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| by kenn on 10/28/2003 10:03:00 PM |
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Showtime and Interscope Hunt for America's Hottest MC in INTERSCOPE PRESENTS THE NEXT EPISODE on Friday, November 14th at 10PM (ET/PT)
 NEW YORK, Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The excitement of hip-hop comes to television on November 14, 2003 at 10PM ET/PT. The hunt for America's hottest MC begins with the premiere of the six-part hip hop docu-drama INTERSCOPE PRESENTS THE NEXT EPISODE on Showtime. Loosely described as a reality version of the type of rap contests that were depicted in the movie 8 Mile, INTERSCOPE PRESENTS THE NEXT EPISODE is nothing less than a history of rap, a documentary examination of the hip-hop lifestyle, and an emotionally wrenching examination of the truth behind the brutally raw, urgent lyrics of a musical movement's aspiring new artists.
In each city, the field has been narrowed down from hundreds of rappers to the top two battlers striving to be the "next." Each one-hour episode will showcase two MC's-in their respective cities including Atlanta, Los Angeles, Detroit, Philadelphia and New York -- in a lyrical war, ending in a final battle in front of peers, with special guest DJ's and MC's officiating. The series will culminate with a massive winner-takes-all freestyle rap battle in a final showdown in Los Angeles in the final episode.
What makes the series unique is not only a dedication to preserving the authentic voices of its subjects, but also moments that draw the viewer into the pain, rage and yearning that define the MCs' lives. For instance, childhood car-crash survivor QUEST M.C.O.D.Y. recounts the horrific event that altered (and nearly claimed) his life; single mom CHOCOLATE THAI conflicts with her grandmother, who flatly disapproves of her choices; TONSMOCCON admits to selling drugs -- everything from crack to Vicodin -- in an effort to survive financially in the ghetto.
By mixing these biographical portraits and the rap battles that form the centerpiece of the series with such elements as man-on-the-street interviews and reflections on the art form's history from some of its legendary stars (including 50 Cent, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Russell Simmons and Kool Moe Dee, among many others), INTERSCOPE PRESENTS THE NEXT EPISODE becomes nothing less than a hip-hop primer, certain to mesmerize both the die-hard fan and the rap novice.
Directed by Moses Edinborough (Yo! MTV Raps), the series is executive produced by Jimmy Iovine along with Jillian Fleer of 4Battle Enterprises and Paul Rosenberg (Goliath Artists/Shady Records), Randy Sosin, and Gene Kirkwood.
The first five, one-hour episodes will each showcase two MCs that have been hand-picked from hundreds of artists hoping to get a chance to showcase their skills in their respective cities -- Atlanta, Los Angeles, Detroit, Philadelphia and New York. Each episode will culminate in a rap battle in front of peers, with special guest DJ's and MC's officiating. Each local winner will be determined by the audience; these top five will then gather in Los Angeles for a final one-hour national showdown episode.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., owns the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL(TM) and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME® TOO(TM), SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE® and TMC XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HDTV®, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND(TM). SNI operates and manages the premium television network SUNDANCE CHANNEL®, which is owned by SNI, Robert Redford and Universal Studios. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME® PPV. Additionally, the advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME EXTREME® is available in Spain through a joint venture with Media Park. SHOWTIME is available in Turkey through a joint venture with UK-based Zone Vision.
