HOLLYWOOD, CA — The Defiant Ones is set to debut on HBO July 9th which part of a 4-part series that delves into the start and accomplishments of producer and music executive Jimmy Iovine, and legendary producer Dr. Dre.
As I watched episode one in a special screening in Los Angeles, filmmaker and director Allen Hughes (Menace II Society, Dead Presidents, Book of Eli) did an incredible job of capture the essence of these two legends and the impact they’ve had on music and society.
With many anticipating the premiere of this docu-series, no stone will be un-turned. Hughes told a story behind the story with his insightful and creative direction of this series. Dr. Dre and Iovine gives up some interesting back stories on their lives as they’ve traveled throughout the music and film industries. And of course they tackle the issue of the “Beats by Dre” deal with Apple, that almost went south thanks to an untimely 2014 video post by singer Tyrese Gibson. Hughes informed everyone that since that video was secretly released without Dr. Dre’s knowing or consent, and that Gibson had not been to the studio since.
After the screening of Episode one and previews to the remaining episodes, Hughes did a Q&A with the audience hosted by hip hop historian Nelson George.
Hughes was joined by another hip hop journalist in Dee Barnes, who hosted a weekly show “Pump It Up” on the FOX networks in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Barnes was instrumental in bringing West Coast hip hop to the forefront with key interviews with NWA, Ice Cube, The DOC, and many others.
Hughes alerted the crowd that Dr. Dre who was accused of assaulting Barnes in an L.A. nightclub in 1991, finally addressed and apologized for his action over 2 years ago. Due to the unfinished documentary, Dre and Hughes sat on the apology until now.
When asked by George, Barnes admitted she hadn’t seen the documentary shot by Hughes but was willing to watch the series. Barnes also informed the crowd that she has a book coming out very soon regarding her journey as a journalist in hip hop.
Hughes gives the Los Angeles audience some background moments of the series.He enlightens us on the fact that a scene almost took place as Dr. Dre was scheduled to visit Suge Knight inside the L.A. County Jail, where he is currently being held on murder charges. Knight was involved in a hit and run murder on one of the set location for the film “Straight Outta Compton” back in 2015.
The is the most sought after, straight to the point, dynamic documentary we’ve seen in many years. It was well worth the four year process it took to make this film.
This documentary begins on on July 9 on HBO and will air on July 10th -12th, with episodes two, three and four.
