Opening at the Showroom this Friday, Rebel Dread is the story of Don Letts, a first-generation Black British cultural mover and shaker, filmmaker, musician, DJ and crucial figure in punk rock.   

Don Letts was born in 1950s Brixton, into a cross-section of two radically explosive cultures; the desperate post-war climate of working-class Britain and the Jamaican roots culture of his parents. He came to notoriety in the late ‘70s as the DJ that singlehandedly turned a whole generation of Punks onto reggae. Since then, his name has become synonymous with counterculture and rebellion, earning him the nickname the ‘Rebel Dread’. Framing his story within the 1968 Enoch Powell ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech and the 2018 ‘hostile environment’ immigration policy, Rebel Dread is an enthralling look at the life of this trailblazing cultural icon. It is a true testament to his enduring legacy of defiance and cohesion on the cultural landscape.   

Featuring interviews with friends and collaborators – including The Clash’s Mick Jones, the Sex Pistols’ John Lydon, Jeannette Lee (Public Image Ltd) and Jazzie B (Soul II Soul), the documentary by William E. Badgley (Here to be Heard: The Story of The Slits) is interwoven with captivating footage from Letts’ first forays into filmmaking. These affectionate snippets of history capture key figures from the Punk era and explore folklore surrounding the legendary Punk club The Roxy,  where Letts was the DJ, and the infamous clothing store Acme Attractions, where he worked.  

Following his journey from the late ‘70s into the 21st century, Rebel Dread highlights the people, music and trends that inspired Letts. From Bob Marley to The Harder They Come, the film unpacks the ways in which Don Letts connected to his Jamaican roots as a first-generation Black British person growing up in the early 70s, and how these formative experiences empowered his own creative output. Featuring some of his most iconic music videos: Pass the Dutchie, London Calling, Chain Gang and more, as well as footage from his feature films, Dancehall Queen and The Punk Rock Movie, Rebel Dread goes to show that sometimes the subtlest messages can be the most powerful.   

We’re delighted to be hosting a special in-person Q&A with Don Letts on Sunday 6th March at 18:00, hosted by Chair of the Showroom Workstation Board, Brendan Moffett.   

Rebel Dread opens at the Showroom on Friday 4th March. Tickets are now on sale.

This article first featured in the Sheffield Telegraph on Thursday 03 March 2022.