Rating: TVMA
Run Time: 45 minutes
Additional Airdates: Sunday, 11/16 at 11PM, Thursday, 11/20 at 1:45 AM
and Saturday, 11/22 at 11PM
INTERSCOPE PRESENTS THE NEXT EPISODE
CREDIT LIST
Detroit
SHOWTIME
presents
Executive Producers
JIMMY IOVINE
PAUL ROSENBERG
Executive Producer
JILLIAN FLEER
Executive Producers
RANDY SOSIN
GENE KIRKWOOD
Created by
JILLIAN FLEER
RANDY SOSIN
Directed by
MOSES EDINBOROUGH
Supervising Producer
MOSES EDINBOROUGH
Coordinating Producer
TODD 1
Line Producer
DALIA DONESON
Associate Producers
STUART PARR
STEVE BERMAN
Editor
RAYMOND C. BURRIS
Field Producer
KEITH PASCHALL
Associate Field Producers
ANGEL MANZO
ANDREA STOCKERT
Associate Producer
DONTE GREEN
Camera
DAVID E. WEST
LE FOOKS
BRADLEY SELLERS
Production Managers
MATT CABRAL
CARL HANSEN
Production Coordinator
JOSH GREEN
Production Accountant
KIMBERLY HARMON
Assistant Accountant
MICHAEL KAFITY
Executive Producers' Assistant
LAURA J. WRIGHT
Talent Bookers
ESA LEWIS
QUEENIE DONALDSON
Travel Coordinator
LOUIS BOYD
MC Talent Coordinator
GRAHAM MARTIN
Researchers
ROBERT PERRI
KEITH SAM
Production Staff
JOHN CARCIERI
ROMEL BOWENS
CHRIS GRAMAZIO
For the Detroit Production
Official
PROOF
DJ
DJ HOUSESHOES
Beat Box
LORD SEAR
Drummer
DARYL ROQUEMORE
Location Production Manager
BRADFORD HARDIE
Production Coordinator
CONNIE JOHNSON
Audio
ERIC JACKSON
DAVID KROFCHOK
DOUG DRUMMOND
JAMES MAXWELL
Camera Assistants
DAVID RUMBLE
DUSTIN STEWART
HEATHER LAFORGE
GEOFF ERNST
Production Assistants
DAVE RUMBLE
JEN WINCHER
SONIA AVAKIN
JENNIFER MAYER
Post Production Supervisor
JARED BUSHANSKY
Post Production Coordinator
JAMES CARAGIANES
Post Associate Producer
JONAH DEOCAMPO
Title Theme "Sh*t Hits the Fan" By
MARSHALL MATHERSANDRE YOUNGMIKE ELIZONDOOBIE TRICE
Music Supervisor
JONATHAN WEISS
Clearance Supervisor
CHRISTINE M. TORRES
Battle Beat Supervisor
DAN CHARNAS
Story Editor
RICK LAPORTE
Assistant Editors
MARC LUCAS
REGINA POPE
CHRIS SMITH
JOHN TOUNGAIAN
Loggers
JOHNNY BEUZIERON
JACQUELINE CONLEY
PHILLIP JEAN-MARIE
ROBERT PERRI
PAUL WUNDROCK
Dubber
ROBERT GARDNER LINN
Online Editor
DAVID PLEASANT
Re-Recording Mixer
MARK ANDERSON
Title and On-Air Graphics provided by Blind.
Host
XZIBIT
Story Producer
NICOLE JEFFERSON
Camera
DAN FARNHAM
Audio
KATE RYAN
Assistant Camera
LUCAS O'BRIEN
Hair/Make-up
CHRISTINA KARAIOANNOGLOU
Production Staff
DAN HOLOBAUGH
ROBERT PERRI
JOHN WHITESIDE
BIOGRAPHIES
Interscope Presents the Next Episode is a hunt for America's hottest new MC using the rap-battle technique of showdown. In each city, the field has been narrowed down to the top two battlers striving to be the Next:
DETROIT, MI
QUEST M.C.O.D.Y.
NAME / AGE: Kimani Graham, 22
FAVORITE ARTISTS: 50 Cent, Eminem, Jay-Z, Nas, Busta Rhymes
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE AN MC? I was six and we had to perform for
school. I couldn't dance or beat box so my teacher asked to try to rap.
WHAT DOES BATTLING MEAN TO YOU? War! Destroying someone! Embarrassing
people! I have to hurt your feelings. You better be ready to cry or
fight!
