Idris Elba Set to Produce Docuseries on Exploitation of Black Artists in the Music Industry
Idris Elba | Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
By: Omar Cook
Today on May 22, Idris Elba and his wife, Sabrina Elba, announce a partnership with BBC and CBC to produce "Paid in Full: The Battle for Payback." This compelling three-part docuseries aims to delve into the exploitative practices that have plagued Black artists within the music industry, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
“This is a story that touches all of us. It’s about the people who created the soundtracks of our lives in popular music and the pain of their exploitation. It’s also about bringing the music industry to account for the injustice inflicted on generations of musical talents who have been deprived of their rightful rewards both financially and in terms of status and respect. At the heart of it is the need to make amends — granting acknowledgment and paying back what is due.” Idris said in a statement.
The series will be produced by his production company, Green Door, in collaboration with Zinc Media's production label, Supercollider, and Canadian independent producer, Catalyst.
Green Door, the production company led by Idris Elba, has an impressive track record in scripted TV credits. They have worked on notable projects such as "Hijack" for Apple TV+, the Sky One comedy series "In the Long Run" created by and featuring Elba, and the Netflix comedy "Turn Up Charlie," a co-production with Brown Eyed Boy that was co-created by Elba and also stars him in a leading role.
Tanya Shaw, who serves as the managing director of Zinc Television, spoke more on what Idris is looking to accomplish.
“Far from being a straight music documentary, this series will explore the music industry within a racial context and reflect the history of exploitation within the industry. It will also major in on conversations of structural racism and those who have worked so hard to expose them,” she stated.
Jennifer Dettman, who serves as executive director of unscripted content at CBC, also shared her thoughts on how the series can impact the audience in Canada.
“We look forward to sharing this important series with audiences in Canada, offering a necessary and in-depth exploration of the structural racism inherent in the music industry and its impact over the decades,” she said.
There has been no official date for the production or release just yet but this is a an exciting production for artists around the world as Idris is shining a light on the negative aspects of the industry that has plagued many artists previously.
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