Rapper Jay-Z Teams Up With Spike For New Docuseries “TIME: The Kalief Browder Story”

 Rapper Jay-Z Teams Up With Spike For New
Docuseries “TIME: The Kalief Browder Story”

BHR Hollywood Reports..............Shortly after revealing his new television and film partnership with The Weinstein Company, Jay Z has announced their first project, a six-part Spike TV docuseries that tackles the criminal justice system: “TIME: The Kalief Browder Story.”

Jay-Z With The Mother Of Kalief Brower (R)

As a 16-year-old in the Bronx, Browder was arrested in 2010 for allegedly stealing a backpack. He denied the allegations, but spent three years on Rikers Islands, two of which were under solitary confinement. His charges were dropped and he was eventually released before his case ever went to trial. In 2015, he committed suicide. He was 22.

During a press conference on Thursday (Oct. 6), Jay Z said it was his duty to shed light on the controversy. “We’re here to bring awareness and light to Kalief’s story,” he said. “That’s why we’re here.”

He also reflected on meeting Browder before his passing. “I just wanted to give him words of encouragement,” he said, “that I saw his story and I’m proud of him for making it through, and to keep pushing…He’s done more in 19 years than most do in a lifetime.”

Jay-Z 

“TIME: The Kalief Browder Story” is set to air in January 2017 on Spike TV.

Jay Z said he came across Browder's story in an article in the New Yorker magazine and reached out to the young man, eventually meeting him. "I just wanted to give him words of encouragement," Jay Z said. He wanted to tell him "I'm proud of him for making it through."

Kalief Browder 

The rapper, whose real name is Shawn Carter, later brought the Browder project to Weinstein, who said he wasn't familiar with the case. "I'm going to be honest. I didn't even know who Kalief was until Shawn showed us footage and talked to us about the project," Weinstein said. "Now I want to make sure everybody knows."

The series is directed by Jenner Furst, who wouldn't explain how he obtained Browder's video interrogation by police. It will be the first to emerge from a new deal between the rapper and The Weinstein Company to produce TV shows and movies. Also on the agenda is a film about comedian Richard Pryor, directed by Lee Daniels.

"I think it's very clear that solitary confinement for a 16-year-old is wrong to every single person in here," he said. "It's inhumane."

Video Credits : Spike TV