Jail Time Records

The rivetingly intimate Jail Time Records profiles the first prison recording studio on the African continent and three incarcerated artists who express themselves through music.

There are countless music recording studios throughout the African continent, but the first one created in a prison can be found inside New Bell Prison in Cameroon, central Africa. New Bell is one of the most overcrowded prisons in the continent — built for a capacity of 800 incarcerated individuals but now houses nearly 6,000 men. Inside the overpopulated New Bell is “Jail Time Records,” a music studio that serves as a creative hub as well as a therapeutic outlet for the men. “Stone” oversees the Jail Time studio while recording potent tracks alongside other hip hop artists like “Emperor” — a self-ascribed leader among the men who also carries a tempestuous nature — and “Transporter,” a charmer who used to be a getaway driver for a gang. 

The personal ruminations and artistic expressions of these musically-skilled men serve as the pulsating focus of Dione Roach and Steve Happi’s form-pushing, impressive first feature. Dynamically balancing penetrating access and verite with lively musical performances by these men, Jail Time Records is a deeply-intimate exploration into these men’s volatile circumstances, their raw vulnerabilities and hopes for the future — as well as their unbridled artistic aspirations.—Jose Rodriguez