EXCLUSIVE: Hot off the Sundance debut of Ahmir “Questlove’ Thompson’s Sly Lives! documentary and an SNL50 celebration weekend that saw the Roots literally centerstage, the Oscar winner and MC frontman Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter are strengthening the bench at their Two One Five Entertainment.
The founding members of the iconic hip-hop band have brought AGBO veteran Josh Williams onboard as the ever expanding Two One Five’s Director of Scripted Development. He will be focused on running all original development of scripted projects, with a spotlight on original series/features. Based out of the now six-year old production company’s L.A. offices, Williams will report to Zarah Zohlman, Two One Five’s Director of Development & Production.
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“We are excited to welcome Josh Williams to the Two One Five team as Director of Scripted Development,” The Roots co-founders said today. “He is a talented executive, and we’re fortunate to add him to our dynamic and expanding team. Through his added expertise, we look forward to amplifying our scope of projects and elevating our creative vision.”
The experienced exec himself added: “This role reflects my passion for storytelling, innovation, and fostering opportunities for new voices in the entertainment industry. I look forward to collaborating with the Two One Five team in this new position to drive creative initiatives that resonate with audiences around the world.”
Having brought into the world such offerings as Thompson’s directorial debut and the Academy Award winning docu Summer Of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised) as well as projects for AMC, BET, Amazon, Twitch, YouTube and Daughters on Netflix, Two One Five recently saw Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) hit not only Park City, but Hulu and Disney+ with its February 13 launch on the connected streamers. As well as having projects on Stevie Wonder in conjunction with Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground, plus books, podcasts, and an Earth, Wind & Fire film in the hopper, Two One Five produced the Ladies & Gentlemen …50 Years of SNL Music special that ran on January 27 – and that’s in addition to The Roots being the house band on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, putting out albums and touring.
Formed in 2019, and having inked a first look deal with Universal Television, Two One Five Entertainment sold a stake in the company to Peter Chernin’s content studio The North Road Company in 2023. Individually, Questlove and Black Thought are represented by manager Shawn Gee, as is The Roots and Two One Five. WME also reps Two One Five.
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