Creative motivation can often times come from the most unexpected sources during the most surprising times. That’s usually the case in the music industry, as can be seen with the junkanoo-inspired Bahamian band, The Baha Men, and their hit 2000 single, ‘Who Let the Dogs Out.’ The stunning and unique origin story of the Grammy Award-winning track for Best Dance Recording is highlighted in a new documentary, which has the same name as the popular tune.
In honor of the film having its World Premiere this afternoon in the 24 Beats Per Second section of at SXSW, ShockYa is premiering an exclusive clip from the movie. After ‘Who Let the Dogs Out’ debuts at 2pm CT at Alamo Lamar D in Austin, the festival will also screen the documentary this Tuesday, March 12 at 11:30am CT at the ZACH Theatre, as well as on Wednesday, March 13 at 10:15pm CT at Alamo Ritz 1.
The clip features Steve Greenburg, a producer at S-Curve Records, as he discloses that the label was specifically created to release ‘Who Let the Dogs Out?’ The record executive is revealed to have a natural ability to determine what types of songs will become a success in the mainstream media.
Greenburg decided to give the new version of the song to the Baha Men, but Isaiah Taylor, the leader of the group, initially denied the offer. The musician noted the tune was already a hit single for the band Anslem Douglas, after it was written for the 1998 Trinidad and Tobago Carnival season. But Greenburg assured the singer that no one outside of the Caribbean knew about ‘Who Let the Dogs Out?,’ and guaranteed that it would become the hit Soca calypso-infused sensation that it is today.
The film was directed by Brent Hodgem. In addition to Taylor and Greenberg, ‘Who Let the Dogs Out’ also features Ben Sisto, Jonathan King, Keith Wainwright, Anslem Douglas, Gregg Greene, Lita Rosario, Joe Gonzalez and Brett Hammock.
The following synopsis has been released for the movie:
‘Who Let the Dogs Out’ is a song that has transcended generations, and has led Ben Sisto to dedicate eight years exploring and exposing a story steeped in show business, legal battles, female empowerment, artistic integrity and one very catchy hook. The documentary follows Sisto on his popular live talks across the world that explain the story of ‘Who Let The Dogs Out,’ which is accompanied by a museum of over 250 pieces of ephemera relating to the song and its origins. Sisto’s thesis to his life’s work: the idea that everything is based on prior art, and everything is source material for future art. It’s from this mantra that the dogs were let out, and we are here to explore who did it.
ShockYa is debuting an exclusive clip from director Brent Hodge's musical documentary, 'Who Let the Dogs Out,' which explores the origin story of the Baha Men's hit song of the same name.