New York City
Hot Shot dancehall artist Shaggy has added Film Executive Producer to his professional monikers with his latest venture. The Jamaican-American deejay’s name is attached to the film “Bad Like Brooklyn Dancehall,” which is a documentary about the impact Jamaican immigrants have had on the development of dancehall in the US.
The timely and culturally relevant film is set to premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City June 8, 2023.
Bad Like Brooklyn Dancehall is also co-executive produced by James Cole, Leo Matchett and Mike Musante and comes at a time when Jamaican dancehall has seen a dip in sales and several artists from the island are unable to travel including top billers a Beenie Man and Bounty Killer.
The film written directed by New York based film maker Ben DiGiacomo and co-directed by Pierre ‘Dutty’ Vannier explores the ‘80s and ‘90s emergence of dancehall as Jamaican immigrants brought the music, dancing, and vibes of their home to New York City according to Tribeca Film Festival’s website.
New York City became home to an influential movement that saw dancehall rise alongside hip-hop and eventually spread across the country with acts like Supercat playing an influential role in Hip Hop’s development as he was the fists to collaborate with Biggie Smalls.
There are stories from acts like Sean Paul, Ding Dong, Shaggy, DJ Kool HErc, Bobby Konders, Miss Patt of VP Records and many more stars from the genre as they tell the story of dancehall’s impact on the Big Apple.
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Producers of the flick says there are “never-before-seen archival footage that bridges the journey from Kingston to Brooklyn, this film will delight not just dancehall fans but believers of the power of music to bring people together,” that will leave audiences dancing.
After the showing at the Festival, there will also be a concert with several dancehall acts.
The 2023 Tribeca Film Festival presented by AT&T happens June 7- June 18. Read more about the festival here.
