Executive Producers Alvin Singh and DJ Spooky Present: “The Leadbelly Project” – “Lead Belly: The Man Who Invented Rock & Roll” – Official Documentary Illuminates a Musical Legacy Forged in American History

Nashville, TN/New York, NY –

“Lead Belly: A The Man Who Invented Rock & Roll,” a forthcoming documentary from Executive Producers Alvin Singh (Lead Belly’s grandson) and DJ Spooky (in production 2025), unveils the extraordinary life of Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter, situating his musical genius within the turbulent arc of American history. This full-length film traverses the landscape of racial tensions from the Reconstruction era, through the rise of Jim Crow, to the burgeoning cultural shifts of the mid-20th century and beyond – this film illuminates how his music became a powerful chronicle of resistance and resilience.

Through intimate interviews with Lead Belly’s niece, Tiny Robinson, and a constellation of luminaries including Pete Seeger, Harry Belafonte, Arlo Guthrie, Odetta, Joan Baez, Tom Jones, Paul McCartney, Alan Lomax, and others, the documentary meticulously charts Lead Belly’s journey.  It highlights his pivotal role in shaping the bedrock of American musical genres like blues, folk, hip hop, and rock and roll, influences that resonate through the works of iconic artists and bands like Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Nas, Beyoncé, Leonard Bernstein, The White Stripes, Taj Mahal, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Carolina Chocolate Drops, RZA, Patti Smith, and many more.

Like other vital music documentaries such as “Amazing Grace” on Aretha Franklin and “Summer of Soul,” by Questlove, “Lead Belly: A The Man Who Invented Rock & Roll” transcends biography. It reveals how Lead Belly’s music became a conduit for the African American experience, showcasing resilience against systemic racism.

The Leadbelly Project film confronts the stark realities of Lead Belly’s life within the oppressive framework of Jim Crow America. It explores his performances in segregated venues, his incarcerations in notorious prison farms—where the brutal “convict lease” system mirrored post-slavery exploitation—and his eventual rise to international prominence, including his performances at Carnegie Hall. The documentary contextualizes these experiences, drawing parallels to the broader historical forces that shaped African American life in the early 20th century, including the Great Migration and the nascent civil rights movement.

“Lead Belly: A The Man Who Invented Rock & Roll” transcends biographical account. It examines how Lead Belly’s music became a vital conduit for the African American experience, embodying both the anguish and resilience of a people navigating a society rife with systemic racism. By weaving together rare archival footage, evocative animations, and compelling interviews, the film unearths the enduring legacy of Lead Belly’s music and its continued relevance in 21st century global culture.

This compelling documentary, crafted through the unique perspectives of DJ Spooky and Alvin Singh, offers a profound exploration of a musical pioneer and the historical context that shaped his art. It is an essential viewing experience for music aficionados, history enthusiasts, and those seeking a deeper understanding of the transformative power of art within a landscape of social change.

Executive Producers

Alvin Singh & Paul Miller aka DJ Spooky

Alvin Singh is the lead archivist for the Lead Belly estate, looking over thousands of historical items from receipts, letters, concert flyers, pictures and records. While working on a full-length documentary about Lead Belly, he talked with music legends such as Pete Seeger, Odetta, Harry Belafonte, Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez, B B King and many more. Alvin is also a DJ, and entrepreneur who has worked with a Fortune 500 company, as well as with non-profits and small businesses. He serves as an advisor to technology start-ups and has developed multiple mobile applications. He is the author of Manage Your Web: Methods to Make Your Digital Life Easier, Productive and Profitable, and Freedom Papers. His work includes discovering productivity hacks that assist businesses when discovering their core customer base. He has spoken at conferences, diversity summits, SXSW Interactive, museums, and the Library of Congress.

Paul D. Miller aka DJ Spooky is currently at work on two books – one about the impact of algorithms on how we think of storytelling – Digital Fiction for Duke University Press, and The Future of Food, about the impact of AI on how we think of the production of food in the 21st Century. He was Artist in Residence at Yale University Center for Collaborative Arts and Media (2023-2024). He is a composer, multimedia artist, and writer whose work engages audiences in a blend of genres, global culture, and environmental and social issues. Miller has collaborated with an array of recording artists, including Ryuichi Sakamoto, Metallica, Chuck D from Public Enemy, Steve Reich, and Yoko Ono amongst many others. His 2018 album, DJ Spooky Presents: Phantom Dancehall, debuted at #3 on Billboard Reggae.
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