documentary Archives - New Hip Hop News

Kanye West Claims Watching New Doc Made Him Feel Like He Was ‘Dead’

November 4, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Kanye West is one of the most polarizing celebrities of the 21st century. He’s also one of the most fascinating. He has been through so many artistic iterations and controversies that it can difficult to keep track. Fortunately, a new documentary titled In Whose Name? will do it for us. The documentary is set for release sometime in 2025, and follows teenager Nico Ballesteros as he accompanies Kanye West on his various business ventures.

Ballesteros directed the documentary, which is produced by the production companies Goodfellas and Utopia. The press release for In Whose Name? promises to explore “overlapping influences of corporate exploitation, racial complexities and psychological struggles inherent in the American dream.” It’s a lot to deliver upon, but Kanye West’s response to the doc leads us to believe it delivered. Ballesteros posted a screenshot of a text exchange with West when the rapper watched the final cut. His response was, in the classic Ye sense, dramatic. “The doc was deep,” he asserted. “It was like being dead and looking back on my life.”

Kanye West Previously Criticized His Netflix Doc Series

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nico Ballesteros (@nico.ballesteros)

Ballesteros took the weighty statement to heart. “This is the most profound text message I have ever received,” the director wrote back. “I love you brother.” Kanye West has seemingly played a much bigger role in the making of In Whose Name? than the previous documentary about him. Netflix released a three part saga titled Jeen-Yuhs: A Kanye West Trilogy in 2022. The series was released without West getting a chance to see the final cut, which he revealed in a since-deleted IG post. Clarence ‘Coodie’ Simmons and Chike Ozah, the Jeen-Yus creators, told Digital Spy that they refused for fear of compromising their artistic vision.

“It’s not an autobiography of Kanye, you know,” Ozah stated. “It’s not a type of documentary where it would serve the doc best for him to have ultimate control.” Kanye West attended the Jeen-Yus premiere, but it’s clear from his text exchange with Ballesteros that he’s a much bigger fan of the upcoming doc, In Whose Name? The documentary is reported to have been shot over the last six years, and the budget is alleged to have been $1 billion. We can’t wait to see what West himself saw when the doc is released.

[via]

The post Kanye West Claims Watching New Doc Made Him Feel Like He Was ‘Dead’ appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

New Kanye West Documentary Reportedly Hitting Theaters Next Year

November 1, 2024 by newhiphopnews

After the jeen-yuhs documentary on Netflix and various other visual projects, it seems like Kanye West has yet another documentary in the works on his magnanimous life and career. Moreover, it’s reportedly titled In Whose Name? according to Variety, although we advise readers to take this with a grain of salt as it’s all early information. Nevertheless, it’s reportedly helmed by Nicolas Ballesteros and is planned to release in theaters in 2025. A promo reel for the film will reportedly drop on November 7 via a screening at the American Film Market. We also got the first image from the doc from Goodfellas and Utopia, who will reportedly take care of the promo reel screening.

“With a billion-dollar budget and a commitment to truth, Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, invites 18-year-old Nicolas Ballesteros armed with an iPhone on a six-year journey revealing unfiltered aspects of celebrity life which confront the provocative opinions, grand visions and bold contrarianism that defined him as the world’s most controversial artist,” the doc’s synopsis reportedly reads. “The film follows Ye’s ascent to becoming the richest Black man in American history while uncovering why the superstar risked everything he had built in the name of freedom. Examining the culture that birthed the star, ‘In Whose Name?’ explores the overlapping influences of corporate exploitation, racial complexities and psychological struggles inherent in the American dream.”

Kanye West Documentary In Whose Name? Dropping Next Year

https://twitter.com/hotnewhiphop/status/1852362621262958730?s=12&t=6N2L99mKx7LzXYhb_3_zwQ

Furthermore, the project reportedly filmed over the last six years, boasting never-before-seen footage while promising to “offer a unique and cinematic perspective on Ye’s public transformation.” According to reports, the Kanye West doc is in post-production and enlisted Ballesteros as producer along with Jack M. Russel and Shy Ranje as co-producers. Justin Staple is the co-executive producer of In Whose Name? and David Bullock is its associate producer.

