Watch Rudeboy: The Story of Trojan Records

Rudeboy: The Story of Trojan Records is a feature-length documentary film that tells the story of a seminal British record label of the 60s and 70s, Trojan Records. The label was instrumental in bringing Jamaican music to a wider audience in the UK and helped to create the sound of the British skinhead and mod subcultures. The film features interviews with a range of people who were involved in the creation and promotion of Trojan Records, including producers like Bunny Lee and King Edwards the Giant, as well as artists such as Derrick Morgan and Dave Barker. Using archive footage, photographs and personal reminiscences, the film tells the story of the label from its beginnings as a small operation selling imported Jamaican 45s, to its position as one of the most influential record labels of the era.

The film starts by outlining the cultural context in which Trojan Records emerged. British society in the late 50s and early 60s was in a state of flux, with new music, fashion and youth subcultures starting to flourish. Against this backdrop, Trojan Records arrived on the scene, bringing with it the distinctive sound of Jamaican music, including ska, rocksteady and reggae.

The film explains how Trojan Records worked, with the label sourcing and releasing music from Jamaica, and then heavily promoting it in the UK. The company was responsible for the UK chart success of a number of Jamaican artists, including Desmond Dekker, Jimmy Cliff and The Maytals.

However, the film also explores some of the challenges that Trojan Records faced. The UK music industry was often hostile towards Jamaican music, and the label had difficulties getting airplay on mainstream radio stations. The film also examines some of the tensions within the company, including a dispute between two of the label's biggest producers, Lee Perry and Joe Gibbs.

Throughout the film, there is a strong sense of the passion and creativity that drove the people involved with Trojan Records. From the producers who scoured Jamaica for new talent, to the DJs who championed the label's releases, to the fans who danced all night to the music, the film celebrates the energy and excitement of the era.

In addition to the interviews and archive footage, the film also features performances by reggae artists who were associated with Trojan Records. These include Ken Boothe, Marcia Griffiths and Dandy Livingstone, who perform some of their biggest hits.

Overall, Rudeboy: The Story of Trojan Records is an engaging and informative documentary that sheds light on a key moment in the history of British music. The film is a celebration of the spirit of creativity and cultural fusion that drove Trojan Records, and is a must-see for fans of reggae music and British subcultures.

Rudeboy: The Story of Trojan Records is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.