This Documentary Highlights Resilience & Hope in Philadelphia Despite Gun Violence with Inspirational Hip-Hop Soundtrack Out on Shanachie Entertainment December 1st
Soundtrack Features Jill Scott, Beam, Da’ T.R.U.T.H, Canon, YungDave67 & More!
Soundtrack for the award-winning documentary “Bad Things Happen In Philadelphia” from producer/director Kyra Knox and executive produced by Basketball Hall of Famer Allen Iverson. The film highlights the resilience and hope in Philadelphia in the face of gun violence in the city. Shining a light on the young lives impacted by gun violence and the incredible work of Garry Mills and his organization, Shoot Baskets Not People. “Bad Things Happen In Philadelphia,” is a testament to the power of community and the human spirit. Film premieres on Fox Soul and Prime Video 12/2/23. The film’s riveting soundtrack is released on Shanachie Entertainment on 12/1/23. The soundtrack features Jill Scott, Beam, Da’ T.R.U.T.H. and others, and is executive produced by Stellar Award-Winning Producer Gabe Johnson, Cleon Lockett, Jerry Cox, Mark Mims and Naquis Brabham of Home Studios who also mixed and mastered the album.
InspirationalHipHopRelease date:11 October 2023
Despite the challenges of gun violence, Philadelphia is a city of resilience and hope. The award-winning film, Bad Things Happen In Philadelphia directed and produced by Kyra Knox tells the stories of those affected by gun violence, especially young people, as well as the grassroots efforts that are fighting back. With NBA legend Allen Iverson along with his childhood friends Cleon Lockett and Paul Taylor, Knox’s film is a testament to the power of community and the human spirit. Advance showings of the film at several film festivals have resulted in multiple awards. The film will make its national broadcast premiere on Fox Soul and Prime Video December 2, 2023. The soundtrack album featuring such artists as Da’T.R.U.T.H., Jill Scott, Beam, Canon and YungDave67 among others, will be released by Shanachie Entertainment on December 1, 2023. The albums first two singles are available everywhere now: “Legacy,” featuring Da’ T.R.U.T.H., Jill Scott, Greg Cox and Adam Blackstone, and “Make It Out” featuring Canon. The soundtrack is executive produced by Stellar Award-Winning Producer Gabe Johnson, Cleon Lockett, Jerry Cox, Mark Mims and Naquis Brabham of Home Studios who also mixed and mastered the album.
The impetus for the film came from witnessing the impact of violence on friends, family, and neighbors by director Knox, as well as the inspiring work her cousin Garry Mills is doing through his non-profit, Shoot Basketballs Not People.
“Whenever we hear people talk about gun violence, you never hear it from a teen’s perspective,” notes Knox. “It was important for me to get their thoughts.”
Knox was connected to Grammy-nominated producer Mark Mims of Home Studios, through a friend. “Mark said to trust him and don’t crowd-source; he would get me funding,” Knox explains. Knox and Mims began a partnership and were able to garner funding.
As the project evolved, they were able to enlist NBA legend Allen Iverson to sign on as executive producer, thanks to his childhood friends Cleon Lockett and Paul Taylor. “When I saw the opportunity to make a difference, being part of this project with friends and a city I love, I wanted in,” Iverson says, “to make a real change in our communities.”
Over the course of three years, the film was completed and enjoyed a successful festival run, including its world premiere at The American Black Film Festival. It went on to score numerous awards, including “Audience Choice Award” and “Best Local Feature Award” at the Philadelphia Film Festival, “Outstanding Feature Documentary” at the Micheaux Film Festival, and “Best Feature Documentary Award” and “Tubman Award: Activism Through Art” at the Hip Hop Film Festival. In a major milestone, the film secured its first license deal with Fox Soul, securing national broadcast beginning December 2, 2023.
(Pic-Knox, Mims+YungDave67 on set of Good Day Philadelphia)
The soundtrack album featuring such artists as 2024 GRAMMY Nominee Emanuel (Da’T.R.U.T.H.), Philadelphia legend Jill Scott, Afrobeats star Beam, Canon, Dove Award winning artist and half of Social Club Misfits’, Fern and David King (YungDave67) among others, will be released by Shanachie Entertainment on December 1, 2023. The albums first two singles are available everywhere now: “Legacy,” featuring Da’ T.R.U.T.H., Jill Scott, Greg Cox and Adam Blackstone, and “Make It Out” featuring Canon. The soundtrack is executive produced by Stellar Award-Winning Producer Gabe Johnson, Cleon Lockett, Jerry Cox, Mark Mims and Naquis Brabham of Home Studios who also mixed and mastered the album.
Bad Things Happen In Philadelphia, flips the script on Donald Trump’s disparaging characterization of the city, by showcasing the people and artists who are positive forces in the face of challenging violence. Garry Mills, who for several years has been mentoring young people in the community through the programs of Shoot Basketballs Not People, based in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, puts it very directly:
“Less Excuses. More Adjustments. This film is a reflection of the commitment to making dark inner-city communities bright again and displays my GOD-given gift to uplift and be a guardian angel to the youth.”
