BET Celebrates Black History Month With Premiere of Hip-Hop Documentary Film Series and BET News Special

BET Celebrates Black History Month With Premiere of Hip-Hop Documentary Film Series and BET News Special

The Network Premieres Hip-Hop History Weekend at 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 9 and Counts Down The Top 25 Events That (Mis)Shaped Black America at 9 p.m. Tuesday, February 20.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- BET takes a no-holds-barred approach to Black History Month this February by examining the people, artistic elements and events that shaped Black America and influenced popular culture with a series of hip-hop documentaries during "Hip-Hop History Weekend," and a groundbreaking BET News special, THE TOP 25 EVENTS THAT (MIS)SHAPED BLACK AMERICA.

Kicking off Hip-Hop History Weekend on Friday February 23 at 8:00 p.m. is "Tupac Shakur: Thug Angel," featuring interviews with friends, collaborators and scholars as they look back on Tupac and define his legacy today; "The MC: This is Why We Do It," which explores the origins of MC'ing, as well as the environmental, spiritual and moral aspects to the art form airs Saturday February 24 at 11:00 p.m.; "Black & Blue: Legends of the Hip Hop Cop," bringing to light hard evidence of the NYPD's controversial "rap unit" profiling premieres Sunday, February 25 at 1:00 p.m.; and closing out the weekend is "The Art of 16 Bars" in which some of rap's biggest MCs share their approach from free styling and writing to how to hold the Mic and dealing with being on tour, airing Sunday, February 25 at 3:00 p.m.

Delving deeper into Black culture is the ground-breaking BET News special, THE TOP 25 EVENTS THAT (MIS)SHAPED BLACK AMERICA premiering Tuesday, February 20 at 10:00 pm. This special takes an intelligent yet irreverent look at black history thanks to commentary from top cultural critics, comedians and celebrities. Bringing it all together is host Paul Mooney, returning from the highly-rated 2006 special Top 25 Worst Moments in Black History, with the brilliant and politically incorrect humor that has made him a comedic legend.

Following is a look at more special programming for February's Black History Month schedule on BET:

SPECIALS:
* THE TOP 25 EVENTS THAT (MIS)SHAPED BLACK AMERICA

From high historic crimes such as slavery and apartheid to misdemeanors like the jheri curl, this one hour special takes an intelligent yet irreverent look at black history thanks to commentary from top cultural critics, comedians and celebrities. Hosted by comedian Paul Mooney. Tuesday, February 20 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT

* CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL

BET's popular Celebration of Gospel is back for another round of soul- stirring, hand clapping and inspiring gospel music. Hosted by Steve Harvey. Special tribute honoree: Tyler Perry. Also featuring: Kirk Franklin, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Fantasia, Faith Evans, Coko (SWV), Lil Mo, Dr. Bobby Jones, Yolanda Adams, Smokie Norful, Fred Hammond, Blair Underwood, Louis Gossett Jr., Kelly Price, and Tonex. Saturday, February 3 at 9:00 p.m.; Wednesday, February 7 at 9:00 p.m.; Sunday, February 18 at 10:00 a.m. ET/PT

SERIES FINALE:
* ONE NIGHT ONLY

Catch the inspiring finale of the reality docu-soap that follows a group of high school kids and their drama teacher in New Orleans as they race to mount the Dreamgirls play. Within the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, these kids are rebuilding their homes, school, and community while also trying to enjoy their teenage years. Can the cast pull it off? Watch and you shall see. Fame Comes and Goes, Stars Rise, but Dreams Live Forever! Tuesday, February 27 at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT

HIP HOP HISTORY WEEKEND:
* Tupac Shakur: Thug Angel

Directed by Academy Award nominee Peter Spirer (Rhyme and Reason), "Thug Angel" takes you beyond the drama of Tupac's notoriety in the press through all-new interviews with friends, collaborators and scholars as they look back on Tupac and define his legacy today. Friday, February 23 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT

* The MC: This is Why We Do It

Documentary taking a look inside the world of Hip Hop and MCs to explore the origins of MC'ing, as well as the environmental, spiritual and moral aspects to this art form. MC's consider the past, present and future of their music, giving a unique insight into what drives these artists to continue spitting rhymes. Featuring 50 Cent, Common, Ghostface Killah, Talib Kweli, Method Man, Rakim, Twista, Kanye West and Mekhi Phifer. Saturday, February 24 at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT

* Black & Blue: Legends of the Hip-Hop Cop

Long the subject of rumors in the hip-hop community, this program brings to light hard evidence of the NYPD's controversial "rap unit" profiling, and features interviews with Detective Derrick Parker, who founded the unit following the killing of Notorious B.I.G. in 1997. Featuring 50 Cent, Damon Dash, Ice T, The Game and more. Sunday, February 25 at 1:00 p.m. ET/PT

* The Art of 16 Bars

For the first time, the worlds hottest MCs show you how to do it. From their approach to free styling and writing to how to hold the Mic and dealing with being on tour. Featuring Jadakiss, Jay-Z, KRS-One, Talib Kweli, MC Lyte, Method Man, Kool Moe Dee, Rakim, Twista and Kanye West. Sunday, February 25 at 3:00 p.m. ET/PT

For additional information about Black History Month on BET, please log on to http://www.bet.com/.

ABOUT BET

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc. (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:and)(NYSE:VIA.B), is the leading provider of media and entertainment for African Americans and consumers of Black culture on a global basis. The primary BET cable network reaches more than 84 million households according to Nielsen media research, and can be seen in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. BET Digital Networks - BET J, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop - serve a broader and more diverse audience than the core network. BET.com is the number one internet destination for the target audiences. BET Mobile delivers music, gaming, and video content to the target audiences on wireless devices across virtually all service providers. BET Event Productions is a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe. Finally, BET International delivers BET content to the consumers of Black culture around the world.

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Source: BET Networks

CONTACT: Anne Williams of BET Networks, +1-202-608-2063, or
anne.williams@bet.net

Web site: http://www.bet.com/

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