Grindstone Entertainment Acquires Rights to Michael A. Pinckney's 'You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Kills You'

Grindstone Entertainment, a subsidiary of Lionsgate, has acquired the U.S. domestic rights for the hip-hop thriller "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Kills You." The film was written and directed by Michael A. Pinckney who has worked as an Assistant Director for Spike Lee for more than 10 years. Lee is an Executive Producer on the film.

"You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Kills You" is described as "an action-packed, gritty tale about two New York City homicide detectives forced into the high-stakes world of hip-hop when a serial killer with an appetite for the genre's biggest stars unleashes his wrath on the city. The edgy thriller leaves audiences breathless as a complex web of sex, money and murder unfolds before their eyes. The film immediately grabbed buyers' attention during its debut screening at the annual American Film Market."

The film stars Emmy-winning and "NYPD Blue" veteran James McDaniel, as well as Michael K. Williamswho is best known for his roles in "The Wire" and "Boardwalk Empire." Co-stars in the film include Michael Mosley from ABC's "Pan AM" and Nashawn Kearse, who has been featured in "The Sopranos," "Desperate Housewives" and "Entourage." Rounding out the standout cast are special cameo appearances by legendary hip-hop icons Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh and Ed Lover.
Locomotive Distribution brokered the domestic acquisition of the film and the company is slated to handle international sales and distribution rights. Locomotive recently launched a new genre called "Firebox," which will feature innovative films in the horror and thriller categories. "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Kills You" will be the first feature film released under the new shingle.

Gabriel Gornell, Chief Creative Officer for Locomotive Distribution added, "We are thrilled to launch this new label with "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Kills You," an innovative genre that blends hip-hop and horror. The gritty story will keep horror fans entertained and hip-hop fans craving new tracks." Locomotive is also looking to collaborate on another one of Pinckney's projects "The Badboy of R&B", the story of embattled R&B sensation Bobby Brown, a story that Pinckney also penned.