Queen Latifah, Bruce Willis’ ‘Hip Hop Project’ Wins 16 Festival Awards

The buzz has been slowly and steadily building around Queen Latifah and Bruce Willis' 2006 documentary, 'The Hip Hop Project' and the film has finally garnered some serious respect, landing sixteen awards across the film festival circuit. The New York-based story follows a group of at-risk teenagers who are determined to see their musical dreams come to reality, through the help of a local outreach program developed by Chris "Kharma Kazi" Rolles. Rolles, a former homeless teen and once-aspiring rapper, developed 'The Hip Hop Project' in an effort to give back to his community through the Art Start Organization. Rolles credits the organization for helping him find his way as a lost teen growing up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

The documentary charts the growth of Rolles' project as he stresses the creation of thoughtful, content-driven hip-hop music that will empower his mentees. Over a span of four years, the dedicated teens are able to overcome their personal battles in order to collectively create their first studio album, in a space donated by Bruce Willis and Russell Simmons. The film features appearances by Simmons, Doug E. Fresh and MTV personality Sway in addition to Willis. 'The Hip Hop Project' will be available on DVD, Jan. 5, 2010.