star in the Tupac-inspired Broadway musical "Holler If Ya Hear Me", appeared on last night's The Colbert Report on Comedy Central. Below, Williams chats about his role and delivers a performance of "Amethyst Rocks" from his book, "The Dead Emcee Scrolls."

HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME, the new Broadway musical inspired by the lyrics of Tupac Shakur, will begin previews on Monday, June 2. The show will have its official opening on Thursday, June 19 at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway at 47th Street). Holler If Ya Hear Me is written by Todd Kreidler and directed by Kenny Leon.

The cast of Holler If Ya Hear Me stars award-winning slam poet, actor, singer, musician Saul Williams (Slam), Christopher Jackson (After Midnight), Saycon Sengbloh (Motown The Musical, Fela!), Ben Thompson (Matilda), John Earl Jelks (Radio Golf - Tony nomination), Joshua Boone (Brownsville Song [b side for Tray] at Actors Theatre of Louisville), Dyllon Burnside ("Prison Break") and Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins (Jelly's Last Jam, Caroline or Change, Play On!)

HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME, the world inside Tupac Shakur's music and lyrics, blazes to life in a non-biographical story about friendship, family, revenge, change and hope. Inner city lives struggle for peace against the daily challenges they face in this entertaining and original musical. Through the poetry of one of the 20th century's most influential and culturally prominent voices, we are given a window into realities of the streets still relevant today.

Saul Williams plays John, Christopher Jackson is Vertus, Saycon Sengbloh is Corinne, Ben Thompson plays Griffy, John Earl Jelks plays Street Preacher,Joshua Boone is Darius, Dyllon Burnside is Anthony and Tonya Pinkins plays Mrs. Weston.

The cast also features Tracee Beazer (Memphis), Afi Bijou (Fela!), Mel Charlot (Three-time World Hip Hop Champion), Carrie Compere (Shrek National Tour), Otis Cotton, Ryan Davis (danced for Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj),Brandon Gill (Neighbors at The Public), Ariana Groover (Bare Off-Broadway), F. Michael Haynie (Wicked), Jared Joseph (Book of Mormon National Tour), Jahi Kearse (Baby It's You), Muata Langley (freestyle Krump performer), Candace Maxwell, Valentine Norton ("American Idol"), Christina Sajous (Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark), Charlene "Chi Chi" Smith, Jaime Lincoln Smith (RuinedOff-Broadway), Donald Webber, Jr. (Motown The Musical) and Joaquina Kalukango (Godspell).