Subject: [Y4M] Rawkus vs "Jails..."
            Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2000 15:53:54 -0400

Danny Hoch's
"Jails, Hospitals & Hip-Hop"
THE FILM

@BAM Cinematek
30 Lafayette Avenue
Fort Greene, Brooklyn

Saturday, September 2, 2000
7:00 SHARP
No latecomers
Advance Tickets: 718-623-2770
www.bam.org

Well folks, this looks like the last screening of the film of:
Danny Hoch's "Jails, Hospitals & Hip-Hop" before the film goes into
prolonged litigation against Rawkus Records in the New York State
Supreme Court.

For those of you who don't know, "Jails, Hospitals & Hip-Hop" was
originally slated for a March 3, 2000 release, but at the last minute,
the film's co-presenter and soundtrack producer Rawkus Records, decided
to refuse all music clearances, halt all marketing and stop distribution
of the soundtrack. This put the film into a spin with its screen
distributor, and now has no slated release until there is a ruling in
the case by the presiding commercial judge, or a trial verdict. Rawkus
Records has been unwilling to offer any reasonable settlement to allow
the film's release, and has acknowledged no liability whatsoever in its
arrogant disregard for it's contractual obligations. The consensus is:
they must be out of their minds.

It is the opinion of many of us in the entertainment industry, as well
as in hip-hop circles that the film has been hijacked for political
reasons. Hysterically funny, chillingly serious, and thought-provoking
beyond belief, "Jails, Hospitals & Hip-Hop" is one of the first hip-hop
generation films to deal with police brutality, prison industrial
complex, cultural representation in the media, and multiculturalism in
hip-hop-- all in one movie!

Although Rawkus' roster of artists used to have a slew of politically
charged and outspoken rap artists (up until this year), we can only
assume that the conservative right-wing Rupert Murdoch's son, who is the
chief financier of Rawkus Records was responsible for forcing Rawkus'
executives to dump all projects that might be seen as "controversial",
including "Jails, Hospitals & Hip-Hop". There is no other explanation 
Rawkus has offered except to say that, being involved in the film in any
way ceased to be a prudent "business
decision". (It was seemed to be a prudent business decision for Rawkus
to allow the film's title track, "Jails, Hospitals & Hip-Hop" to be
released on DJ Souls Album- under another name!!! You thought the Source
Awards was bananas. These Rawkus guys are the John Waynes of hip-hop.
Lord Of The Flies anyone?

Don't take our word for it, decide for yourself. Come see this screening
on September 2nd. Latecomers will not be seated, free party afterwards.
Music by DJ Skee-Hi.

Peace & Justice,

In Life
In Love
In The Media
In Hip-Hop








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