Paramount On Screen: Dave Chappelle’s Block Party [R]

Dave Chappelle presents a Brooklyn neighborhood with its very own once-in-a-lifetime free block party. In addition to Chappelle, the roster of artists includes Kanye West, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, Dead Prez, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, the Roots, Cody ChesnuTT, Big Daddy Kane, and — reunited for their first performance in over seven years — the Fugees. Includes private rehearsal footage and Chappelle in the small Ohio town he calls home, where he wanders through town handing out golden tickets to invite several dozen citizens to join the party, providing transportation and lodging for their visit to Brooklyn. Ohio’s Central State University marching band makes the trip and kicks off the festivities at the intersection of Quincy and Downing Streets. A diverse crowd and Chappelle’s freestyle wit guides them (and us) through a celebration of music and comedy, history and community.

Image credit: Universal

Did you know?

• Concertgoers had to register on-line, then were told to meet at a secret location in the Chinatown section of Manhattan. From there, they were bussed to the concert location, which was also kept secret. The majority of the acts that would be appearing were also kept secret from the concertgoers. Admission to the concert was free.
• This was the first time Fugees (Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill, Pras Michel) performed together in seven years.
• The actual concert was shot on Downing Street in Brooklyn, NY on September 18, 2004. The scenes in Ohio leading up to the concert were shot three days in advance.