Idris & Sabrina Elba Team with Supercollider

Supercollider, part of Zinc Media, is working with Idris Elba’s Green Door Pictures and Sabrina Elba’s Pink Towel for a doc series that explores the extent of the historical injustice suffered by the music industry’s Black artists.

Paid In Full: The Battle for Payback (w.t.) examines the exploitation of Black artists by the music industry and explores what it would look like for Black artists to receive reparations. Produced in association with Catalyst, the project was commissioned by public broadcasters CBC and BBC.

The 3×1-hour piece is funded and co-produced by a partnership between Abacus Media Rights (AMR) and Media Musketeers Studios, with AMR distributing internationally.

It features contributions from MK Asante Jr., best-selling author, rapper, award-winning filmmaker and professor, and Lawrence Lartey, director of Innovation, Industry and Enterprise at Ravensbourne University London.

Tanya Shaw, managing director at Zinc Television, 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.

“Whether it is getting exclusive access to legendary music venues like Berlin’s Hansa Studios or talent such as New Order, the team at Supercollider is second-to-none in creating programming that truly understands the music industry. We are thrilled to be working with Idris and Sabrina Elba and the team at Green Door to help bring this important subject to light.”

Idris Elba, CEO of Green Door, added: “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.”

Jonathan Ford, managing director of Abacus Media Rights, commented: “Funding and co-producing series such as this is an important part of AMR and Amcomri Entertainment’s remit, and highlights our commitment to getting strong projects greenlit. We were extremely keen to be part of this incredible production, which will bring much-needed focus to a topic that requires attention from the industry and the public. We’re certain the excellent teams at Supercollider, Green Door and Catalyst will combine to do the subject justice.”

Sebastien Janin, managing partner at Media Musketeers Studios, said: “We are thrilled to be co-financing and co-producing this landmark project. The subject matter is hugely important and deserves to be in the spotlight. Working with such a talented production and distribution team will ensure the series reaches the widest possible audience.”

Jennifer Dettman, executive director of unscripted content at CBC, added: “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.”