Jim Jones' Hip Hop Monologues Returns to the Stage by Popular Demand

Hip Hop's most talked about theatrical production is coming back to the stage by overwhelming demand. Produced by Sony Entertainment, Damon Dash, and J Kyle's Korner Entertainment, Hip Hop Monologues: Inside the Life & Mind of Jim Jones, the critically acclaimed artistic listening set to stage, will open for the first time to the public at the 37 Arts Theater in New York City and will play for a limited edition run of six performances.

Starting at $40, tickets to Hip Hop Monologues are available beginning March 10, 2009 via ticketmaster.com. Performances run from Tuesday March 24th to Friday March 27th at 8 PM with two final performances on Saturday March 28th at 7 PM and 10 PM. The 37 Arts Theater is located at 450 West 37th Street in NYC.

Hip Hop Monologues: Inside the Life & Mind of Jim Jones, first debuted in November 2008 as a first of its kind, two-day theatrical album listening of sorts, set to stage using music from Jones' forthcoming Columbia Records debut album Pray IV Reign (in stores March 24th) as the platform. Its two day showing was exclusive to an audience of celebrities and media, music and entertainment industry insiders. Due to the overwhelming buzz and reviews of this private theatrical event, Hip Hop Monologues is returning to stage and opening to the public for the first time at the overwhelming demand of Jim Jones fans, theatre enthusiasts and critics alike.

"Jim Jones's play [is] a triumph!, ...37 Arts, where the show went down, was packed to the brim with all of the roughly 300 seats filled..."

Adam Fleischer, XXLMAG.com

Accompanied by a live band conducted by Om'Mas Kieth of SA-RA and an ensemble of professional actors, Jim performs songs from his new album in the context of a scripted story. The plot is straight-forward and peripherally autobiographical: rapper Jim Jones, having garnered worldwide fame, returns to Harlem to interact with characters from his past: a preacher, his son's mother, a police detective, jealous enemies, even Jim himself as a younger man. After almost getting killed in an impromptu dice game, Jim is counseled by an old school elder on how to endure the stresses of being famous and the great responsibility of teaching the next generation. Later Jim finds himself having to make the decision of his life by either taking his elder's wise advice or returning to his street ways and risk losing it all. Several roles will be portrayed by contributors to Pray IV Reign.

The play, produced written and directed by acclaimed actor, writer and director J. Kyle Manzay, interweaves many elements including multimedia and an intricate backdrop among other things into what J. Kyle terms a "surreal representation of 110th Street in Harlem"-- complete sensory stimuli.

"Infused with a live band, rap and rhymes highlighting Jones' tumultuous upbringing and his rise to fame, the "Hip Hop Monologues" puts a new spin and breaks the monotony of a typical album listening session."

Melissa Castellanos, CBS News

"Hip Hop Monologues: Inside the Life & Mind of Jim Jones was a remarkable piece of work."

Elon Johnson, Martinpink.com

Tickets for Hip Hop Monologues: Inside the Life & Mind of Jim Jones, go on sale today March 10, 2009 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com.

For additional information on Jim Jones, Hip Hop Monologues or Pray IV Reign, please visit www.jimjonesofficial.com

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

SOURCE: Columbia Records

CONTACT: Jennifer J.A. Williams of J Sharpe Agency Public Relations,
+1-646-269-5870, or jennifer@jsharpeagency.com; or For Jim Jones please
contact: Andre Morris of Columbia Records, +1-212-833-5072, or
andre.morris@sonymusic.com; or Chloe Walsh of Press Here Publicity,
+1-212-246-2640, or chloe@pressherepublicity.com

Web Site: http://www.jimjonesofficial.com/