Private Project

We Paid Let Us In! The Legend of Abstract Mindstate

The film chronicles the inspiring journey of Chicago’s hardest working rhyme duo, Abstract Mindstate (as seen in the film, Jeen-Yuhs). A standout in the Chicago hip hop scene during the late 90’s and early 2000’s, Olskool Ice-Gre and E.P Da Hellcat were known for their live show and gritty double entendre laced lyrics. As the only noted male/female duo in hip hop, Abstract Mindstate faced many highs and lows along the way that lead to a sixteen-year hiatus until one of the most decorated and highly regarded artists in music, Kanye West got a hold of some of their early work and was inspired to produce an entire album of new music for them. Armed with a new body of work and a cosign from one of the biggest names in the world, Abstract Mindstate is here to tell the world that Dreams Still Inspire.

  • Trizonna McClendon
    Director
  • Trizonna McClendon
    Writer
  • Greg "Olskool Ice-Gre" Lewis
    Key Cast
  • Daphne "EP Da Hellcat" Mitchell
    Key Cast
  • Abstract Mindstate
    Key Cast
  • Abstract Mindstate
    Executive Producers
  • Trizonna McClendon
    Executive Producers
  • Greg Lewis
    Producer
  • Common
    Appearances by
  • Deon Cole
    Appearances by
  • Coodie
    Appearances by
  • Special Ed
    Appearances by
  • Datwon Thomas
    Appearances by
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature
  • Genres:
    Documentary, Music, Feature, indie Film
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 27 minutes 7 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 22, 2021
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, Canon
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Trizonna McClendon

Chicago native, Trizonna McClendon is an Emmy award-winning television producer with close to twenty years experience in the industry. She has lent her talents to networks such as NBC, Netflix, Bravo, BET, Lifetime, plus many many more. Most recently she has written, produced and directed her first documentary film, We Paid Let Us In! The Legend of Abstract Mindstate. Trizonna is also the Supervising Story Producer and co-writer of the inspirational documentary film, She Did That. As a multi-passionate creative, she also flexes her vocal prowess as a singer-songwriter with music featured on Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It series currently streaming on Netflix.

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