Out Deh Red Bull film review

It is common knowledge that adversity is not confined to race, class, gender or creed. So, for anyone to – not only aspire but – strive in life; it would mean that several obstacles would have to be overcome in order to achieve any level of success irrespective of background. This film – presented by Red Bull – Out Deh shows the path to success for three young men with the city of Kingston, Jamaica, as the backdrop. Kingston, in addition to being the capital, is the main city of commerce on the island. This means that many of its inhabitants are transplants from other parts of the island and with that experience the added social issues which overpopulation can bring.

BakerSteez, Romar and Shama all highlight their journeys in spite of their personal varying adverse circumstances in Out Deh and the film’s director Louis Josek framed the each of these young men’s lives as tutorials to inspire viewers to live their lives to the fullest especially now as most of the world’s population search for renewed purpose in the shadow of the Covid -19 pandemic. BakerSteez, has aspirations of being Jamaica’s first notable trap rapper, quite against the grain as while a Jamaican, DJ Kool Herc, is credited with the creation of hip hop artform which in turn birthed rap music; Jamaica have never had a superstar rap artist based on the island. Most of the music expected, and encouraged, to come from the island are the tried and true sounds of reggae and dancehall; those genres have been, for decades, the pathways towards musical viability and relevance for Jamaican acts.

One of Kingston’s most famous garrison/ghetto Tivoli Gardens is home to many different types of people with many differing motivations. Young resident Romar is aiming to not only make it out of Tivoli but to do in a way that would uplift the community and inspire the youths coming up after him. And Shama, Jamaica’s first professional skateboarder/surfer; quite the different career arc for the normally conservative Jamaican family to support. Shama has the unenviable task of changing societal views on his lifestyle and nurturing his undeniable talent for markets not necessarily familiar with his look nor his ways of expressing himself.

These three stories frame Out Deh quite interestingly, with the common factor behind these young men was their belief in themselves and their support base. The film literally begins with Shama, innocently hitchhiking a ride to the beach, not the common practice in Jamaica but it was something he could do because the most residents of his community are aware of who he is and just as importantly what he represents. BakerSteez leans heavily on his friends and key members of his family to keep his focus on what he is trying to achieve in music. The film chronicles BakerSteez going to Japan on tour for the first time, a key representation of the natural progression of three of the pivotal stages of all artistes’ musical career. Beginning when they hear their song being played on the radio for the first time, continuing when they take the stage to perform a set for the first time and finally when these artistes travel overseas to perform for the first time. For BakerSteez, having his support being around for these important milestones was helpful as they would allow him the chance to celebrate with the people who believed in his work from its nascent stages. As for Romar, he spoke constantly about the importance of the community and his friends to his vision of self-preservation. That cocoon of love and care will be essential for Romar as he makes the steps, he needs in order to develop, even if means ultimately leaving Tivoli – the place he holds so dear – for new locale. Out Deh is a good film for those interested in understanding some of variances of living in Jamaica as a young man and the positivity and drive it takes to get through day by day.