Director Kirk Lee Recalls Shelved Vybz Kartel Movie, Ventures Into Music Production

Summertime video director Kirk Lee has recalled a shelved Vybz Kartel movie.

According to the filmmaker, who is now venturing into music production, he had agreed to produce the feature-length film with the Real Bad Man deejay in 2011.  The project was put on hold after Kartel’s incarceration in September that year, and it eventually died in development.

However, Lee hasn’t given up on the project, given that the Worl’ Boss is appealing his conviction before the Privy Council in the UK.

“A future film is always possible,” he told DancehallMag.

Speaking on Kartel’s imprisonment, Lee said he believes that the singer may be innocent of the murder charges.  “Based on the interactions I’ve had with Kartel I believe he is innocent. But I am not the law, or a lawyer. Yet still, I’ve always been astonished by the respect, manners, punctuality, dedication to craft, and his professionalism,” Lee said.

Over the years, Kirk Lee built up a great reputation as the man behind the lens on videos such as Ding Dong‘s Holiday, Beenie Man and Sean Paul‘s Greatest Gallis, Popcaan‘s Only Man She Wants and Vybz Kartel’s Straight Jeans and Fitted, Benz Punany & You and Him Deh, Dumper Truck & Never Get a Gal, Coloring Book, and Summertime, which after its release, was designated an Apple iTunes and Streams award for its excellent streaming performance.

“A great music video doesn’t just bring a song to life — often, it lends the song a new one,” he said.

In 2003, Lee shot his first and so far his only feature film to date, Castle in the Sky, and the film was screened at South Africa’s film festival. He is presently in the United States, working on his next feature film idea.

“One is in the works now but I can’t speak on the details,” he said.

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Lee attended Indian River State College, and later returned to the island to establish RoadBlock! Films as his tag. His big break came when he began working with the late producer Patrick ‘Roach’ Samuels who created Lee’s debut directorial opportunity to direct U.I.M productions’ Purge Medley in 2006.

Lee has continued to work with rappers and independent artists overseas.

“My work is defined by my drive to get my imagination on screen by any means necessary. This is somewhat constrained by budgets, timelines and the reads of other people who have authority over the finished product,” he said.

“I did seven videos for Zakasi, an artist from New Jersey in August 2021. I did something for Shelly Belly the month after that. Also did work with Damand Blue, an artiste from Baltimore, represented by the label, Universal Music,” he said.

Over the years, he has been voted best director and nominated for other Caribbean awards.

Now, Kirk Lee is also a music producer, and often builds his own beats. “I have two artists signed to me currently and I am working with a third that wants to sign,” he said.