Russell Simmons Presents "Brave New Voices"

Media Personality Envy McKee's Last Show on 100.3 The Beat Featured on the new HBO Series

"Brave New Voices" narrated by Queen Latifah

As luck would have it; Envy McKee aired her last show on 100.3 The Beat (WPHI) Philadelphia on Mother’s Day of 2008. Almost a year later, portions of that show will be featured on a new HBO series: “Russell Simmons Presents: Brave New Voices”. HBO is calling Brave New Voices “part Def Poetry and part documentary” and follows youth poetry teams from around the country as they prepare for the national youth poetry championship in Washington D.C. The series is produced by Hip Hop magnate Russell Simmons and renowned TV and movie director and producer Stan Lathan. It is narrated by Oscar nominated actress Queen Latifah and the national championship is hosted by well known British actor, Idris Elba.

Brave New Voices also features young poets from Philadelphia. That’s where Envy McKee comes in the picture, quite literally. It turns out HBO came to the 100.3 The Beat studios last year to film several young Philadelphian poets who are featured in the series and Envy’s ‘Poetic Activism’ show.

Envy says of the appearance: “Brave New Voices is a marvel. Who knew that I literally have a time capsule of the greatest show I have ever produced for radio—I was honored to share the mic with literal poetry greats—all from Philadelphia—Ursula Rucker, Just Greg, and Black Ice. Then I got to witness the emergence of a new poetic great-- Josh Bennett. To have that show on HBO is amazing. To have my greatest work live on a year later in this way…priceless.”

McKee left her talk show gig on 100.3 The Beat last year to pursue her burgeoning television talk show career and is the host of “The Envy McKee Show with Michael Shawn”, which also begins airing this month on local Comcast 21. “Russell Simmons Presents: Brave New Voices” can be seen Sundays at 11PM on HBO. Envy McKee will be featured on the series’ second episode, slated to air Sunday April 12, 2009 at 11PM. Check local listings for details and re-airs.