“We’re thrilled to present ‘In Whose Name?’ at AFM,” Marie Zeniter (V.P. of sales at Utopia) and Eva Diederix (head of sales at Goodfellas) reportedly stated. “This powerful documentary offers an unfiltered view without narration, it invites audiences to draw their own conclusions on themes of fame, religion and power. We believe audiences globally deserve the chance to witness how one of the world’s most influential figures navigates the complexities and contradictions of celebrity.” In an alleged text message exchange with Ballesteros, Ye said the following of the doc according to Ballesteros’ recent Instagram post: “That doc was very deep. It was like being dead and looking back on my life.”

[via]

The post New Kanye West Documentary Reportedly Hitting Theaters Next Year appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Lul Tim Documentary Trailer Hits The Internet As Lil Durk Arrest Controversy Continues

October 28, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Chicago drill is at the forefront of a lot of divisive and controversial conversations around hip-hop right now, mostly bolstered by the recent arrest of Lil Durk for alleged murder-for-hire conspiracy. For those unaware, federal authorities accused him of allegedly putting out a hit on Quando Rondo in retaliation for King Von’s murder, and a 2022 shooting in Rondo’s vicinity resulted in his cousin Lul Pab’s death. Another associate, Lul Tim, faced accusations of murdering Von back in 2020, and we now have a new trailer for a documentary on Tim’s life, career, and legal troubles stemming from street conflicts and other matters.

Furthermore, the doc Book Of Timothy comes from BMS Studios, Director Apar, Hoodstar Films, Perfect Take, and Say Cheese TV. It promises “new details” and “new evidence” in the trailer, which also shows some footage of Lul Tim, previews of exclusive interviews, and news footage of the situations he was allegedly in. For those unaware, authorities dropped their charges against him for allegedly murdering King Von last year, which folks had some split reactions to overall depending on where they stand in the whole Lil Durk and Quando Rondo situation.

Lul Tim Documentary Trailer

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by DJ Akademiks (@akademiks)

“Because the police said Tim ain’t kill him, the police did,” Asian Doll, King Von’s partner, said of Lul Tim’s charges in 2023 in a since-deleted tweet. “N***as doing all these interviews about King Von look goofy asl,” she added in another Twitter post. “Speaking on open cases & telling stories he never told is top of the line snitch s**t. He ain’t condone s**t he’ll cut a mf off for. Y’all n***as forever b***hes to me & never stood on business. I hate n***as who don’t stand on business allot lil boy. S**t dead we like grown men that get s**t done over here.”

Meanwhile, fans wonder how this will change the discussion and debate around the arrest of Lil Durk and the murder of King Von. We’ll have to wait to see Book Of Timothy in full to make a judgement call on that. There are a lot of moving parts here that fans have to wade through.

[via]

The post Lul Tim Documentary Trailer Hits The Internet As Lil Durk Arrest Controversy Continues appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Megan Thee Stallion Emotionally Details Her “Breakdown” After Tory Lanez Shooting

October 16, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Megan Thee Stallion has shared a trailer for her highly-anticipated documentary, Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words. In the two-minute preview of the Amazon Prime film, she discusses the tragic passing of her mother, the infamous shooting involving Tory Lanez, dealing with hate on social media, and much more. “I want people to understand how this is affecting me. I want people to see how I feel,” she says at one point.

When Megan posted the trailer on X (formerly Twitter), fans shared their excitement in the replies. “Love you Megan so proud of how far you’ve come…Thee Hotties will always be here for you,” one user wrote. Another posted: “Oh sista you got me tearing up… you deserve it all times a million!!! Thank you for putting on for the tall girls who needed a confidence boost.”

Megan Thee Stallion Attends MTV Video Music Awards

ELMONT, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 11: Megan Thee Stallion attends the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 11, 2024, in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images)

Roc Nation and Time Studios first announced they were working with Megan on a documentary back in 2022. At the time, a press release for the project revealed: “The documentary will provide viewers with an intimate perspective into Megan’s life and career. From delving into Megan’s upbringing in Texas to chronicling key milestones in her career, the project will shed light on the many facets of Houston native’s multilayered personality. […] With a mix of rare archival footage and fresh verité video, the documentary will highlight Megan’s rise from viral freestyling phenom to iconic cultural powerhouse. Beyond amplifying the Houston native’s journey to success, the project will also touch on how Megan overcame various personal hurdles to thrive in her professional career.”

Megan Thee Stallion Shares Trailer For New Documentary

Check out the full trailer for the upcoming documentary below. It will be premiering on Amazon Prime Video on October 31. She worked with Emmy Award-winning director Nneka Onuorah on the project. Be on the lookout for further updates on Megan on HotNewHipHop.

