Jamaican ‘Bad Like Brooklyn Dancehall’ documentary premieres to sold-out crowd at Tribeca Festival

The Tribeca Festival was transformed into Jamaican music excellence when Grammy-Award winning dancehall reggae artist Shaggy and a slew of other dancehall artists, deejays, and record industry hotshots arrived last Thursday, for the world premiere of “Bad Like Brooklyn Dancehall,” a documentary film that delves into the coming-of-age immigrants across Brooklyn during the 80s and 90s.

The sold-out viewing at the Indeed Theater at Spring Studios in Tribeca, was a testament to the massive influence Jamaican music has on the world, especially in Brooklyn where many were drawn to dancehall music to keep connected to life back home.

Executive-produced by world-renowned entertainer, Shaggy, the poignant film that chronicles the genre of music garnered loud applause, for its in-depth authenticity.

According to one review, the preservation of key elements of culture through deejays, sound systems, and energetic dancing in New York’s seedy underground provided the unique atmosphere for an influential movement that was bubbling up in the shadow of hip hop.

Filmed in New York City and Kingston, Jamaica under the supervision of Shaggy, and complemented by the safeguarded VHS tapes from notorious videographers of the times, this film satisfies the need for documentation of stories about the remarkable rise of the most under acknowledged music genre and its ever-present influence on a younger generation of Caribbean-Americans, said the review.

Jamaican international superstar Shaggy, executive producer of “Bad Like Brooklyn Dancehall” gave Caribbean Life a shoutout on the red carpet of the premiere of his film to a sold out crowd at the Tribeca Festival in Manhattan. Photo by Tangerine Clarke

Shaggy, during an exclusive interview with Caribbean Life on the red carpet, said he was proud of the documentary, noting that he wanted to bring it to an audience because it’s a story that has never been told.

“People don’t know how successful artists of dancehall music have been, and the journey and what took place, but when they see the documentary, they will have an ahha moment, he said adding, “other people think these records were made in Jamaica, but many of the dancehall artists made music in New York and went back to Jamaica. This really tells the story of the key players who worked to take dancehall music into the mainstream media, said Shaggy.”

Responding to the news that the premiere viewing was sold out, Shaggy replied, “I got involved because based on the story, I knew there was something there that was appealing so it didn’t surprise me that it was sold out, and it would attract an audience, to be honest with you, mused the Mr. Boombastic singer.

The “It wasn’t me” artist, said the film took over three years to produce, working with a team that included Amy DiGiacomo, Jay Will, and others filming in Jamaica and New York. I am very proud of it, repeated the superstar Jamaican dancehall rapper, whose, single, “Go Down Deh” with Sean Paul and Spice, have become a chart topper.

Fans throughout the 90-minute film, were heard laughing, singing, applauding, and even talking back to the screen as their favorite artists tell stories of their rise to fame on the streets of the two cities where they lived.

Immediately after the film ended and Shaggy emerged onto the stage, loud applause erupted. Cell phone cameras were then raised to capture the memorable moment when the superstar thanked fans for viewing the flick.

Excited fans sang and danced to Jamaican dancehall music as artists, Red Fox, Ding Dong, Screechy Dan performed on stage at the Indeed Theater at Spring Studios after the premier of “Bad Like Brooklyn Dancehall” documentary, produced by Shaggy.  Photo by Tangerine Clarke

He then commanded the audience to its feet, to welcome Screechy Dan, Red Fox and backup dancers who swarmed the stage singing “Pum, Pum Shorts.” They continued their exciting set, while calling for Shaggy to become a national hero, much to the delight of the crowd.

The entertainment continued with dancehall musician, with fans waving cigarette lighters in the air as Ding Dong, and a posse sang popular songs, for some 30 minutes. Shaggy then took to the stage with favorites, “It wasn’t Me”, Mr. Boombastic, “Go Down Deh” and others, for a thrilling end to the afternoon of dancehall music.

The film crew are, Co-Directors/ Cinematographer/editor/producer, Ben DiGiacomo, Co-Director Dutty Vannier, Producers, Ramfis Myrthill, Producer, AJ Leon, Executive Producers, James Cole Jr. Leo Matchett, and Mike Musante.

The cast included, Shaggy, Grammy-Award dancehall singer, Sean Paul, Ricky Blaze, Bobby Konders, Future Fambo, Ding Dong, Red Fox, Babyface a.k.a Lionface, Screechy Dan, and Kurt Ali. Others are Joe Lubin, film production, Carleene Samuels film team, and Anita Murneiks, film production.

The next in-person showing of “Bad like Brooklyn Dancehall,” is June 15. Visit – https://tribecafilm.com/films/bad-like-brooklyn-dancehall-2023 for more information.