Rise Up - Stories From Jamaica's Music Underground

On an island where reggae is considered the voice of the people and an outlet for survival, RiseUp follows three aspiring artists who seek to “rise up” from obscurity for their chance at success. This documentary is unlike any documentary about Jamaica as it takes the viewer off the beaten path far from any tourist attractions and sandy beaches yet still able to capture the beauty and magic that the Irie has to offer. From the deep countryside to the whirlwind ghettos of Kingston, no matter where you are, the film makes it evident that reggae music is the heartbeat of the culture. In a society where talent abounds and opportunity is scarce, RiseUp follows the very different lives of three artists struggling in their own unique way for their big break at stardom. Turbulence, the conscious ghetto youth with enough determination to move mountains; Ice, the young faux-gangster dancehall artist from the upper class; and Kemoy, the beautifully innocent country girl who barely realizes her amazing vocal gifts… all come together as the film seamlessly interweaves their lives behind the backdrop of the bustling underground reggae scene of Jamaica.