Recently Released from the Feds, Former Playboy TV Producer Ken Francis Inks “Buckwild” YouTube Deal with Fullscreen, Inc.

image_pdfimage_print
Ken Francis III  pictured back in the day with his bevy of  beauties on the set of "The Buckwild Show." photo credit:  Joel Payne
Ken Francis III pictured back in the day with his bevy of beauties on the set of “The Buckwild Show.”
photo credit: Joel Payne

Los Angeles – Former Playboy TV producer Ken Francis III has signed a deal with Fullscreen, Inc., one of the largest YouTube multi-channel network operators. Fullscreen, Inc., will promote and monetize Francis’ YouTube channel, “The Buckwild Show,” an archive of exclusive behind-the-scene footage Francis has secured filming, interviewing and documenting the biggest names in hip hop over the past two decades, including Snoop Dogg, Run DMC, Black Eyed Peas, Pharrell, Bobby Brown, and Outkast. Francis’ channel will feature classic episodes of “The Buckwild Show” as well as his new show, “In The Lab.” The signing marks a milestone feat for Francis who was just released from Federal prison less than a year ago.

An original and groundbreaking hip hop music video show, “The Buckwild Show” presents top name artists with sexy models. The series originally aired on Playboy TV in 2005 and has now been revamped for YouTube programming.

Snoop Dog and producer Ken Francis III  on the set of "The Buckwild Show" photo credit:  Joel Payne
Snoop Dog and producer Ken Francis III
on the set of “The Buckwild Show”
photo credit: Joel Payne

Francis’ other show, “In The Lab,” goes behind the scenes of music productions, featuring footage of studio sessions with various top recording artists. The show also showcases the home studios of famous as well as up-coming artists. There is a “Check The Technique” segment where music producers reveal some of their recording tips and Francis’ vintage footage of various celebrities in the studio is highlighted in the “Classic Clips” segment of the show.

“The Buckwild Show” channel will also incorporate current celebrity hip hop news into Francis’ funny “Qwik Clips,” a ‘talking heads’ spoof on topical subjects and current events like the Drake vs. Meek Mill rap battle. There is exclusive archival footage of various artists like Kim Kardashian and Ray J, Quincy Jones, Jamie Foxx, Paris Hilton, Russell Crowe, Justin Timberlake and more. Additional content also includes history making footage such as the attack on Dr. Dre at the Vibe Awards and other memorable music events.

Francis’ personal adventure in the hip hop industry is urban legend status. The television and video producer once captured and documented Hollywood’s most intimate hip hop scenes with his lens. A pioneer underground video veteran, Francis’ early productions included the now cult classics “Buckwild Beach Week,” “Buckwild in Brazil,” and “Buckwild 2001.” These DVD productions were the first to showcase the beauty of women of color back when the popular “Girl’s Gone Wild” series was ignoring them.

It was also Francis who introduced hip hop programming to Playboy TV with his original series “Buckwild.” The shows highlighted uncensored videos and interviews from the likes of Busta Rhymes, Lil’ Jon and the Eastside Boys, the Ying Yang Twins, Jadakiss, Loon and Treach from Naughty by Nature. Real hip hop heads still own the Playboy TV DVD classic “Snoop Dogg’s Buckwild Bus Tour” a project directed and produced by Francis.

A 20-year entertainment industry veteran who worked his way up from an ambitious intern at Polygram Records to owning and operating the hip-hop industry’s most sought-after video vixen modeling agency, Dimepiece USA, Francis furnished countless models for the music videos of superstar artists like Jay Z, Usher, Eminem, 50 Cent, Kanye West, Nelly, Missy Elliot and many others. It was the operation of Dimepiece USA which saw his eventual demise however when he was convicted for the agency’s involvement in an international drug smuggling ring. Francis maintains his innocence to this day.

[youtube id=”wVLs6Mztm-w”]

“My ordeal with the Feds and subsequent imprisonment was a very humbling experience after having such broad access to Hollywood’s elite hip hop community,” reveals Francis. “I believe the journey has enlightened me and given me the answers to some of life’s hidden secrets. I have literally sat in a prison cell and dreamt of days like this.”

“While incarcerated, I spent much of my time writing my memoirs and reading tech and business magazines. Once I realized the Internet was taking over the industry and moving toward original content, I knew I was sitting on a vast catalog of prized footage. I am more than thankful to be aligned with Full Screen, the number one content provider in the marketplace. Securing this deal with them is a huge affirmation for me and a tremendous boost as I work to secure and position myself again.”

New episodes of “The Buckwild Show” air every Tuesday on YouTube and new airings of “In The Lab” premiere every Thursday.

Check out “The BuckWild Show” Channel on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_XgcVn4D1HMisRjXG9euug.

Share