Renowned director Hamish Hamilton has been retained as part of an award winning production team for Showtime's live Jay-Z concert on Saturday February 22, 2003 at 9 PM ET/PT*. Multi-Platinum recording artist Jay-Z will perform his first live televised full length concert on SHOWTIME from Memphis, TN. This evening will mark the first time a hip-hop artist has ever had a full-length concert broadcast live on television.

Hamish Hamilton has built a reputation as one of the finest young directors of live music entertainment. Hamilton's credits read like a Who's Who amongst the music industry. Working with such high profile talent as U2, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna and Sting, he has had a wealth of experience in the live television arena. Both Jay-Z and Hamilton have received Grammy nominations this year. Hamilton is nominated for Best Long Form Video while Jay-Z stands to win the Grammy for the Best Male rap solo performance.

The production team is further enhanced by Richie Namm as producer. Namm, a gifted producer/director, has worked with a plethora of diverse musical performers including Frank Sinatra, Billy Joel, The Who, The Backstreet Boys, Stevie Wonder, L.L. Cool J and Run-DMC. This collaboration of talent behind the camera is sure to result in an explosive and engaging show for Jay-Z fans.

In addition to hiring a top notch director/producer team, Steve Lemon has been secured as Live Event Project Manager. With a career spanning 3 decades, Lemon is a seasoned veteran in his field. He has managed events for Aerosmith, Guns and Roses, Ricky Martin, KISS, Janet Jackson, U2, Bon Jovi and Diana Ross. Steve Lemon has repeatedly been recognized by his peers receiving various nominations and awards in the area of Production Management. In 2002 Lemon was the recipient of the Tour Manager of the Year award by PLSN magazine.

Jock McLean, VP, Programming, Showtime Sports & Event Programming stated "We set out to assemble a first rate production team for the Jay-Z concert and I believe that we have achieved our goal. All involved are enthusiastic about working with the multi-talented Jay-Z and to be part of this historic evening on Showtime."

Jay-Z has released 9 consecutive platinum-plus albums in 6 years and has sold over 20 million units. Jay-Z has been nominated for Grammy Awards, as well as Billboard Music Awards, Radio Music Awards and MTV Music Awards. Just this year, Jay-Z topped Billboard's list as the #1 Rap Artist, #1 R&B Mainstream Artist and the #1 Crossover artist.

In addition to Jay-Z's success as a musical artist, he has multiple businesses including Armadale Vodka, Roc-A-Fella Records, Roc-A-Wear and Roc-A-Fella Films. He is also responsible for the Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund (scholarship fund for high school students in Brooklyn), The Annual Jay-Z Toy Drive and Team Roc.

Immediately following the concert, SHOWTIME will present Tyson vs. Etienne, also live from Memphis, TN and will follow the Tyson bout with the premiere of the network's new reality series, "Family Business."SOURCE: Yahoo.com

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