Russell Simmons’ "Russell Simmons Presents: Hip-Hop Justice" airs
tonight, the first in a series of upcoming documentaries the mogul’s Simmons
Lathan Media Group is producing.
The documentary
examines three high profile court cases, including the murder conviction of
C-Murder, the allegations surrounding Tupac Shakur’s rape case and the
government raid on the offices of Irv Gotti’s Murder Inc. Records.
Harvard graduate
Will Griffin, President of Simmons Lathan Media Group, said the show also uncovered
new and unheard evidence surrounding Tupac’s rape case, the existence
of a Hip-Hop Task Force in New York and Miami and the first ever television
interview with Derrick Parker, the former NYPD officer who says he started the
Hip-Hop Task Force.
“Police and
the judicial system are targeting Hip-Hop artists and their fans based on their
lyrics, stage names and other elements of the culture,” Griffin told AllHipHop.com.
“Since millions of us in the culture also adopt those elements of the
culture we could also find ourselves targeted if we do not shine light and the
situation and attempt to put a stop to it. In many cases Hip Hop profiling is
just another form of racial profiling and we have to speak out about it.”
Nelson George,
Ice-T, LL Cool J, David Banner, Rev. Run, Kanye West, Dream Hampton and others
are featured on the documentary.
SLMG has several
other television efforts being developed. Simmons will develop a documentary
titled “Hip-Hop Laws of Success” as well as a video series titled
“Russell Simmons Presents: Yoga Live!”
"Russell Simmons Presents: Hip-Hop Justice" airs tonight on Court
TV. Check local listings for airtimes.
