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The Weird World of Blowfly tells the story of Clarence Reid, a Miami musician who wrote and produced romantic and spiritual songs for some of the greatest Southern soul and R&B acts of the 1960s and '70s. He is also the gonzo performer Blowfly, Clarence's freaky alter ego and the original X-rated rapper. Now 69 years-old, with a gold-spangled superhero costume and a catalog of the world's raunchiest tunes, Blowfly tours the world, struggling for success and recognition after 50 years of making music.
The film highlights both Clarence's and Blowfly's unique contributions to music history, including Top-10 hits for artists like Betty Wright, Gwen McCrae, and KC & The Sunshine Band, and what might be the world's first rap song, recorded in 1965. Surprisingly, although Clarence has shocked and grooved audiences with Blowfly's hilarious and provocative hard-core songs for more than four decades, he remains to this day a deeply religious man who forswears smoking, drugs and alcohol.
Shot over the course of two years, the film follows Clarence today and we see his life, career and philosophy unfold. A revealing portrait of an unheralded man, The Weird World of Blowfly examines Clarence's personal and professional contradictions, explores his legacy and celebrates his musical and cultural significance as a rapper and soul music legend.
Directed by Jonathan Furmanski. Premiered at SXSW.