[Via]

The post Megan Thee Stallion Emotionally Details Her “Breakdown” After Tory Lanez Shooting appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Lyrical Lemonade’s Cole Bennett Will Direct New Chief Keef Documentary

October 15, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Chief Keef is a Chicago legend, and a hip hop legend. He pioneered a sound that’s still being used and expanded upon today. Keef’s legacy has also been defined by his legal troubles, and the various beefs he’s had with other artists. Both of these aspects will serve as the basis for the upcoming documentary about his life. Variety confirmed that a Chief Keef documentary is in the works, and Lyrical Lemonade’s Cole Bennett will serve as the director. It will mark Bennett’s feature directorial debut.

The documentary has yet to receive a proper title. That said, Variety provided some crucial details about the film and what fans can expect. It will chronicle Chief Keef’s meteoric rise to fame in the late aughts. The influence that the rapper had on Chicago’s drill scene will be explored and his impact on music as a whole will be fleshed out. The doc will utilize the framework of Chief Keef’s recent return to Chicago. This is following a decade plus of being banned from performing in the city. Keef’s set at the Summer Smash Festival marked his first show in the Windy City since Lollapalooza in 2012.

Chief Keef’s Doc Will Detail His Musical Influence

my first film,

the chief keef documentary. pic.twitter.com/XiPmZE4Xih

— Cole Bennett (@_ColeBennett_) October 15, 2024

The timing of the documentary makes perfect sense. Chief Keef reputation and career were in the wild for most of the 2010s. It was unclear if the rapper would ever get a chance to reclaim his spot as a music pioneer. Fortunately, the acclaim given to his recent releases, and his Summer Smash stint, have signaled a change. Chief Keef talked about said his outsized influence during a May interview with the Grammy Awards. “If I had 500 M’s every time [I heard that], I’d be Jeff Bezos,” he quipped. “I be hearing that a lot, though, man… We know. I used to get mad about it, but I don’t give a f*ck.”

The documentary will also provide a major turning point for Cole Bennett. The Lyrical Lemonade creative has been one of the most in-demand music video directors of the last decade. He’s thrilled to be making the transition to narrative films, however. He retweeted the Variety article announcing the documentary, and wrote: “My first film, Chief Keef documentary.” A release date has yet to be announced. The untitled doc will be produced by Kenya Barris, as well as Lyrical Lemonade’s Jake Millan and Krista Worby.

[via]

The post Lyrical Lemonade’s Cole Bennett Will Direct New Chief Keef Documentary appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Benzino Reveals He’s “Almost Finished” With A 1995 Source Awards Documentary

October 13, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Benzino says he’s working on a documentary film about the iconic 1995 Source Awards that he intends to release in 2025. He revealed his plans for the project during an interview with TMZ, earlier this week. The night was famous for several dramatic moments, including Andre 3000’s “the South got something to say,” declaration, Snoop Dogg’s confrontation with the New York City crowd, and more.

“I’m almost finished with my documentary that I’ve been working on for the last year,” Benzino told the outlet. “It’s going to really show people how that night changed Hip Hop forever. I got to interview a lot of people who were there that night but I can’t speak too much on it ’cause it’s not completed yet.”

Benzino Attends “Hollywood Hearts” Premiere

ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 06: Benzino attends “Hollywood Hearts” Atlanta movie premiere at Regal Atlantic Station on October 6, 2016, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images)

He also brought up Suge Knight allegedly mocking Diddy and Bad Boy Records while accepting the award for Motion Picture Soundtrack of the Year. “When Suge said that, I was standing right there on the side of the stage. I was nervous because he flew out about 100 people that night, he spent about $50,000 for his set. We just gotta thank the Hip Hop gods that no violence took place that night. Because that wasn’t the only beef; there were other situations that night. Unfortunately, we lost the two giants and that changed Hip Hop forever. It still hasn’t recovered,” he said.

Benzino Discusses The Source Awards

Check out Benzino’s full interview with TMZ below. He also discussed his recent appearance on TV One’s Celebrity Crime Files, his relationship with 2Pac, and more. Despite Andre 3000’s speech going down in history, the legendary rapper revealed earlier this year that he doesn’t actually remember it. Appearing on The Shop, he explained that he only remembers the disrespect the South was getting at the time: “I remember being really angry and driven because we’ve been creating this music, man. We’ve been in the Dungeon. And we just felt like, ‘Y’all don’t get it.’” Be on the lookout for further updates on Benzino on HotNewHIpHop.

