Songs from the Hole

A documentary visual album, Songs from the Hole follows James “JJ’88” Jacobs through a musical opus of hip-hop and soul, inspired by his innermost struggles as both a person who has committed and experienced violent harm. The film interweaves the collective storytelling of its non-fiction participants with imagined representations of memories, dreams and spiritual dialogues set to its protagonist and co-creator’s original music.

  • [screenings:SFTH]

  • JJ’88’s story resonates with too many young  people who are impacted by the legal system. The US incarcerates more young people than any other country in the world, and each year 250,000 kids below the age of 18 are tried and prosecuted in adult courts. Songs From the Hole illuminates how the model of retribution as justice is a centerpiece of both illicit street culture and of our legal system of incarceration, both founded upon a similar belief that violent punishment is the necessary answer to harm. There is a profound lack of media focusing on the transformative justice resources and skills that are essential to interrupt cycles of violence and incarceration that are devastating young people of color.

    A critical priority area for Represent Justice is to address the legal system’s impact on young people, and through powerful storytelling, highlight alternatives to incarceration that don’t rely on jails and courts, but instead treat root causes with individual and community investments. The Songs From the Hole impact campaign focuses on bringing the film to audiences impacted by incarceration and in communities disproportionately impacted by violence, and connecting viewers with tools for healing and transformation. 

  • Director, Producer, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor: Contessa Gayles
    Producer, Music Producer & Music EP: richie reseda
    Producer: David Felix Sutcliffe
    Writer & CoProducer, Music Writer, Music Performer & Music EP: JJ'88
    Cinematographer: Michelle Kwong
    Editors: Rafe Scobey-Thal, Princess A. Hairston
    Music Producers: Twiin Towers, Dylan Patrice Wiggins
    Music Executive Producer: Rahael Asfaw

    Cast

    Devonte Hoy
    Myles Vincent
    Africa Uhura
    Jovon Times
    Ernest Walker
    Ryleigh Leggett
    Kellie Evans

    Featuring

    JJ'88
    Victor Benjamin
    William Jacobs Jr.
    Janine Jacobs
    Reneasha Jacobs
    Jacqueline Williams
    Naaji Pruitt
    Lauren "Indigo Mateo" Jacobs