Concept

Genre:

feature documentary

Tech:

UHD, ENG, colour, spatial audio

Tags:

music, entertainment, culture, lifestyle

"Jamaica is one of the most musically influential nations in the world. Throughout the entire globe, there are pockets that are constantly in touch with what goes on in the dancehall community, from Germany to Japan, to different parts of Africa like Ghana"

The documentary delves into the history and evolution of vibrant Dancehall culture, tracing its roots to the current position in global mainstream. It analyzes the social and cultural impact of Dancehall both in Jamaica and internationally, offering a comprehensive view of the genre and celebrating the energy and creativity of Dancehall while also acknowledging its complexities and controversies.

1. EARLY TIMES

The story begins in the 1940s within the dance halls of Kingston, where the concept of the "sound system" emerged. Pioneers such as Tom the Great Sebastian, Coxsone Dodd, Duke Reid, and Count Machuki played pivotal roles.

Our research will delve into toasting, riddims, sound clashes, and other significant cultural elements of Dancehall culture. We aim to provide a background that traces the impact of that era on the Dancehall genre and modern global culture, while also paying tribute to the originators.

2. CULTURE

Dancehall transcends being merely a music genre; it embodies a lifestyle deeply ingrained in Jamaican culture. This documentary ventures into the heart of modern Jamaican parties pulsating with the Dancehall spirit, offering an immersive look into the culture, fashion, dances, and potent messages it conveys.

We also tackle the controversial issues and challenges that have surfaced within the Dancehall community. Furthermore, we explore the vibrant and dynamic lifestyle of Kingston and the breathtaking natural beauty of the island, providing a comprehensive understanding of the environment that shapes and is shaped by Dancehall.

3. POPULARITY

Yellowman marked a significant milestone in Dancehall history as the first Jamaican deejay to sign with a major American record label. This set the stage for the genre's evolution, paving the way for other great artists such as Shabba Ranks, Buju Banton, Beenie Man, and Bounty Killer, who garnered immense international popularity. The rise of female deejays, including Sister Nancy and Lady Saw, also played a crucial role in diversifying the genre.

In the early 2000s, Dancehall broke into the global mainstream music industry, with its fusion with pop music making it a worldwide phenomenon. A new wave of artists, including Sean Paul, Vybz Kartel, Shaggy, Elephant Man, Busy Signal, Mr. Vegas, and others, spearheaded this new era of Dancehall, cementing its place on the international stage. Our documentary aims to highlight the artists who have made a profound impact on the modern music industry, celebrating their contributions in a comprehensive narrative.

4. WORLDWIDE

Dancehall music has achieved global recognition through collaborations between Jamaican artists and their international counterparts. However, it's crucial for audiences worldwide to grasp the genre's origins and historical context. By the 2010s, Dancehall experienced a spike in popularity across African countries, including Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and others.

In these regions, Dancehall artists frequently utilize their lyrics to spotlight political and social issues, advocating for citizens' rights. This trend raises the question: could this represent a new frontier for the genre?

5. INFLUENCE

Dancehall music has significantly impacted the British and American music scene and hip-hop, experiencing a surge in popularity and mainstream recognition over the past decade. This rise has seen a multitude of Western artists embracing the genre, with Major Lazer, Rihanna, Drake, Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, Skrillex, Nicki Minaj, and Chris Brown, among others, releasing songs inspired by Dancehall or featuring its elements.

While this crossover has broadened Dancehall's appeal, it has also sparked debates around whitewashing and cultural appropriation, drawing criticism from journalists and listeners alike. However, an essential perspective remains to be fully explored: what do the musicians who are the pillars of Dancehall culture think about this phenomenon?

We aim to preserve the heritage and establish recognition of the genre's influence among modern audiences while creating an ultimate and nuanced overview of the genre. Our goal is to collect relevant and significant information about the genre and craft it into an engaging narrative, utilizing commentary by popular artists, restoring and modernizing archival footage, and focusing on the vibrant Jamaican culture and lifestyle through vivid cinematography. We will showcase Jamaica and its natural beauty in a new way. Archival materials and old interviews will be combined with new footage, with all archives remastered and styled using a cinematic approach to complement the vibrant art direction of the film.

Jamaica has nurtured several generations of exceptionally talented artists, and their story deserves to be told by those who have shaped the genre over the years.

Our goal is to unite key Dancehall figures and contemporary musicians influenced by the genre for in-depth interviews, aiming to enrich the experience and provide a deeper exploration of the culture.

Numerous popular Western artists have drawn inspiration from Dancehall and island music, making their perspectives valuable in presenting a multifaceted image of the genre.

We employ modern technologies and artificial intelligence to remaster, colorize, and enhance archival footage and old interviews of Dancehall legends to 4K quality, aiming to preserve and honor the heritage of the genre's originators. Additionally, we concentrate on sound design and mixing to guarantee the ultimate movie experience, whether in cinema theaters or through modern home sound systems and headphones via streaming services. This documentary is designed to not only look but also sound exceptionally good!

"Dancehall music is perceived as party music, which it is because of the rhythm, but there are messages that do come through or a purpose of an artist saying something to the world. People usually don't get the messages because of the partying."

Sean Paul, Jamaican musician

SPM Production is an independent European production company that creates narrative films and music videos. The catalogue includes more than 100 released music videos with more than 1,5 billions views on YouTube , full-length documentaries and docuseries.

Q1-Q2, 24

Researching, writing the script, negotiations

Q3-Q4, 24

Production phase, archival
work, interviews, post-production phase 1

TBA

Post-production phase II,
distributuon, legal

Andrey Gorovoy
producer@spmpro.cy
+357 968 47 480 phone / whatsapp