‘DRAKE’S HOMECOMING: THE LOST FOOTAGE’
REDISCOVERED 2009 CONCERT FOOTAGE FROM TORONTO’S SOUND ACADEMY WITH EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS COMING TO SELECT U.S. MOVIE THEATERS
Drake’s Lost Concert Comes to Select Cinemas for One Night on March 19, Presented by Fathom Events, SpectiCast, Serious Ent., AMG Inc., Rap-A-Lot Records and Young Empire Music Group
DENVER – February 25, 2015 – Grammy®-Award winning, platinum-selling recording artist and multi-faceted entertainer Drake comes to the big screen for a special one-night concert event, “DRAKE’S HOMECOMING: THE LOST FOOTAGE,” on Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. local time, presented by Fathom Events, SpectiCast, Rap-A-Lot Records and Young Empire Music Group. Previously believed lost and destroyed, the footage for “DRAKE’S HOMECOMING: THE LOST FOOTAGE” was shot prior to Drake signing with Little Wayne’s Young Money (Cash Money/Universal) imprint during a live, sold-out concert at Toronto’s Sound Academy in 2009. After its recent rediscovery, additional production and footage was added to the concert film including interviews with Rap-a-Lot Records CEO James Prince and his son Jas Prince, who is credited with the discovery of Drake and bringing him to the attention of Little Wayne. The soundtrack includes the international smash hits, “Best I Ever Had” and “Successful.”
Tickets for “DRAKE’S HOMECOMING: THE LOST FOOTAGE,” are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. The event will be presented in nearly 350 select movie theaters around the country through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network. For a complete list of theater locations visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).
First known for his role on the highly-successful television series “Degrassi: The Next Generation,” the Toronto-based rapper Drake now holds the record for the most number one hits on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Chart. Prior to his current fame, Drake self-released several mixtapes before releasing the single “Best I Ever Had” from the 2009 mixtape “So Far Gone,” which charted to #2 on the Billboard’s “Hot 100” chart. After signing to Universal, Drake released the album “Thank Me Later” (2010) which reached sales of 1.5 million and produced the top ten hit “Over.” 2011 saw the release of the multi-platinum album “Take Care” and Drake winning a Grammy for the “Best Rap Album.” His 2012 “Club Paradise Tour” was the highest grossing hip-hop tour, bringing in in excess of $42 million. 2013’s release of “Nothing Was The Same” earned Drake the top spot in the Billboard 200, a platimum certification, and another Grammy nomination. 2013/2014’s “Would You Like a Tour” grossed over $48 million. 2015 will see the release of his fourth studio album, “Views From The 6,” released worldwide.
Jas Prince, CEO of Young Empire Music Group said, “When I first listened to Drake I had no idea he was on a hit show, I just fell in love with his sound and talent – it was unique and like nothing I had ever heard before. I told him during our first conversation I would make him a star. This film documents the beginning of that journey.”
Fathom Events Vice President of Programming Kymberli Frueh-Owens said, “Drake is an incredibly talented and dynamic performer. We are extremely pleased to bring this newly unearthed concert footage to movie theaters nationwide. The exciting part of this piece is that it features Drake at a breakthrough moment in his young career in the rarified air and company of his hometown fans in Toronto”
SpectiCast Co-founder and President Mark Rupp said, “SpectiCast is proud to be the worldwide distributer of this film. Drake is an international superstar and we are excited to showcase him at the start of his mammoth career. This rare footage is a must-see for every Drake fan across the globe.”
-30-
For artwork/photos related to “DRAKE’S HOMECOMING: THE LOST FOOTAGE,” visit the Fathom Events press site.
About Fathom Events: Fathom Events is the recognized leader in the alternative entertainment industry, offering a variety of one-of-a-kind entertainment events in movie theaters nationwide that include live, high-definition performances of the Metropolitan Opera, the performing arts, major sporting events, music concerts, comedy series, Broadway shows, original programming featuring entertainment’s biggest stars, socially relevant documentaries with audience Q&A and much more. Fathom Events takes audiences behind-the-scenes and offers unique extras, creating the ultimate entertainment experience. It is owned by a consortium called AC JV, LLC., comprised of AMC Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: AMC), Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK) and Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC), the three largest movie theater circuits in the United States. In addition, Fathom Events’ live digital broadcast network (“DBN”) is the largest cinema broadcast network in North America, bringing live events to more than 775 locations in 171 Designated Market Areas® (including all of the top 50). For more information, visit www.fathomevents.com.
About SpectiCast: SpectiCast is the fastest growing event cinema marketing and distribution company in the world, providing specialty film programs, cultural arts events, contemporary music programs, and other alternative content to over 2,000 theatrical and non-theatrical venues in 47 countries around the globe. SpectiCast provides content rights holders with turnkey access to theatrical and all downstream digital platforms including DVD, VOD and TV and distributes programs from some of the world’s most prestigious cultural arts organizations including the Strafford Festival, Opera de Paris, The Salzburg Festival, The Paris Opera Ballet, the Mariinsky Theatre, the British Museum, and the Philadelphia Orchestra
SpectiCast is a privately owned and operated firm based in Philadelphia, PA.
www.specticast.com or www.specticast.com/drake
About Rap-A-Lot Records Rap-a-Lot Records is a Houston hip hop record label that was created in 1986. Sub-labels include Smoke-a-Lot Records. The label was founded by James Prince in the mid-1980s and, with its most famous act the Geto Boys, put the South on the hip hop map. Since then, it has maintained its success and focus on gangsta and southern rap. It was distributed through the 1990s by the EMI labels Priority Records (1991–1994) and Virgin Records (1994–2000). During the 2000s, it was distributed by WEA’s Asylum Records and then Fontana Distribution. Geto Boys was the labels first nationally popular act, while Devin the Dude, whom The New York Times called “a brilliant oddball with a spaced-out flow. On August 22, 2013, Rap-a-Lot Records announced that it recently signed a distribution deal with RED Distribution. Artists currently on its roster include Z-Ro and Bun B among others. www.rapalotrecords.com
About Young Empire Music Group: Young Empire Music Group is a Los Angeles/Houston based record label. It was founded in 2007 by Jas Prince, son of James Prince founder of the historic music label Rap-A-Lot Records. Since it’s inception YEMG’s founder has been credited with the discovery of platinum selling recording artist Drake, and has a roster of new emerging acts that include; Stanaj, The Sauce Twins, Von, SJ3 and Ken Randle.