In his latest feature film Move Ya Body, which premiered at Sundance, the director of Inspection tackles an important question—do the real contributors to American culture get the recognition they deserve?
‘Move Ya Body: The Birth of House’—The’ Untold Story
When music became a rebellion
There’s a powerful moment in Elegance Bratton’s brilliant documentary Move Your Body: The Birth of House when Vince Lawrence—one of the key architects of house music—recalls a bitter chapter in his life. He’s talking about the Disco Demolition Night event that turned into a massive uprising at Chicago’s Comiskey Park in 1979.
A rebellion against disco or something else?
The event was started as a publicity stunt by radio host Steve Dahl. The rule was that in exchange for a Chicago White Sox ticket, fans had to bring a disco record and blow it up in the middle of the field. But when more than 50,000 people gathered, it became more than just an event—it became a hostile rebellion against music.
Was it just against disco?
It wasn’t just a night of destroying disco music; it was a larger attack on musical styles developed by Black and Latinx communities. The event highlighted the struggle that led to the birth of house music—a sound that spoke for communities that had been ignored by the mainstream.
Bratton’s documentary not only highlights this historic moment but also shows how works like Move Your Body give new recognition to overlooked stories from history.
The struggle and rebirth from disco to house music
The 1979 disco demolition night at Comiskey Park changed the course of music history. Amid resounding chants of “Disco sucks!” 15-year-old Vince Lawrence faced racism and homophobic discrimination. The event was not just against disco but also an attempt to deny the contributions of black and queer artists. Move Ya Body: The Birth of House uncovers this overlooked story, showing how house music was born from the ashes of the rejected disco—a revolution that brought the whole world to its tune.
Move Ya Body: House Music’s Forgotten Heroes
Move Ya Body, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, is not just a documentary; it’s the untold story of house music. Through the experiences of Vince Lawrence and other legends, the film explores the roots of this revolutionary music genre. The Inspection’s director, Elegance Bratton, blends interviews, archival footage, and reenactments of events to make it not only informative but relatable.
The documentary shines when Bratton uncovers difficult aspects of history—from the 1979 Disco Demolition Night to Larry Sherman’s controversial business decisions. The film shows how house music, a powerful expression of the black and queer community, forgot its real heroes as it became a commercial sensation.
Bratton revives the roots of the genre in the same way that Afro-Punk brought the role of Black artists in punk to the fore. Move Your Body is not just the story of a musical genre but of identity, cultural heritage, and a chance to hear voices lost in history.
The Beat of Chicago: The Beginning of Move Your Body
The documentary Move Your Body begins with Lawrence’s biography and a brief history of Chicago in the 1960s and 1970s. Bratton’s intimate approach gives the film depth, keeping the audience engaged at every moment. Even when he questions stars like Lena Waithe about the genre’s impact, the story remains grounded. For Lawrence, music was not just entertainment but a salve for his loneliness. Growing up in poverty and social isolation, he learned about the civil rights movement through protest songs and political records.
Connection to music and discovery of a new world
Lawrence’s love of music was deeply rooted through his father, who would go to disco record pool meetings. The conversations with DJs and producers at these meetings helped Lawrence understand the nuances of music. He learned the answers to questions like whether a song would be a hit or not. The first time he experimented with a synthesizer, he felt new energy awaken within him. It became more than just an instrument for him, but a way to connect with the world.
The unsung heroes of Chicago house music
Bratton also spoke to other Chicago musicians like DJs Celeste Alexander and Lori Branch to enrich Lawrence’s story. Their testimonies, stories of underground parties, and vintage footage from the era paint a vivid picture of house music’s early days. Move Your Body is not just a film but an attempt to celebrate a lost musical era and its heroes.
Chicago House: From Experiment to Business
After establishing the informal and experimental beginnings of Chicago house music, Bratton reveals how the genre transformed into a business. This portion of the film is particularly interesting as it reveals the struggles associated with the commercialization of house music. Lawrence opens up about his complicated relationships with Trax Records founder Larry Sherman and Rachel Cain, the “Queen of House Music.”
Music, Credit, and Legal Battles
Trax Records has been facing serious allegations of fraud and copyright infringement, leading to lawsuits by several artists, including Lawrence and Cain. Bratton interviews Cain to provide an in-depth look at this legal battle, giving the audience a voice from both sides. This chapter of Move Your Body does not stop at house music but raises broader questions about art, credit, and compensation in America.
