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Posted by Robert
Rap News Network
7/22/2004 9:00:00 AM
Tags and topics realted to this article include Russell Simmons.
The Investigation Channel(TM) - presents a unique one-hour documentary special, Russell Simmons Presents: Hip Hop Justice(TM), premiering October 6, 2004 at 10 PM ET/PT. Presented by Russell Simmons, Chairman of Simmons Lathan Media Group, co-founder of Def Jam Records and the man credited with introducing hip hop into the mainstream, the program investigates the compelling link between hip hop superstars and law enforcement. The program is the first in a series of documentaries on Court TV, and will address hot-button issues including profiling, sexual exploitation, and gang violence, as well as examine how law enforcement views young, successful hip hop artists whose "thuggish" artistic style often appears as integral to their personas as it is to their music.
The special will provide investigative reports into three of hip hop's most famous clashes with the law and the United States government: the arrest and conviction of rap superstar Master P's brother, C-Murder; the actions and allegations that led to the sexual assault charges leveled against Tupac Shakur; and the government raid on Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records offices. Court TV will provide in-depth reports and interviews in an attempt to determine whether the charges in these cases were accurate and unbiased, or if they were examples of law enforcement "stereotyping" of rappers and hip hop artists.
"Hip hop artists have long been the target of law enforcement and government officials," said Russell Simmons, co-founder of Simmons Lathan Media Group. "Hip Hop Justice(TM) seeks to investigate and reveal this underexposed history between law enforcement and hip hop's biggest stars."
"Our partners at Court TV and Digital Ranch Productions share our vision that investigative television and film are the most compelling tools we have for revealing the truth about bias and social prejudice in America today," said Will Griffin, president and COO of Simmons Lathan Media Group.
Program highlights include interviews with rapper C-Murder himself, The Reverend Run of Run DMC (and brother of Russell Simmons), as well as lead detectives and legal insiders involved in the cases, including C-Murder's attorney Ron Rakowsky, and Harvard Law School Professor Charles Ogletree, who represented Tupac Shakur.
Russell Simmons Presents: Hip Hop Justice(TM) is produced for Court TV by Simmons Lathan Media Group (SLMG) and Digital Ranch Productions. Serving as Executive Producers on the program were Russell Simmons, and his SLMG partners Stan Lathan and Will Griffin, along with Digital Ranch owners Robert Kirk and Rob Lihani, and John Davies. Anthony Horn served as Executive Producer for Court TV.
Simmons Lathan Media Group (SLMG) produces, acquires and distributes original urban/hip-hop themed media content, including: fiction and non-fiction film, television, radio, Internet, and theatrical productions. Founded by media entrepreneur Will Griffin, in partnership with hip hop mogul Russell Simmons and television pioneer Stan Lathan, the tandem who developed ground breaking shows like Def Comedy Jam and the Tony(TM) Award winning Def Poetry on Broadway, SLMG is redefining the way urban media content is developed and distributed to the 45.3 million ethnically diverse urban consumer audience. For more information on SLMG visit: www.simmonslathan.com.
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