Lil Baby - “UNTRAPPED” World Premiere.

By: Smoove.

Tribeca Film Fest is a 22-year old film fest that takes place in Tribeca, New York. Tribeca Film Festival was founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosendale, and Craig Hatkoff in 2002. Post 9/11 to spark cultural rejuvenation in Lower New York. Bringing an annual celebration of film, music, and culture.

Saturday — June 11th, I was able to attend the world premiere of Lil Baby’s documentary, “Untrapped”.

Untrapped is a documentary highlighting the elevation of Dominque Jones. The man we know as Lil Baby was given the name from his peers on the street. Being the youngest on the block, holding his own, he was legit the baby. Being 14, 15 years old while holding it down with men who are 24, 25, it makes a statement.

Throughout the documentary, dating back to 2017, you see Baby from day 1 in the studio. Sitting in the studio with Marlo had to be the most heartfelt thing to see. Coming up as rising stars, together. P made sure to bring them both onto Quality Control due to the bond and the chemistry they had with one another. Ontop of Marlo pretty much getting Baby to rap.

Throughout the documentary, it is spoken about repetitively on how difficult it was to get Baby into rapping. COO of QC, Kevin 'Coach K' Lee, speaks upon the fact that Baby was never interested in being a rapper. Baby comes from the street. Being a previous drug dealer and being so respected in the street, Baby never wanted to risk his credibility. CEO of Quality Control, Pierre 'P' Thomas, spoke upon knowing Baby years before rap. Bringing up times of walking into the trap & seeing Baby in the spot handling his own. Understanding that taking a man away from everyday money to not promised rap money isnt the easiest transformation.

Young Thug holds a very important role in this documentary. Expressing his connection to Baby of them knowing each other long before rap. Making the joke of they used to swap high schools. Thug would attend Baby’s & Baby would attend Thug’s. Being Baby’s genuine friend, he wanted Jones out the street. Thug used to pay Baby to go home. Paying up to $20k at a time, he just wanted Baby safe and in his home. Experiencing the the come up of Dominique, Thug always knew that Baby was going to be “one of them ones”. Footage going back to 2017 of Thug and Baby just in the hood chillen, Thug talks about Baby always getting money by any means. Holding him accountable, Thug would let Baby know when he was doing some “dickhead” shit but Baby proceeded to get to it.

Seeing Baby from different angles in his 6 year career was touching. I personally started listening to Baby in summer of 2017. Freestyle and Yes Indeed featuring Drake was the song that looped me in. Drake making his way in the doc, speaks upon Baby truly just being that guy. Touching base on the fact that Baby is a timestamp in our generation. A force. A powerhouse. The top dawg.

UnTrapped is a documentary that gives you the insight to Lil Baby that you didn’t know you actually needed. Filled with VHS recordings from his mother displaying Baby with his siblings, just growing. Growing into the man he is, you watch Baby develop into a man. Going into corner stores, bumping into old classmates mothers, flashing to pics of baby in Middle & High school with racks of money.

One of Baby’s classmates stated how Baby was going into the 8th grade with $10k. Spread through all four of his pockets. Due to his mother being a single mother, getting evicted more than not. With 3 mouths to feed, bodies to dress, and lives to take care of. Baby became the man of the house. Making sure his mother and family was taken care of. Returning back to his neighborhood, Baby comes with sedans filled with coats for the street. Making sure everyone was warm during the fall and winter time. Understanding that this man isnt a man for the camera, isnt flashing for the light on him, legit just a caring man who has been on the other end of where he is now.

Jason, Baby’s first son makes his way into the doc being his fathers biggest fan. He talks, walks, & raps just like him. He wants to be his father. Due to that being overly expressed, Baby stays on his p’s & q’s. Being the best role model for his boys as he can be. At a point in the doc we watched Jason count $200k with his father. Dominique tells us that he makes sure he explains to his boys that not everyone lives the way they do. He wants to make sure that, that is instilled into them so they never take their life nor what they have for granted.

Before this doc, I was a lifelong Lil Baby fan. After this doc, nothing beside more love and respect is given to him. This document did open my eyes, ears and heart. This man was able to change his entire life off of a collective of other men believing him. He trusted the universe and the faith that these men had and is now the living legend we have supported since 2017.

QC has done an amazing job with this man. They know they have the walking ticket. Baby is the biggest act. Nothing short of a living legend. Through the learning curves, up’s and down’s, charts.. Baby has done nothing besides prevail.

After the screening, there was a 20-minute Q&A with Baby, Karam Gill, Coach K, and P. Ending the night with a performance from the honoree himself. Which I had zero clue about so I was in for an unforgettable time! I was able to make my way to the front row which so happened to be the row right behind Lil Baby, his family, & QC. His sons are THEE cutest boys I’ve seen and his mother is beyond beautiful. You felt the love in the theatre.

UNTRAPPED is launching on Amazon Studio this August. This 90-minute doc is worth the time. Filmmaker, Karam Gill did such a phenomenal job at capturing Baby's boyhood, come up, and fatherhood. The glimpse inside the living legends life was very eye opening and provided me a sense of the man I already support. P mentioned in the Q&A how folks provided back lash when they announced the doc. Pierre continues on to state the importance of capturing all moments of growth. Why not show the elevation?

Blessings to the team. Blessings to the family. Blessings to Dominique.

Thank you for the experience. Every second was worth it. Thank you to my mentor Jixie for sending me on my way to Tribeca Film Fest. Ill never forget this experience! I love you!!!!

#SmooviesWorld #LilBaby #TribecaFilm #TribecaFilmFest #Tribeca22 #NewYork #QualityControl #QC #Untrapped