Kanye West Documentary 'Jeen-Yuhs' to Debut on Big Screen Ahead of Netflix Release

Courtesy of Netflix

Act 1 of “Jeen-Yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy,” the controversial upcoming Netflix three-part documentary about rapper Kanye West’s rise to fame is getting a theatrical release.

Feb. 10, a week before its Feb. 16 debut on the streaming service kicks off a three-week event centered around the documentary’s three parts, fans will have a chance to see the opening arc — focused on the artist's early years — in more than 1,100 theaters across the nation.

Filmmakers Clarence "Coodie" Simmons and Chike Ozah praised Netflix for working with them to share it in theatres.

"As filmmakers, it's a blessing to have our work presented on the big screen," they said in a statement announcing the news Friday.

It is a big move for the movie, chronicling over 20 years of West’s career and highlighting his progression from rapper to businessman and eventually presidential candidate. In January, two days ahead of the film’s anticipated premiere at the virtual Sundance Film Festival, the mercurial artist demanded final cut approval over the documentary.

"I'm going to say this kindly for the last time. I must get final edit and approval on this doc before it releases on Netflix,” the 44-year-old rapper wrote in an Instagram post.

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West continued, "Open the edit room immediately so I can be in charge of my own image. Thank you in advance."

In response, Simmons and Ozah told the New York Post, "We're still trying to work things out with Kanye and his team." Later the duo confirmed to Variety that West’s demands would not be met.

Tickets are on sale online at jeen-yuhs-tickets.com. A new trailer for the documentary was also released and can be seen below.

Arrests Made in the Overdose Death of 'The Wire' Actor Michael K. Williams

Photograph by Eli Joshua Ade/ Courtesy HBO

Federal prosecutors have charged four men in connection with the death of actor Michael K. Williams, best known for his iconic portrayal of stickup artist Omar Little on the hit crime drama “The Wire."

As we reported last year, the talented thespian was found dead at the age of 54 in his Brooklyn penthouse Sept. 6.

Drug paraphernalia was found at the scene suggesting he may have fatally OD’d possibly from heroin or fentanyl, a theory that was later confirmed by New York City's medical examiner who determined he died of acute drug intoxication.

Wednesday, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams and Keechant Sewell, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department, said New York police officers arrested the men who are alleged to be part of a Brooklyn drug trafficking crew for selling Williams the lethal dose.

Photo Courtesy Department of Justice

Michael K. Williams purchasing drugs from

Irvin Cartagena.

According to authorities, a surveillance video captured the hand-to-hand transaction in which Williams bought the lethal dose one day before his death. 

The dealer was identified as Irvin Cartagena. The 39-year-old suspect had sold drugs to undercover informants for months prior to Williams' death according to a federal complaint. Cartagena was arrested in Puerto Rico and charged with a narcotics conspiracy, a federal crime.

Cartagena is expected to be presented in federal court there Thursday. Hector Robles, Luis Cruz, and Carlos Macci are the other defendants.

According to the criminal complaint, all of them "continued to sell fentanyl-laced heroin in broad daylight" outside apartment buildings in Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood, "despite knowing Williams died after being sold the product." They will appear in Manhattan federal court Wednesday.

“Michael K. Williams, a prominent actor and producer, tragically overdosed in his New York City apartment from fentanyl-laced heroin. Today, along with our law enforcement partners at the NYPD, we announce the arrests of members of a drug crew, including Irvin Cartagena, the man who we allege sold the deadly dose of drugs to Michael K. Williams," Williams said of the arrests. "This is a public health crisis. And it has to stop. Deadly opioids like fentanyl and heroin don’t care about who you are or what you’ve accomplished. They just feed addiction and lead to tragedy."

Statement of U.S. Attorney Damian Williams on the arrests of four defendants in connection with the overdose death of Michael K. Williams pic.twitter.com/EtrtYTr7xF

— US Attorney SDNY (@SDNYnews) February 2, 2022

Eminem, A Tribe Called Quest, Lionel Ritchie Amongst 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominees

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Hip-hop pioneers and an R&B legend are among the nominees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's 2022
class.

The class, announced Wednesday, features 17 contenders and is led by former rap oddity turned mainstream monster Eminem — the only artist to make the ballot in his first year of eligibility in this class.

Over his 30-plus year career the Detroit native, born Marshall Mathers, has sold over 220 million records, collected 15 Grammys and notched 2002’s Academy Award for Best Original Song for his song "Lose Yourself," off the “8 Mile” soundtrack — a semiautobiographical movie he also starred in.

Joining Eminem in the running for a spot in the hall are fellow hip-hop heavyweights A Tribe Called Quest and soulful singer-songwriter Lionel Ritchie — whose former band the Commodores has yet to be nominated.

“This year’s ballot recognizes a diverse group of incredible artists, each who has had a profound impact on the sound of youth culture,” Rock Hall chairman John Sykes said in a statement. “Their music not only moved generations, but also influenced the sound of countless artists that followed.”

The class also includes standouts from several other genres of music. Country music powerhouse Dolly Parton, new wave legends Duran Duran, 1970s singer-songwriter Carly Simon and ‘90s indie-rock darling Beck round out the first-timers vying for their place in the hall.

Pat Benatar, Devo, the New York Dolls, singer-songwriter Kate Bush, Judas Priest and the Eurythmics, who have all been nominated twice previously, are also back in the running.

More than 1,000 artists, music historians and music industry professionals vote on the nominees, the foundation said, taking into account an artist or group's influence on other musicians, their body of work and "length and depth of career."

This year's inductees will be announced in May with an induction ceremony to follow in the fall. Starting today, fans can vote at 

rockhall.com or at an interactive kiosk at the Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland.

Full list of 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees:

Beck*

Pat Benatar

Kate Bush

DEVO

Duran Duran*

Eminem*

Eurythmics

Judas Priest

Fela Kuti

MC5

New York Dolls

Dolly Parton*

Rage Against the Machine

Lionel Richie*

Carly Simon*

A Tribe Called Quest*

Dionne Warwick  

*first-time nominees