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The film accompanies the duo’s new studio albums ‘Unhappy Hour’ and ‘Last Call.’
Rapper Starlito and Bandplay showcase aspects of Nashville that fall outside of country tropes and cliches with Not The Country You Know, a short film and companion piece to the duo’s collaborative studio albums.
Shot by Willie C. Robinson and edited by Kevin “Zips” Zulueta, the 12:40 mini-doc finds Starlito taking viewers on a tour of the historic city’s beloved monuments and local Black businesses, with glimpses into the recording sessions for Not The Country You Know: Unhappy Hour and Not The Country You Know: Last Call.
“Surface level, the postcard of Nashville you get is a guy with a guitar on it,” the proud native says of his city’s reputation and his desire to broaden those horizons. “It’s Grand Ole Opry, it’s Music Row, [it’s] Broadway. That’s a big part of it. That’s the lifeline of it, but it’s more to it. It’s more than what meets the eye.”
While cruising through his hometown, the lyricist sheds light on Nashville’s rich culture and heritage, including its role as the home of the Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company, the oldest African-American bank in America.
Evan Mattingly
Along his travels, Starlito introduces us to various Black business owners within Nashville’s community, including Alkebu-Lan Images, Ed’s Fish House, Dukos and Makeshift, and Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria. Other local Nashville haunts visited in the doc are The Loading Dock Cafe, Meridian Street Café & Bar, and Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack South.
Footage of Starlito and Bandplay creating their Not The Country You Know albums is littered throughout the film, including sessions for the songs “Walk Away,” “How You Wanna Play,” “Is You Cool,” “Always Something,” “Plant A Seed,” “Am I Wrong,” and the title track.
Not The Country You Know contributors Young Buck, Grady “Dirty” Block, Robin Raynelle, and Chano also appear throughout the film.
Listen to Not The Country You Know: Unhappy Hour and Not The Country You Know: Last Call below.