[Via]

The post Benzino Reveals He’s “Almost Finished” With A 1995 Source Awards Documentary appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Chris Brown Accuser Reveals Identity Ahead Of New Documentary

October 10, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Later this month, Investigation Discovery is scheduled to release a new documentary, Chris Brown: A History of Violence. The doc will go over the R&B artist’s past, which is filled with allegations of domestic violence, assault, and more. It will also delve into some of his alleged victims’ experiences, the lasting impact of his alleged abuse, and more.

A new accuser appeared in a trailer for the documentary, though her identity was hidden. Now, she’s come forward to reveal herself on Instagram. In a lengthy post, Liziane Gutierrez announces her participation in the doc, some of the criticism she’s previously faced for sharing her story, and more. “Lier, clout chaser, ridiculous are just same of the things I have heard over the years since I decided to tell what happened to me. I’m not sure if Im psychologically ready to face the consequences of appearing in this documentary including financial consequences since I signed a non disclosure agreement,” she alleged.

Liziane Gutierrez Shares Lengthy Message About Participating In Upcoming Chris Brown Documentary

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Neighborhood Talk (@theneighborhoodtalk)

Despite this, Gutierrez says she feels a responsibility to speak up. “Several women agreed to participate and share their stories. We all went through a similar situation. We cant be against domestic violence and simply ignore some cases or even worse blame the victim,” she alleged. Chris Brown: A History of Violence will air on ID on October 27, according to Variety. Immediately after the doc, Sunny Hostin will lead a discussion about intimate partner violence.

What do you think of one of the women set to appear in an upcoming Chris Brown documentary coming forward on social media? What about her message about some of the backlash she’s received over the years for sharing her story? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.

[Via]

The post Chris Brown Accuser Reveals Identity Ahead Of New Documentary appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Drake And Kendrick Lamar’s Battle To Be Examined In Upcoming Documentary, “Public Enemies”

October 8, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s iconic feud will be examined in an upcoming documentary titled, Public Enemies: Kendrick vs Drake, according to Deadline. It will feature archival footage as well as interviews with friends and collaborators of both artists.

Shaminder Nahal, head of specialist factual for Channel 4, discussed the project in a statement: “Public Enemies: Kendrick vs Drake is not just a biography; it’s a cultural exploration of two of the most influential voices in modern music. This documentary will delve into the unique journeys of Kendrick and Drake, examining how their backgrounds, talents, and visions have made them global icons.”

Kendrick Lamar Films “Not Like Us” Music Video

Watts, CA – June 22: Kendrick Lamar smiles alongside Jay Rock, center, in between filming for the music video for “Not Like Us” at Nickerson Gardens on Saturday, June 22, 2024, in Watts, CA. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Acme Films, who previously produced the film, Public Enemies: Jay-Z v Kanye, in 2017, will be handling the project. The company’s creative director, Jaimie D’Cruz, added: “It’s only a few years since our previous Public Enemies film for Channel 4 explored the rivalry between Jay Z vs Kanye. But Public Enemies: Kendrick vs Drake feels like a story that takes place in a time when all the rules have changed, and beef is all around us.”

The documentary announcement comes after Drake made headlines for reflecting on losing friends and dealing with betrayal at a nightclub in Toronto over the weekend. “You’re gonna come to a point in life where people you thought were friends, or people you thought were close to you, they might switch up, they might try to move funny with you, they might stab you in the back, they might do a lot of things to you,” he said. “You’ll come to that realization. Wherever you’re at in life, you’ve probably been there, and you’ll be there again. That’s how life is. But look, sometimes it’s you and you alone, by yourself. Sometimes it’s you alone with your thoughts.” Kendrick Lamar, on the other hand, was recently announced as the headliner for the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show. Be on the lookout for further updates on Drake and Kendrick Lamar on HotNewHipHop.

