“The story of the legend who inspired the biggest name in rap.”
On March 8, 2005, Vision Plant Pictures, in association with Czar Entertainment, will release The Infamous Times – Volume I: The Original 50 Cent on DVD to eager home entertainment audiences everywhere. A powerful music-driven video magazine chronicling the nation�s most reputed street figures, notorious neighborhoods and the alluring frills of the fast life, this explicit expos� goes behind the stereotypes typically associated with legendary hustlers to uncover the true tales of pain and betrayal that all too often destroys their lives and, most times, finds them dead or in jail. Volume one of The Infamous Times has already shipped platinum to major retail outlets throughout the U.S. and is on pace to quickly become one of the best selling urban DVD�s to date.
Running 120 minutes, the main feature of this landmark series tells the true story of Kelvin �50 Cent� Martin, a cold-blooded crook who, armed with an arsenal of weapons, robbed, killed and extorted many of Brooklyn�s biggest hustlers at the height of New York�s brutal crack cocaine epidemic and from whom the multi-platinum rap superstar, Curtis �50 Cent� Jackson, borrowed his moniker. This is the true story of the legend who inspired the biggest name in rap.
Hosted by venerated columnist, actor and convicted felon, Bonz Malone, the subject matter echoes the insight, candid perspective and journalistic intensity of esteemed investigative programs like Dateline NBC and 20/20. Likewise, The Infamous Times is poised to be one of the preeminent urban DVD series of the decade, revolutionizing the genre with its blend of in depth coverage accompanied by a hard-driving soundtrack. Superbly helmed by pioneering video director, Froi Cuesta and the brainchild of acclaimed music impresario, Jimmy Henchmen, along with entertainment industry veterans, Tone Boots and Griff, the series aims to enlighten �at-risk� youth on the hazards of street life as it contrasts the glamorization of criminal behavior that is all too common in rap music and mainstream film and television nowadays.
�We�re taking them all to task�politicians, parents, the young generation,� says series co-creator Tone Boots, who is also the Producer of MTV�s Direct Effect. �This story is very dear and close to me because I knew the original Fifty-Cent,� adds Jimmy Henchmen, the project�s Executive Producer and manager of platinum recording artists such as The Game (Aftermath/G-Unit), Mario Winans (Bad Boy) and Black Rob (Bad Boy). �I�m honored to tell a story like this that influenced the biggest name in rap as we know it today.�
In addition to the true story of the original 50 Cent featured in The �G� Chronicle segment of the DVD, the Danger Zone profiles the Brownsville section of Brooklyn and uncovers the influx of the LA-based �Bloods� street gang that has besieged the neighborhood�s housing projects. In the Paper Dolls segment of The Infamous Times their cameras go behind-the-scenes of one of the most popular gentlemen�s clubs in the country, Sue�s Rendezvous � made famous in the lyrics of many rap artists over the past few years. Also, the DVD�s bonus content includes an exclusive interview with Jimmy Henchmen; a profile on celebrity jewelers from Manhattan�s famed �Diamond District;� and a photo gallery featuring the work of award winning photographer Jamel Shabazz � author of the celebrated photo essay, Back in the Days.
Check the Cover and the Trailer
