[01/24/24 - 07:33 AM] Paramount+ Announces New Documentary "As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial" to Premiere February 27 The eye-opening documentary follows Bronx rap artist Kemba as he explores the growing weaponization of rap lyrics in the United States criminal-justice system and abroad.
[via press release from CBS]
PARAMOUNT+ ANNOUNCES NEW DOCUMENTARY "AS WE SPEAK: RAP MUSIC ON TRIAL" TO PREMIERE FEBRUARY 27
Produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, District 33,
Park Pictures and Strike Anywhere
January 24, 2024 - Paramount+ today announced that the new feature-length documentary AS WE SPEAK: RAP MUSIC ON TRIAL, which had its world premiere screening at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, will stream exclusively on the service beginning Tuesday, February 27 in the U.S. and Canada and Wednesday, February 28 in the UK, Australia, Latin America, Brazil, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
Directed by J.M. Harper (jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy, Don't Go Tellin' Your Momma), the eye-opening documentary AS WE SPEAK: RAP MUSIC ON TRIAL follows Bronx rap artist Kemba as he explores the growing weaponization of rap lyrics in the United States criminal-justice system and abroad. His exploration reveals how law enforcement has quietly used artistic creation as evidence in criminal cases for decades.
Since the 1990s, more than 700 criminal court cases have used rap lyrics as evidence against defendants, and with the recent criminal trial of rapper Young Thug, this issue has become more mainstream and in the public eye. The film doesn't ask whether someone is innocent or guilty; it asks whether lyrics can be used for conviction.
"It's not every day a director gets to meet a once-in-a-generation rap artist like Kemba and then has the opportunity to spotlight him in a film like AS WE SPEAK: RAP ON TRIAL," said director J.M. Harper. "The history of black lyrics on trial predates hip-hop by hundreds of years, and thanks to the crew at District 33, Park Pictures and Strike Anywhere, we found a way to bring the story of the music to life. The trust and support from our friends at Paramount+ truly enabled us to make this documentary from the artist's point of view. We look forward to inspiring positive change in our broken criminal-justice system."
AS WE SPEAK: RAP MUSIC ON TRIAL is directed and produced by J.M. Harper and produced by Sam Widdoes and Peter Cambor for District 33 and Sam Bisbee for Park Pictures. Executive producers include Ryan Simon for Strike Anywhere, Cody Ryder for Park Pictures, Bruce Gillmer and Amanda Culkowski for MTV Entertainment Studios, and Max Allman. The documentary made its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22.
About Paramount+
Paramount+, a direct-to-consumer digital subscription video on-demand and live streaming service, combines live sports, breaking news and A Mountain of Entertainment(TM). The streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel. Paramount+ with SHOWTIME(R), the service's cornerstone plan, is also home to SHOWTIME(R) content, including scripted hits and critically acclaimed nonfiction projects and films. This premium plan includes unmatched events and sports programming through the local live CBS stream, including golf, basketball and more. All Paramount+ subscribers have streaming access to CBS News Network for 24/7 news and CBS Sports HQ for sports news and analysis.
For more information about Paramount+, please visit www.paramountplus.com, and follow @ParamountPlus on social media.
About SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios & Paramount Media Networks
SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios & Paramount Media Networks is a global network of media assets that reaches over one billion people in more than 180 countries featuring some of the most iconic brands in entertainment including SHOWTIME, MTV, Comedy Central and Paramount Network among others - and, its Studios arm which produces 120+ series annually, including some of today's biggest hits such as Yellowstone, Yellowjackets, Emily in Paris, 1883, 1923, George & Tammy, South Park, Tulsa King, RuPaul's Drag Race, The Challenge and Jersey Shore, to name a few.
· SHOWATCH (series past and present)
· DEVWATCH (series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH (tv movies and mini-series)
[11/22/24 - 01:31 PM] Video: "Suits LA" Arrives February 2025 - NBC The all-new spinoff of the beloved legal drama, starring Stephen Amell, Lex Scott Davis, Josh McDermitt, and Bryan Greenberg, lands on the West Coast.
[11/22/24 - 10:15 AM] Apple's Drama "Your Friends & Neighbors" Lands Early Season Two Renewal Starring and executive produced by Emmy Award winner Jon Hamm, "Your Friends & Neighbors" will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, April 11 with two episodes, followed by one new episode weekly through Friday, May 30.
[11/22/24 - 06:31 AM] Video: "Chef's Table" Volume 7 - Official Teaser - Netflix Meet five world-class chefs who redefine culinary boundaries with delicious, innovative dishes honoring their diverse cultures and personal philosophies.
[11/22/24 - 05:41 AM] "They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce" Set for January 2025 on ESPN Airing on Friday nights/early Saturday mornings, the new personality-driven, one-hour program will take its inspiration from traditional late-night television, emphasizing a comedic approach throughout all five scheduled episodes which run in conjunction with the finale of the NFL regular season and playoffs.
[11/22/24 - 03:01 AM] Video: "Ad Vitam" - Official Trailer - Netflix After escaping an attempted murder, Franck Lazarev (Guillaume Canet) must find his wife Léo, who has been kidnapped by a mysterious group of armed men.
[11/21/24 - 04:00 PM] ABC Presents a Two-Night Special Event To Commemorate the Diamond Anniversary of "Mary Poppins" First, "The Untold Story of Mary Poppins: A Special Edition of 20/20," a two-hour special from ABC News Studios chock full of rarely seen footage, photos and stories from the film's living legends, airs Wednesday, November 27 on ABC and streams next day on Hulu and Disney+.