Jeen-Yuhs Filmmakers Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah Sit Down for A Conversation on Creativity At The Kennedy Center in D.C. with Cultural Film Producer Mimi Valdes

Last week, Black Filmmakers Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah, known for their work with Kanye West, as Directors-Videographers for Through The Wire and Jesus Walks music videos, discussed their come up in the Hip Hop industry at The Kennedy Center in D.C. with Mimi Valdes, cultural Film Producer (Hidden Figures, Roxanne Roxanne) and Chief Creative Officer for i am OTHER.

Pharell joins i am OTHER Business Parter, Mimi Valdes at Oscars for Hidden Figures nomination.

Photo Credit: Frazer Harrison

Mimi Valdes sits with Pharell and cast of Hidden Figures, Janelle Monae and Aldis Hodge along with Co-Producer Marisa Paiva at Palm Springs Film Festival

Photo Credit: Frazer Harrison

Hip Hop heads in the late 90's and early 00's were first introduced to Kanye West during an interview with MA$E and his Harlem World crew, but knew little about the 'Channel Zero' host interviewing the aspiring entertainers.

Fast Forward to January 2022, Netflix premiered the phenomenally impactful Jeen-Yuhs docuseries, which captured over 20 years of the most memorable moments of Kanye Wests' rise to super stardom, and intimate moments with his late mother Donda West, while also sharing highlights from the two Director's lives as well.

As an early Ye fan, who's starting to have a change of heart (like most of us 😒) - I didn't run to watch Jeen-Yuhs.   It took me a few months, but I'm happy I did.... 

Knowing Ye has intellectual, down-to-earth friends in his immediate circle, helps me keep hope alive.  😄

Photo Credit: Kennedy Center

Attending the Kennedy Center discussion solidified my thoughts about the duo.  Coodie and Chike are truly humble and cool.

Chike, the more reserved of the two, talked about the limitless opportunities in New York City, while working at MTV, in comparison to his hometown New Orleans.  He praised Coodie as a visionary and explained how they balanced each other - creatively.

Both shared their experiences meeting Kanye through Channel Zero and MTV, while sharing stories about other works in their portfolio, including documentaries; Benji: The True Story of a Dream Cut Short, A Kid From Coney Island (Stephon Marbury), Muhammad Ali: People's Champ and the legendary Window Seat music video with Erykah Badu.  

Before wrapping the conversation, Coodie and Chike shared the 6-minute Jeen-Yuhs sizzle reel, that got Kanye onboard for the film's release. 

As a nod to their accomplishments, the business partners formally introduced their production company Creative Control and revealed their production logo, exclusively to the Kennedy Center audience, followed by audience questions and a few photos.

Photo Credit: @BlackLabMedia_  Three photos above and two photos below

Photo Credit: Kennedy Center

Urban Fashion Sense THANKS The Kennedy Center for the opportunity to cover this discussion.  

Jeen-Yuhs is now streaming on Netflix.  

Follow Creative Control TV for more works by Coodie & Chike.

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