VH1 Releasing 5 New Hip-Hop Documentarys, Including "Classic Albums: Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt"
VH1 Honors the legacy of hip hop and the men and women who created the beats heard around the world with all-new series, documentaries, specials and movies throughout October. The list as is follows:
"BRIDGING THE GAP: QUEEN LATIFAH & EVE" & "BRIDGING THE GAP: SNOOP DOGG & THE GAME" PREMIERES MONDAY, OCTOBER 1 STARTING AT 11 PM*
"Bridging The Gap" documents what happens when two established artists come together to explore their shared musical passions. In each half-hour episode, two artists who share a mutual admiration and respect for the other will share a day, discussing their lives while creating a new track produced by one of today’s hottest producers. Queen Latifah and Eve are featured in the premiere, while The Game and Snoop Dogg collaborate in the second episode at 11:30 PM.
"RAGS TO RICHES: NICK CANNON" PREMIERES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2 AT 11 PM*
Award winning talent Nick Cannon has proven that he is a force to be reckoned with, and he shows no signs of slowing down. From a successful TV and film career, executive producing two MTV hit series ("Wild N' Out" and "Short Circuitz") and creating chart topping music hits, Nick has flourished into a one-man entertainment conglomerate. Join Nick Cannon, as he takes viewers through the streets of South East San Diego to expose his touching and personal account of early struggles and humble beginnings. Now he is giving back to his community and to the people who helped him realize his stardom. Nick's current success will be brought to life in the critically acclaimed "Rags To Riches" a new documentary series on VH1. Watch Nick as he celebrates the best aspects of human nature: the capacity to overcome hardship through dedicated work and the joy of giving back to those in need.
"VH1 ROCK DOCS: FADE TO BLACK" & "CLASSIC ALBUMS: JAY-Z" PREMIERES WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3 STARTING AT AT 8:30 PM*
Shawn Carter (Jay-Z) has been one of the most influential figures in black American music since the mid-nineties. "Fade To Black" reveals the multiple Grammy Award winning artist as never before, from his background and rise to fame to the recording of his last album. The film chronicles his legendary concert at Madison Square Garden in November 2003 that featured guest performances by Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, R. Kelly, Foxy Brown, Pharrell, and Questlove and The Illadelphonics along with appearances by hip hop icons Damon Dash, Rick Rubin, Slick Rick, P. Diddy and many others. Viewers get the rare glimpse into Jay-Z's creative process as he searches for inspiration, poetry, and perfection in his songs. Narrated by Jay-Z himself, his account of the night takes on reflections of his entire musical career and his journey that led to this one astounding, fabled evening--rightfully called "Fade To Black."
And premiering at 11 PM is VH1’s latest addition to the "Classic Albums" franchise that takes us back through the whole creative process behind Jay-Z’s stunning first release "Reasonable Doubt." Initially as a performer racking up an incredibly successful string of hit singles and albums and later as an executive, having taken on the presidency of Def Jam Records in 2004. "Reasonable Doubt" is still considered by many to be his finest achievement. A much harder hitting and edgy record than his later more polished and pop orientated releases, it announced to the world that a new rap star had arrived.
"VH1 HIP HOP HONORS" PREMIERES MONDAY, OCTOBER 8 AT 10 PM*
VH1 will once again honor the hip hop pioneers and legends that have made significant contributions to all aspects of pop culture with the fourth annual "VH1 Hip Hop Honors." Hosted by Tracy Morgan, this year’s honorees include A Tribe Called Quest, Snoop Dogg, WHODINI, Missy Elliott, the film Wild Style and Teddy Riley and Andre Harrell for New Jack Swing. The music and influence of each of the honorees will be recognized through performances by classic artists in collaboration with today’s hottest new talent. The honorees are set to take the stage and showcase their legendary talent, along with Ciara, Eve, Pharrell Williams, T.I., Timbaland, Bow Wow, Busta Rhymes, Common, T-Pain, Keyshia Cole, Nick Cannon, Nelly Furtado, Ne-Yo, KRS-One The Teacha, Jermaine Dupri, Grandmaster Caz, Nelly, Mos Def, Kool Moe Dee, Grand Wizzard Theodore and The Chief Rocker Busy Bee as well as appearances by Chris Rock, Harvey Keitel, LL Cool J, Salt -N- Pepa, Kerry Washington and Diddy. "VH1 Hip Hop Honors" will be taped at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on October 4.
"THE SALT -N- PEPA SHOW" & "GOTTI’S WAY" PREMIERES MONDAY, OCTOBER 15 STARTING AT 10 PM*
"The Salt -N- Pepa Show," will follow the ladies as they attempt to reunite on and off the stage in this funny, often touching reality series. They soon discover however, that achieving this is easier said than done since most of their past issues are still unresolved. Salt is angry about being unappreciated when they were together and Pepa blames Salt for breaking up the group. Their lifestyles are also polar opposites: Salt is a devout Christian and is living a quiet life in Long Island with her husband, while Pepa is still the party girl and desperately wants to re-capture the glamour of Salt ‘N Pepa’s glory days. Can they overcome their differences long enough to heal their friendship and perform again?
"Gotti’s Way" starting at 10:30 PM* will provide a rare behind-the-scenes look at Irv’s company and the music machine that he is, working with artists such as Vanessa Carlton, Lloyd, Ja Rule and more. After being investigated for 3 years by the federal government and acquitted, on charges of money laundering, Irv Gotti is now attempting a comeback with his label, The Inc., while also juggling his responsibilities as a husband and father. The show will also focus on the raw emotions between Irv and wife, Debbie, by exposing their struggle to mend a severed relationship and make it functional for the sake of their family. (Press Release)
