Film
The Story of Lovers Rock
Virtual
Dir. Menelik Shabazz | 2011, 96min
Often dubbed “romantic reggae,” lovers rock is a uniquely Black British sound that developed in the late 70s and 80s against a backdrop of riots and racial tension. Through interviews, comedy, live performance, dance, and archive footage, pioneering filmmaker Menelik Shabazz traces the music from its south London origins to its success in Japan and evolution into a global brand—as well as its lack of mainstream success in the UK. At the same time, The Story of Lovers Rock crafts a vivid portrait of the underground scene that surrounded the music: the intimate dance, the sound systems, and the volatility of the times.
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