J-HILL
NAME / AGE: Jimmy Hill, 28
FAVORITE ARTISTS: 50 Cent, Nas, Eminem, Jay-Z, The Roots
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE AN MC? Listening to Run DMC and KRS-One when I
was younger.
WHAT DOES BATTLING MEAN TO YOU? Battling rapping is just trying to
embarrass somebody by the lyrics you spit. Just going after them on some
whatever.
PHILADELPHIA, PA
YOUNG BLAKE
NAME / AGE: Blake Harris, 18
FAVORITE ARTISTS: Freeway, Ms. Jade, The Frontlinemen, 50 Cent, Jay-Z
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE AN MC? My brother used to rap when had a little
bit of liquor in his system. I just thought I could do it better if I
took it seriously.
WHAT DOES BATTLING MEAN TO YOU? Rapping verses that are better than your
opponent's.
LP
NAME / AGE: Lawrence Phillips, 23
FAVORITE ARTIST: LP
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE AN MC? My style that I have to offer. Nobody can
tough me in this rap game. It's my turn.
WHAT DOES BATTLING MEAN TO YOU? Freestylin' with another MC and crushing
him non-stop -- that's my favorite thing to do.
ATLANTA, GA
NESS LEE
NAME / AGE: Jeron Thomas, 22
FAVORITE ARTISTS: Jay-Z, Pharoah Monch
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE AN MC? It's part of me. Some things you can't
deny.
WHAT DOES BATTLING MEAN TO YOU? Battling is surviving. Everything is a
battle. So battling another rapper is natural. It's all a competition
anyways.
TONSMOCCON
NAME / AGE: Anthony Austin, 22
FAVORITE ARTISTS: Styles P, Jadakiss, Tony Yayo
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE AN MC? Being around my friends, just chillin'
listening to them spit raps.
WHAT DOES BATTLING MEAN TO YOU? Going into a zone. Ripping any artist,
rapper or labelist to nothing.
NEW YORK, NY
CHOCOLATE THAI
NAME / AGE: Tonjia Williams, 26
FAVORITE ARTISTS: 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Joe Budden, Foxy Brown, Busta Rhymes
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE AN MC? I always loved the music, but when I
heard MC Lyte and Salt and Pepa, that made me want to be an MC too. I
love the rush of people loving what I create.
WHAT DOES BATTLING MEAN TO YOU? A battle is a lyrical war between MC's to
determine who's the best.
DIABOLIC
NAME / AGE: Sean George, 24
FAVORITE ARTISTS: Redman, Smooth da Hustla, AZ, Nas, Jay-Z, Wu-Tang Clan
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE AN MC? The feeling hip-hop projects.
WHAT DOES BATTLING MEAN TO YOU? Time to murder.
LOS ANGELES, CA
SPIT FIYA
NAME / AGE: Christopher Lanier, 20
FAVORITE ARTIST: Twista
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE AN MC? At age eight my cousin inspired me to
rap. He was very versatile, and with the help of Dr. Seuss, I felt that
I could make it as an aspiring MC.
WHAT DOES BATTLING MEAN TO YOU? I think it's another facet of hip-hop and
it keeps you on your toes.
TREK LIFE
NAME / AGE: Reginald Bruner, 27
FAVORITE ARTISTS: Mos Def, Jay-Z, Bishop Lamont, Eminem, Talib Kweli
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE AN MC? My older brother got me rhymin' when
hip-hop first hit L.A. in '83 at seven years old. I kept rhyming for
years and then my best friend was murdered. We both shared the same dream
of being rappers, so I kept rhymin' for both of us.
WHAT DOES BATTLING MEAN TO YOU? Battling is a contest of rhymes. Although
it's a good way for an MC to sharpen his or her skills, it has become so
watered down these days with nonsense punchlines and bag-rapping. It
hardly is a good indicator of a good MC. Just one facet.
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