Songs from the Hole, the acclaimed documentary-visual album composed by a young man while he was behind prison bars, has been acquired by Netflix.

At 15, James “JJ’88” Jacobs took a life — only to lose his brother three days later. Having both committed and experienced violent harm, the incarcerated musician explores his identity and untangled his complex emotions through first-person narration and lyrical journal entries, using music as a path to redemption and healing.

Songs from the Hole, which had its award-winning world premiere at SXSW 2024, is the product of a unique collaboration between director Contessa Gayles (The Feminist on Cellblock Y, Founder Girls), JJ’88 and producer/music producer richie reseda. The film unfolds like a vibrant tapestry, woven together with music and mixed-media storytelling including animation, re-creations of imagined memories, dreams and spiritual dialogues, all set to JJ’88’s original music. It will be available to stream on Netflix on Aug. 13.

“Making this film, we knew we had the opportunity to really push the form and defy genre, to create something folks really haven’t seen or experienced before,” Gayles tells Netflix. “The documentary-visual album approach felt like the only real way to do JJ’88’s soul-baring music, and his and his family’s story, justice. Manifesting this creative vision, from the hole to Netflix, was only possible because of our very intentional collaboration, spanning across prison walls, one 15-minute phone call and handwritten letter in the mail at a time. This story is a testimony, and this film is an offering of the power of imagination, and the potential for healing within us all and liberation for us all.”

Releasing alongside the film on Aug. 13 is Songs from the Hole EP, containing 13 tracks originally written and recorded by JJ’88 while he was serving time. It was later reproduced by richie reseda, Dylan Wiggins and Tairiq Bright & Garfield Bright III of Twiin Towers, keeping the original prison-recorded vocals. The EP is executive produced by richie reseda, JJ’88, and Rahael Asfaw for Question Culture. You can preorder the EP here.  I wrote this music in the hole to process and heal the trauma I experienced and caused,” JJ’88 tells Netflix. “I wrote this film in prison to share that healing. This is a testament to the power of music, family, and faith.” 

Songs from the Hole premiered at SXSW 2024, where it won the Audience Award, Visions category. The film has since earned accolades including the 2024 Jury Prize for Best Documentary Feature at the BlackStar Film Festival, an IDA Award nomination for Best Music Documentary, and the 2025 Cinema Eye Honors Heterodox Award.