At only 27 years old, Lil Baby has been able to reach levels of success and fame that most people in the world will only be able to dream of. The title "Untrapped" foreshadows the transition of Lil Baby from the hardened streets of Atlanta to a life of wealth, luxury, and power. At one point in the film, while preparing for his ground-breaking 2021 Grammy performance of "The Bigger Picture," Lil Baby triumphantly repeats, in a crescendo: "I could be out in the street selling dope somewhere right now!"
At its' surface, the film is about Baby's individual come-up story and his journey through the whirlwind that is the Hip Hop industry - as an artist, a father and a change-maker. Lil Baby's story is unique for a different reason, though. His story, the story told through this film, highlights the importance and the power of community in breaking down barriers to 'success' in the United States, namely financial freedom and influence.
The film makes sure to emphasize that Lil Baby was always respected in his community, long before he took up music. When he was caught up in street activities (activities that eventually landed him in prison for 2 years, which the film addresses in detail) he was still making enough money to provide for his family and to be the leader that he longed to be. It was his community members and mentors that were looking out for him, his future, his long-term, and, really - his life. In an interview with Young Thug, Thug explains the lengths he was willing to go to keep Lil Baby off the streets. "I would have given him a million dollars," he told the audience, after explaining how in the past, he had given Lil Baby, also known as Dominique Jones, payments of up to 20 thousand dollars in one day to replace the income he would have made in the streets. Lil Baby's community members saw the potential that he had, and they supported him and invested in him to help him become "untrapped."
The film also showcases a supportive and healthy relationship between Lil Baby and Quality Control Music Co-Founder Kevin "Coach K" Lee and Quality Control Music CEO Pierre "P" Thomas, in giving audiences insight into their intimate moments as a team, including moments of reflection and tough decision-making. "Untrapped" is filled with wholesome content. Although there are heavy subjects addressed like poverty, drugs, death and prison, the overall feel of the film is very upbeat, positive, and hopeful. The film showcases Dominique Jones as a person, and not just the artist that is Lil Baby. There is an abundance of footage of him as a child himself, as well as footage of him in his everyday life as a father, and as an active member of his community and communities like his across the US.
One subject that was almost completely left out of this film, possibly reflecting the all-male team of producers, was the role of women in Lil Baby's journey --and it's not because they're not present in his life. The film had some brief moments with Lil Baby's mother who told us that Dominique, his siblings, and her had always had a close relationship. Women are a big part of his life, he grew up with two sisters in total and co-parents children with two women. Yet most of the female figures in his life remain hidden in the story that was portrayed. There is a woman who appears in the film that he references and speaks to often, "Britney," who seems to have a lot to do with his day-to-day life, but she is never formally introduced at any point in the film. A quick Google search will tell you that this Britney is actually Britney Davis, VP of Artist Relations, Marketing, and Special Projects at Motown Records and Billboard 40 under 40 honoree, someone who would still be worthy of an introduction without her impressive accomplishments. There are continuous appearances by the female CEO of MoTown Records, Ethiopia Habtemariam, but barring that and the moments with his mother, women are largely absent from this film.
Ultimately, however, this film was a compelling and insightful look into the journey that Lil Baby is on. He showcases his intelligence, moments of compassion and self-awareness, as well as a consistent and respectable willingness to better himself as well as give back to his community and the larger communities that are in need. One can only hope that with time, reflection and growth that he will also come to understand his impact through the lens of gender, and beyond. Still, this film is sure to leave you excited about the future of Lil Baby and even more excited for Dominique Jones' personal development as a cultural leader.
D. Garcia Educator, Professional, Creative.
At its' surface, the film is about Baby's individual come-up story and his journey through the whirlwind that is the Hip Hop industry - as an artist, a father and a change-maker. Lil Baby's story is unique for a different reason, though. His story, the story told through this film, highlights the importance and the power of community in breaking down barriers to 'success' in the United States, namely financial freedom and influence.
The film makes sure to emphasize that Lil Baby was always respected in his community, long before he took up music. When he was caught up in street activities (activities that eventually landed him in prison for 2 years, which the film addresses in detail) he was still making enough money to provide for his family and to be the leader that he longed to be. It was his community members and mentors that were looking out for him, his future, his long-term, and, really - his life. In an interview with Young Thug, Thug explains the lengths he was willing to go to keep Lil Baby off the streets. "I would have given him a million dollars," he told the audience, after explaining how in the past, he had given Lil Baby, also known as Dominique Jones, payments of up to 20 thousand dollars in one day to replace the income he would have made in the streets. Lil Baby's community members saw the potential that he had, and they supported him and invested in him to help him become "untrapped."
The film also showcases a supportive and healthy relationship between Lil Baby and Quality Control Music Co-Founder Kevin "Coach K" Lee and Quality Control Music CEO Pierre "P" Thomas, in giving audiences insight into their intimate moments as a team, including moments of reflection and tough decision-making. "Untrapped" is filled with wholesome content. Although there are heavy subjects addressed like poverty, drugs, death and prison, the overall feel of the film is very upbeat, positive, and hopeful. The film showcases Dominique Jones as a person, and not just the artist that is Lil Baby. There is an abundance of footage of him as a child himself, as well as footage of him in his everyday life as a father, and as an active member of his community and communities like his across the US.
One subject that was almost completely left out of this film, possibly reflecting the all-male team of producers, was the role of women in Lil Baby's journey --and it's not because they're not present in his life. The film had some brief moments with Lil Baby's mother who told us that Dominique, his siblings, and her had always had a close relationship. Women are a big part of his life, he grew up with two sisters in total and co-parents children with two women. Yet most of the female figures in his life remain hidden in the story that was portrayed. There is a woman who appears in the film that he references and speaks to often, "Britney," who seems to have a lot to do with his day-to-day life, but she is never formally introduced at any point in the film. A quick Google search will tell you that this Britney is actually Britney Davis, VP of Artist Relations, Marketing, and Special Projects at Motown Records and Billboard 40 under 40 honoree, someone who would still be worthy of an introduction without her impressive accomplishments. There are continuous appearances by the female CEO of MoTown Records, Ethiopia Habtemariam, but barring that and the moments with his mother, women are largely absent from this film.
Ultimately, however, this film was a compelling and insightful look into the journey that Lil Baby is on. He showcases his intelligence, moments of compassion and self-awareness, as well as a consistent and respectable willingness to better himself as well as give back to his community and the larger communities that are in need. One can only hope that with time, reflection and growth that he will also come to understand his impact through the lens of gender, and beyond. Still, this film is sure to leave you excited about the future of Lil Baby and even more excited for Dominique Jones' personal development as a cultural leader.
D. Garcia Educator, Professional, Creative.
