B-Boy Blues Explained

Director:Jussie Smollett
Based On:B-Boy Blues by James Earl Hardy
Cinematography:Joe 'Jody' Williams
Editing:Jake Smollett
Music:Shajuan Andrews
Production Companies:Winnienoah Productions
A SuperMassive Movie
Distributor:BET+
Released: (American Black Film Festival)
Runtime:103 minutes
Country:United States
Language:English

B-Boy Blues is a 2021 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Jussie Smollett (in his feature directorial debut) and based on James Earl Hardy's (who also co-wrote the script) 1994 book about the black LGBTQ+ community in New York. The film stars Timothy Richardson and Thomas Mackie, with Landon G. Woodson, Brandee Evans, Michael Jackson Jr., Marquise Vilson, Jabari Redd, Brian Lucas, Heather B., Broderick Hunter and Ledisi.[1] It follows the relationship between Mitchell Crawford (Richardson), a 27-year old journalist, and Raheim Rivers (Mackie), a 21-year old bicycle messenger and Banjee. It was Smollett's first project after his 2019 hate crime hoax.[2] [3]

The film was premiered at the 2021 American Black Film Festival on November 3, 2021,[4] receiving nominations for Best Narrative Feature and Best Director, as well won Fan Favorite Narrative Feature Award.[5] B-Boy Blues was released by BET+ on June 9, 2022.[6] [7] At the 34th GLAAD Media Awards it received nomination for Outstanding Film – Streaming or TV.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jussie Smollett Sets Cast For Directorial Debut Film ‘B-Boy Blues’. Amanda. N'Duka. October 23, 2020.
  2. Web site: Jussie Smollett Making Feature Directorial Debut With ‘B-Boy Blues’. Anthony D'Alessandro,Amanda. N'Duka. Anthony. D'Alessandro. Amanda. N'Duka. October 14, 2020.
  3. Web site: Jussie Smollett’s Singing The ‘B-Boy Blues’ As A Warm-Up To His Trial. Bruce. Haring. November 21, 2021.
  4. Web site: The Community for Black Creativity and News - Blavity News. Blavity News & Entertainment.
  5. Web site: American Black Film Festival Culminates 25th Anniversary with Best of the ABFF Awards – A Celebration of Festival Winners – American Black Film Festival Miami. ABFF. Miami. November 30, 2021.
  6. Web site: Jussie Smollett's Directorial Debut B-Boy Blues Premieres on BET+ June 9. May 26, 2022. The Root.
  7. Web site: Jussie Smollett Finds a Home at BET+ For His Post-Scandal Directorial Debut, ‘B-Boy Blues’. Michael. Schneider. May 25, 2022.
  8. Web site: The Nominees for the 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards | GLAAD. January 27, 2023. glaad.org.