NEW DOCUSERIES PAID IN FULL: THE BATTLE FOR BLACK MUSIC, EXPLORING THE HISTORY OF RACIAL INJUSTICE IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY, PREMIERES SEPTEMBER 21 ON CBC GEM AND BBC TWO
September 4, 2024 - From executive producers Idris and Sabrina Elba, alongside Greg Sanderson of Supercollider and Julie Bristow of Catalyst, for national public broadcasters CBC and BBC, a new three-part documentary series PAID IN FULL: THE BATTLE FOR BLACK MUSIC explores the systemic racism faced by Black artists in the music industry from its inception to the digital streaming age.
Despite remarkable success stories, prejudicial practices persist in the machinery of the music industry, with exploitative contracts and copyright arrangements often hindering artists' autonomy and financial reward and coming with a devastating personal cost.
The series is narrated in Canada by music icon Jully Black and features interviews with Black titans of the music industry Cadence Weapon, Chaka Khan, George Clinton, Monie Love, Nile Rodgers, Gloria Gaynor, Ice T, Master P, and Smokey Robinson, as well as music experts and industry insiders. The series is narrated in the UK by British actress and playwright Zawe Ashton.
In Canada, all episodes of PAID IN FULL: THE BATTLE FOR BLACK MUSIC will be available to stream on CBC Gem beginning Saturday, September 21.
In the UK, the first episode will air on BBC Two on Saturday, September 21 and will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer afterwards. The second and third episodes will air on Saturday, September 28.
PAID IN FULL: THE BATTLE FOR BLACK MUSIC documents the extent of the historic injustice suffered by the music industry’s Black artists, including the disparity of profits received by them, despite having created the records that have driven the fabric and culture of popular music - from jazz and rock and roll to soul and rap.
The first episode delves into the stories of trailblazing artists like Nina Simone and Billie Holiday, who used their music to challenge societal norms, and confronts the harsh realities faced by legends such as Bessie Smith, Little Richard, and Chuck Berry, who struggled for fair compensation despite their groundbreaking contributions. The second episode highlights the emergence of Black-owned labels like Motown, Stax Records, and Def Jam, which shaped the industry while facing their own challenges. Despite celebrating Black culture, these labels sometimes adopted exploitative practices reminiscent of larger, white-owned counterparts.
The series concludes by exploring the impact of streaming in the digital era. While some Black artists successfully create their own labels and stable of artists, others struggle with unfair new types of exploitative contracts and minimal compensation from streaming platforms. PAID IN FULL: THE BATTLE FOR BLACK MUSIC offers insight into the triumphs and challenges of Black artists striving for recognition, autonomy, and fair compensation—in a music industry with odds stacked against them.
Commissioned by the CBC and BBC, PAID IN FULL: THE BATTLE FOR BLACK MUSIC is produced by Supercollider, Green Door Pictures and Pink Towel in association with Catalyst. It is executive produced by Greg Sanderson for Supercollider, Julie Bristow for Catalyst, Idris Elba for Green Door Pictures, and Sabrina Elba for Pink Towel. Guy Evan is series producer and director, Alison Duke is director, Tom Pollard is producer, David Upshal is showrunner, Margot Daley is co-producer. Based on a concept originated by Roy Ackerman. For CBC, Sally Catto is General Manager, Entertainment, Factual, & Sports; Jennifer Dettman is Executive Director, Unscripted Content; Sandra Kleinfeld is Senior Director, Documentary; and Michelle McCree is Executive in Charge of Production, CBC Docs. For the BBC, the series was commissioned by BBC Head of Pop Music TV Jonathan Rothery and Commissioning Editor Rachel Davies. The series is being distributed internationally by Sphere Abacus.
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About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster. Through our mandate to inform, enlighten and entertain, we play a central role in strengthening Canadian culture. As Canada's trusted news source, we offer a uniquely Canadian perspective on news, current affairs and world affairs. Our distinctively homegrown entertainment programming draws audiences from across the country. Deeply rooted in communities, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. We also deliver content in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Punjabi and Tagalog, as well as both official languages, through Radio Canada International (RCI). We are leading the transformation to meet the needs of Canadians in a digital world.
About Catalyst
Catalyst is a mission-driven, for-profit business dedicated to catalysing the creation of commercially viable content for an underserved global market by powering women creators and investing in their ideas. Catalyst partners with women creators and producers to advance their projects from inception through to full monetisation of content. The company invests strategic, business and creative power in the best ideas, with the aim of ensuring they are realised.
About Supercollider
Supercollider is a genre-blending specialist production label, dedicated to making exhilarating documentaries, eye-popping short films, and outstanding multi-camera / live broadcasts. From London 2012 to Little Britain, Red Bull to Rooney, Sir Alex Ferguson to Dame Darcey Bussell.
The label sits alongside Zinc Media Group’s award-winning and critically acclaimed television production labels.
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Atomic: Specialising in premium specialist factual content encompassing history, science, adventure, and documentary genres.
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Brook Lapping: Known for exceptional current affairs, contemporary history, and investigative journalism.
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Rex: Producing must-watch popular factual programming and documentaries for diverse audiences.
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Red Sauce: Creating engaging factual entertainment and formats from London and regional perspectives.
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Tern TV: A multi-award-winning producer of Nations factual content, with production centres in Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Belfast.
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Bumblebee: Providing climate-conscious post-production solutions, ensuring polished finishes for all media content.
For further information, contact:
Frances Bedford, CBC PR
416-205-7673
BBC media contact
Leonie Martin
leonie.martin@bbc.co.uk
+44 7703 725 624
