A prison in Cameroon has turned into a recording studio, churning out hit songs and a critically acclaimed documentary. Jail Time Records, an on-site music label, has become a beacon of hope for inmates at the notorious New Bell prison in Douala, Cameroon.
A City Within a City
New Bell is a facility that has adapted its own laws to suit its occupants. The prison has its own "taxis" (inmates who deliver messages), law enforcement (burly prisoners who help guards police the facility), and market (stalls where convicts sell and buy goods). This spirit of resilience is evident in the music that flows from Jail Time Records.
Making Mini Stars
Empereur, a feared leader inside and outside the prison, has amassed 24,000 YouTube views with a music video filmed entirely in prison. Songs from the inmates have gained fans from as far away as South Africa, the US, and Argentina. Steve Happi, a former inmate and co-founder of Jail Time Records, explains the significance of the project: "It's this instrument of resistance… where we can really share friendship, love and our voices can be heard." The studio's survival is paramount to many of the artists, especially given New Bell's bitter environment.
A Documentary and a Concert
The Jail Time Records studio is a small, sweaty recording booth attached to a room inhabited by a solitary computer. It's the site of great catharsis and creativity, as captured in a recent documentary named after the studio. The documentary, directed by Happi and Italian artist Dione Roach, won three prizes, including best documentary feature, at New York's Tribeca film festival. In February, the label put on a huge concert for the prisoners in New Bell's courtyard, with the head of the prison attending and dancing with the performers.
A Rehabilitation Process
The prison authorities appear to share the view that the project is a rehabilitation process. They were receptive to the idea of a music studio, and the head of the prison attended this year's concert. Happi explains the approach: "We enter the prison without any judgment and it's the only way we can really approach this kind of work." The music, he says, is a way of self-discovery and coming to terms with past actions. The process, Happi believes, can lead to positive change.
A Power of Art
The music that comes out of New Bell is amazing, according to Taika Waititi, the New Zealand Oscar-winning director who served as an executive producer for the documentary. He sees the project as an example of the power of art in relation to redemption and what that can mean to someone who is in prison for life. "Having an outlet is an incredibly powerful and humane thing," he says. The project's success has sparked interest from around the world, with fans tuning in to the music and the documentary.
Source: Joy Online
