Escaping Babylon
A month since the book's release and a new short film
Last year, on June 7th, I released a short film, The Dance Begins At Home, an archival montage piece that explored the evolution of Black male performance over forty years. The film, also accompanied by an EP, Before Babylon Arrives, took its title from a series of chapters in my debut book, Escaping Babylon: An Intimate History of Black British Music (available to buy now).
At first, I found it difficult to explain the concept of the film and EP without giving too much of the book away. It was a slow build, and it’s only now that the book is out that I feel people will begin to see a through line that connects the film, EP and book.
I’m still processing what has been an all-consuming but nourishing experience. For so long, the questions had usually been a variation of when’s the book coming? Now, most of the questions have been about how I feel. A decade-long writing project can’t be summarised in a sentence, so my answer has mostly been, I’m still processing it all. That is as true today as it was on May 7th when the book was released. Not to mention that my football club Arsenal won its first league title in 22 years a few weeks ago, and you can imagine, May was largely an extended celebration.
Now, I’m experiencing what feels like an emotional comedown but I’ll keep milking the moment for as long as I can because the book deserves a long run, especially after so many years have been poured into it.
A month since Escaping Babylon’s release, I’m proud to share the trailer (below) for the extended version of The Dance Begins At Home: Ball Is Life, featuring new exclusive footage.
While the film still explores the evolution of Black male performance on camera, this version expands on the concept by emphasising the role that basketball and sport have played in wider contemporary Black pop culture.
Each piece sits within the wider Babylon series I’ve been building, and while the book is clearly the flagship body of work, one cannot exist without the other.
The full updated film will be available to watch later this year, and there is still more to come in the wider Babylon series, which I see as a trilogy. For now, enjoy these offerings.
A quick note before I leave, but just wanted to extend the warmest gratitude and thanks to everyone who has supported the book so far, not least the team at Profile Books, my family, girlfriend, friends, acquaintances, colleagues, writers, venues, hosts, moderators and of course, my readers.
Listen back to my interview with Jamz Supernova Off Air on BBC 6Music here.
Buy - Escaping Babylon: An Intimate History of Black British Music
Watch - The Dance Begins At Home
Listen - Before Babylon Arrives
Escaping Babylon book tour here with more dates to be announced later this year:
