Wu-Tang Clan Affiliate Subject Of Upcoming Documentary:
\nRisen: The Story of Chron \u201cHell Razah\u201d Smith<\/p>\n
Wu Tang Clan affiliate Hell Razah has always been a celebrated MC, known for his sharp lyrics and intricate flow. A founding member of the group Sunz Of Man — who cracked the Billboard Top 20 with their 1998 remake of Earth, Wind & Fire\u2019s classic \u201cShining Star\u201d alongside the band, Wyclef Jean and Ol\u2019 Dirty Bastard — Razah was discovered and mentored at age 14 by Wu Tang leader RZA and groomed for success. Later dubbed \u201cHeaven Razah\u201d when he went solo in the mid-2000s, the rising young MC made headlines when he was stricken with a brain aneurysm in 2010.<\/p>\n
As a result of this tragedy, Hell Razah has spent the last 7 years slowly recovering from this near-fatal incident, which left him in a coma and unable to use the left side of his body. As Razah has been struggling to learn how to walk, talk, and rhyme again, filmmaker Frank Meyer has been documenting his journey every step of the way. The director and Hell Razah go way back, as Meyer was Sunz of Man\u2019s publicist back in 1997, and later filmed Razah for his G4tv web series Freestyle 101, a series that also featured Ice-T, The Game, Mobb Deep, and Cypress Hill, and was recognized by Steve Jobs at an Apple conference. The resulting documentary film Risen: The Story of Chron \u201cHell Razah\u201d Smith is the result of 7 years of filming, and 20 years of friendship.<\/p>\n
\u201cRazah\u2019s story is one everyone can relate to,\u201d says Meyer. \u201cHe was a talented kid from the streets who worked hard and nearly achieved all of his dreams before this tragedy struck. Now his life has been completely refocused. A lot of rappers will tell you about how they have been shot 9 times, but they won\u2019t let you see them struggling through the rehab process or questioning their future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Risen: The Story of Chron \u201cHell Razah\u201d Smith will provide an uncompromising look into the world of rehabilitation and redemption, the likes of which hip hop has never seen before. From Razah\u2019s physical therapy to his spiritual journey, from his quest to rap again and desire to love again, audiences will rise and fall with this charismatic kid from the projects in Red Hook, who almost had it all, and is now fighting to rebuild his life.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only person I would trust to tell my story is Frank,\u201d Razah confesses. \u201cHe was there in the beginning of my career and we stayed friends all these years. After the aneurism I was very self-conscious and hesitant to give anyone have access to my private life, but I knew I was in the right hands with him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Risen: The Story of Chron \u201cHell Razah\u201d Smith is currently wrapping up principal photography, and stars Wu Tang\u2019s RZA, Cappadonna and Popa Wu, Sunz of Man members Killah Priest, Prodigal Sunn, 60-Second Assassin and Shabazz the Disciple, producer A. Supreme Wilder, rappers such as RA The Rugged Man, Ras Kass, and Crooked I, industry heavyweight Randy Philips (AEG, Global Ent.), Hell Razah\u2019s family and friends, and many more.<\/p>\n
Risen: The Story of Chron \u201cHell Razah\u201d Smith has TBA 2017 release via Digital Reacharound
\nin Association with Idiom Pictures.<\/p>\n