[Via] [Via]

The post Drake And Kendrick Lamar’s Battle To Be Examined In Upcoming Documentary, “Public Enemies” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Chris Brown Producer RoccStar Claims Singer Is Being Villainized In New Doc

October 7, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Chris Brown has been a controversial figure for most of his career. His talent, and his ability to make hits is undeniable. His personal life, however, has been characterized by assault charges and allegations. The latter aspect will serve as the focus of an upcoming documentary. Chris Brown: A History of Violence will detail the alleged assaults that the singer has been accused of throughout the years. The ID release will include interviews with Brown’s alleged victims. One person who is opposed to the documentary, however, is the singer’s longtime producer, RoccStar.

TMZ asked RoccStar about the documentary, and the producer made it clear that he didn’t buy into the allegations. “I don’t understand,” he stated. “He’s probably one of the nicest, coolest dudes. That’s like one of my closest friends.” RoccStar, real name Leon Youngblood, Jr., also told the outlet that he felt the singer was being victimized by his accusers. “I just realized that the documentary wasn’t a positive doc,” he admitted. “I’m lost… We’re trying to go find victims now? I think that’s unbelievable.” RoccStar added that Chris Brown is one of the most successful artists of his generation, as well as a “family man.” He’s of the opinion that the singer’s critics should “get lives” of their own.

RoccStar Feels Chris Brown Has Become The ‘Victim’

“People are just trying to bring him down,” RoccStar opined. “He’s talented, man. Let him live. Let him do his thing… Now he’s the victim.” This is not the first time the producer has spoken up in defense of Chris Brown. RoccStar talked about his long-standing relationship with the singer during a recent appearance on AllHipHop. He also spoke highly of Brown’s process, and the fact that they’ve managed to make an impressive body of work together over the years. “CB don’t really mess with people too hard,” he said. “The fact that he trusted me to come in and make sure the frequency was tuned to where he’s going, in life and with tech, with different things.”

Chris Brown and RoccStar do go way back. The latter first worked with Brown on the 2014 release X, which yielded the smash hit singles “Fine China” and “Autumn Leaves.” Other albums with RoccStar production include Indigo (2019), Breezy (2022), and 11:11 (2023). RoccStar has been most involved with 11:11, providing production and songwriting on a whopping eight songs. The two are definitely in sync when it comes to the studio. One can only assume that RoccStar is going to skip out on watching the new doc. Chris Brown: A History of Violence, meanwhile, will air on the ID channel on October 27.

[via]

The post Chris Brown Producer RoccStar Claims Singer Is Being Villainized In New Doc appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Megan Thee Stallion Documentary Series Gets An Official Release Date

October 1, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Megan Thee Stallion has been one of the biggest rappers of the 2020s. She’s also been one of the most polarizing. Megan has been able top drop massive singles, including a few number ones. She’s also been involved in behind-the-scenes drama that has boosted her public profile. The rapper has won a criminal trial against Tory Lanez, and a beef against Nicki Minaj. There’s no shortage of things to talk about when it comes to Megan Thee Stallion, which is why she’s getting her own documentary.

In Her Own Words will be a multi-part series, according to Variety. The documentary will chronicle the last two years of Megan Thee Stallion’s life. Years that have been characterized, as we mentioned, by staggering highs and very public lows. In Her Own Words is directed by Nneka Onuorah, who did an exemplary job with the Lizzo release, Watch Out for the Big Grrrls. The documentary was announced back in 2022, and fortunately, fans won’t have to wait long to watch it. In Her Own Words will land on Amazon Prime Video on October 31.

Megan Thee Stallion’s Doc Will Detail Her Struggles

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Spiritual Word (@spiritualword)

The overriding goal of the documentary is to set the record straight on Megan Thee Stallion’s life. She’s been the focus of countless allegations and rumors. “You’ve heard the hot takes and read the stories — now go straight to the source,” the description for In Her Own Words stated. This is not the first time the rapper has been the subject of a documentary. Megan’s legal battle with Tory Lanez was a topic of exploration in the recent Max release Megan Thee Stallion vs Tory Lanez: Five Shots.

Megan has not spoken at length about the documentary, but she talk to Billboard about her business ventures. She made it clear that she’s in complete control of her image at this point. “I’m proud of all my business deals because everything I do is personal to me,” she stated. “I put 100% into my partnerships, and I’m always so grateful when people want to step into my world.” This includes her endorsement of Presidential nominee Kamala Harris as well as her music. The rapper recently performed at a Kamala Harris rally, and her self-titled album topped Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in June.

[via]

The post Megan Thee Stallion Documentary Series Gets An Official Release Date appeared first on HotNewHipHop.