PAID IN FULL: THE BATTLE FOR BLACK MUSIC

With Executive Producers that include Idris and Sabrina Elba, the series documents the extent of the historic injustice suffered by 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.

Joining the dots between earlier decades in the story of the music industry, from jazz and rock and roll to soul and rap, the series will also look at racial inequality in the music industry both today and in the past.

Paid in Full: The Battle for Black Music brings viewers all the way up to the present day, documenting the current state of play and spotlights those who are fighting for change.

The series features contributions from legendary performers such as Smokey Robinson, Gloria Gaynor, Chaka Khan and Nile Rogers.

Also contributing as expert consultants are: MK Asante Jr, bestselling author, rapper, award-winning filmmaker; Lawrence Lartey, who works with the Obama Foundation on their My Brother’s Keeper initiative; and Professor Kevin J. Greene, one of the first legal scholars to examine the treatment of African American music.

CBC version is narrated by Jully Black, Canada’s Queen of R&B. Known internationally for her hits including 7 Day Fool.

International version is narrated by British actress and playwright Zawe Ashton (Fresh Meat). 

EPISODE 1 – WHO STOLE THE SOUL?
This episode reveals how some of the most legendary black musical artists of all time  have been exploited by the recording industry from its earliest days

EPISODE 2:  A CHANGE IS GONNA COME
This episode charts the failures and triumphs of black owned and run record labels, including Motown, Stax, Def Jam and Roc-A-Fella, as they battled a hostile industry. 

EPISODE 3:  THE ARTIST STRIKES BACK
This episode shows how the digital revolution has inspired black artists to go it alone and bypass the major record labels entirely, but at what cost? 

PRESS FEATURES

Idris Elba on CBC's The Current with Matt Galloway

Jully Black on CBC's The Block with Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe

CBC -  A new documentary examines how the music industry exploits Black artists

CBC - Docuseries Paid in Full exposes history of racism, exploitative contracts in music industry

CBC - Jully Black narrates new series about Black artists fighting for fair pay in the music industry

CBC - 'It's systemic': Jully Black reflects on racial injustice in the music industry

GLOBAL NEWS - Jully Black on Black musicians & overcoming barriers

CBC - The music industry has exploited Black artists since its inception — and the call for reparations is growing

EVERYTHING ZOOMER - ‘Paid in Full’ Doc Explores How the Music Industry Took Advantage of Generations of Black Artists

Cadence Weapon and MK Asante - CBC's Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud