On December 18th , Sony announced its development of a DJ Screw biopic. Screw, born Robert Earl Davis Jr, was a hugely influential record producer who indelibly shaped the sound of hip-hop. By slowing records to a lethargic pace and keeping an identical record time-delayed on the same turn table, Screw created the “chopped and screwed” production technique. His records molded Houston hip-hop and, as Houston artists and influence gained popularity, the mainstream. He died of a cough syrup overdose in 2000.
Sony’s biopic is based on producer Isaac Yowman’s All Screwed Up visual tribute. Screw’s family and people affiliated with Screwed Up Click, Screw’s former collective, worked closely with Yowman to honor Screw’s work and relationship to the community. Yowman will act as an executive producer on the film.
