Idris Elba’s Docuseries Will Focus On Mistreatment Of Black Artists

Idris Elba’s latest venture will document Black artists’ experience in the music industry. Per Variety, Paid in Full: The Battle for Payback (w/t) is set to “examine the exploitation of Black artists by the music industry and explores what it would look like for Black artists to receive reparations.” It will also unveil 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. The series will also look at racial inequality in the music industry both today and in the past.”

He will be producing this docuseries alongside his wife Sabrina Dhowre Elba, whom he married in 2019. The actor explained the importance of the docuseries. “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.”

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While Idris is known for his acting, he also is a musical artist. The Luther star is a popular DJ known as “Big Driis” and performed a set at Coachella last month. The series is commissioned by CBC and the BBC. It is also funded and co-produced by a partnership between Abacus Media Rights (AMR) and Media Musketeers Studios. AMR will be distributing internationally.

Tanya Shaw, managing director, Zinc Television who partnered with Idris’ Green Door, said: “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.”

A premiere date has not been set.

The Best Hip-Hop and R&B Songs Of April 2023, Ranked

• 10. "Da Girls" (Remix) - Ciara ft. Lola Brooke and Lady London

  Ciara enlisted Lola Brooke and Lady London for the remix of “Da Girls.” This was the first time all three artists linked up on a record. “Lola and Lady London are special,” Ciara said about the two rising emcees per RatedRNB. “They each bring a unique star quality to everything they do. From the tone of their voices to the fire verses, they spoke life into this record for all da girls around the world.”

• 9. "Give It To Me" - Miguel

  Miguel is back with a new single titled “Give It To Me.” The R&B artist has not released a full-length project since 2017’s War & Leisure. His last project was his 2021 EP Art Dealer Chic Vol. 4. However, his 2010 single “Sure Thing,” went viral on TikTok this year and currently sits at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100.

• 8. "Chemical" - Post Malone

  Post Malone dropped his first song of 2023 with “Chemical.” The New York native just finished touring last year in support of his 2022 LP Twelve Carat Toothache. “Chemical” is different from the artist’s usual sound as it has upbeat pop-rock elements introduced. The new record will act as the lead single to the rapper’s upcoming fifth studio album.

• 7. "Alone" - Kim Petras ft. Nicki Minaj

  Nicki Minaj joined Kim Petras for “Alone” marking their first collaboration together. For Nicki, this follows her feature on Ice Spice’s “Princess Diana.” “Alone” is Petras’ second single of 2023 following her record “brrr” which was released in January.

• 6. "Double Fantasy" - The Weeknd ft. Future

  For The Weeknd’s upcoming HBO drama The Idol, he and Future linked up to create “Double Fantasy.” The Weeknd performed it for the first time during Metro Boomin’s Coachella set. “Double Fantasy” marks The Weeknd and Future’s fifth collaboration after the two first came together as featured artists on producer Mike WiLL Made-It‘s 2015 single “Drinks on Us,” which also featured Swae Lee.

• 5. "Kill Bill" Remix - SZA ft. Doja Cat

  Doja Cat hopped on SZA’s SOS hit “Kill Bill” making it her first 2023 appearance. The two previously collaborated on the Grammy-winning “Kiss Me More.” SZA earned her first No. 1 Billboard hit with the original “Kill Bill” this month.

• 4. "Empire State Of Mind" Remix - Jay-Z

  Jay-Z remixed his 2009 hit “Empire State of Mind.” The hip-hop icon performed the remixed version in Paris at the Louis Vuitton Foundation to mark the opening of the “Basquiat x Warhol. Painting Four Hands” exhibition. The new version has been officially released which features Gil Scott-Heron’s iconic I’m New Here song “New York Is Killing Me.” The original “Empire State Of Mind” features Alicia Keys. The song was nominated for three awards but won Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Best Rap Song at the 53rd Grammy Awards ceremony. The song was originally on Jay’s The Blueprint 3.

• 3. "Put It On Da Floor" - Latto

  Latto dropped “Put It On Da Floor” in April which fueled a beef between her and Coi Leray. The two later made amends but it ended working in the Atlanta native’s favor as she scored her first No. 1 on the Hot Trending Songs chart.

• 2. "Search & Rescue" - Drake

  Drake dropped his first solo song of 2023 titled “Search & Rescue.” He infamously sampled Kim Kardashian on the record from her Hulu reality show The Kardashians. “Search & Rescue” debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

• 1. "Princess Diana" Remix - Ice Spice ft. Nicki Minaj

  The People’s Princess and the Queen linked up for a remix of the Bronx native’s “Princess Diana.” The “Princess Diana” remix debuted at No.1 on this week’s Digital Song Sales chart making it Ice Spice’s first and Nicki’s 14th No.1 hit. The song debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.