Showtime has acquired the North American rights to “Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men,” Sacha Jenkins’s documentary series on rap group Wu-Tang Clan.
The four-part series, which will debut the first two episodes during the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 28, will air on Showtime this spring.
“The Wu-Tang Clan is a seminal group that deserves a seminal documentary,” said Vinnie Malhotra, executive vice president, nonfiction programming, Showtime Networks Inc. “Sacha Jenkins delivers just that, not only reminding us of their powerful history through vintage footage, but also placing their impact in modern-day perspective that will be meaningful both to their diehard fans and music fans in general. I’m excited to be returning to Sundance with Sacha years after his directorial debut with what I believe to be his best work yet.”
“Of Mics and Men” is tied to the 25th anniversary of Wu-Tang’s debut album, “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).” The series looks back on their career, combining intimate and reflective interviews from each of the nine living members with never-before-seen archival footage and performances.
The series follows the founding members – RZA, GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard (who died in 2004), Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, U-God, Ghostface, Method Man, Masta Killa and Cappadonna – many of whom were childhood friends in the hardscrabble world of ’70s and ’80s Staten Island and Brooklyn. Their ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit brought them together to overcome the poverty, violence and oppression of their neighborhoods. But it was music and their shared lyrical genius that allowed them to form the most recognized musical movement in the world, all while walking the treacherous tightrope that links business with brotherhood.
Jenkins has a long history with the Wu-Tang Clan. He founded one of the first zines (short magazines) for hip-hop, “Beat Down,” and gave the group its first cover. “Of Mics and Men” is a Mass Appeal production in association with Endeavor Content. Peter J. Scalettar, Peter Bittenbender and Chris Gary serve as executive producers.
Endeavor Content, which is still representing international rights, brokered the deal.
The news comes a month after Showtime aired Antoine Fuqua’s documentary on disgraced rap mogul, Death Row Records co-founder, Marion “Suge” Knight.