While classified as rap or hip-hop, there isn't really a true genre in which to place the music of Saul Williams. Williams' lyrics are an adaptation of his poetry and delivered in a rhythmic spoken word form rather than a traditional rhyming style. He first made a name for himself as a poet and a screenwriter before making the switch to the musical world. His recording debut came in in late ‘90s with KRS-One for the soundtrack to Slam, a film which Williams not only co-wrote but also starred in. After collaborating with several other notable artists, Williams landed himself a record deal with American Recordings.

His debut album, Amethyst Rock Star, was released in 2001 equipped with a rousing rock-rap style. The politically-charged lyrics and obscure style may have put some people off, but the album was innovative if nothing else. European audiences seemed to have more of an appreciation for, or perhaps a better understanding of, the effort. In 2003 Williams followed up Amethyst Rock Star with Not in My Name, an anti-war protest album. 2004's self-title album didn't help critics categorize Williams' music. The music on this release was somewhat more accessible to the common listener, but still did not fit into any specific genre. Former Rage Against the Machine frontman Zack de la Rocha appears on the album, not a surprise as Williams' rock-rap sound and politically-driven message goes hand in hand with the work of Rage.

2007 brought Williams' most intriguing work yet in the form of his collaboration with Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor, The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardus. Creating an alter-ego just as David Bowie did on his The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, Williams forges ahead with harder beats than heard on his previous works, accompanied by Reznor's trademark aggressive yet ambient stylings.