God Said Give Em Drum Machines

Categories:

Role

Producer, Videographer
Production Partner

Washington Hill Productions
Skills

Video Production, 2D and 3D Video Editing, Interview Direction, Web Development, Social Media, Marketing
Year

2011-2022

Project Overview

Documentary feature films are among the most powerful forms of educational cultural storytelling, preserving untold histories and amplifying voices that have shaped our world. “God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines” is a testament to this impact, offering a vibrant and immersive journey into the origins of Techno music and its deep roots in Detroit’s African American community.

Developed as a labor of love by David Grandison Jr. and his fellow Detroiters at Washington Hill Productions, the film captures the city’s role as the creative and cultural hub that birthed an art form now dominating the global music scene. From Detroit to Chicago, London, South Africa, and Berlin, the documentary traces Techno’s rise, revealing the cultural forces and untold struggles behind its worldwide success.

Through masterful storytelling and the electrifying energy of Techno music, the film shines a light on the pioneering visionaries—Juan Atkins, Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson, Blake Baxter, Eddie Fowlkes, and Santonio Echols—whose groundbreaking artistry laid the foundation for what has become one of the most celebrated and commercially successful musical genres in the world. “God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines” is more than just a music documentary; it is a powerful educational tool that uncovers a rarely told history of mismanaged success, fractured friendships, and raw creative inspiration, ensuring that future generations understand and appreciate the legacy of Detroit Techno.

Project Details

The Prequel: Electric Roots

Electric Roots: The Detroit Sound Project, is a documentary short (20 min TRT) project about Techno’s electronic music roots in Detroit. Starring super DJ’s Richie Hawtin and Black Coffee, this film explored the story behind our team’s trip to South Africa to film a historic meeting between Richie Hawtin and Black Coffee. This was the prequel to the God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines. The documentary short premiered at the 67th annual Cannes Film Festival in France.

My responsibilities included coordinating global production logistics, arranging and overseeing international shoots, shooting and conducting on-camera interviews with top DJs, producers, and behind-the-scenes innovators who helped define the genre. I worked closely with the director and creative team to ensure seamless storytelling, managing everything from scheduling, budgeting, and crew coordination to post-production oversight and distribution planning.

Project Summary

Through my work on God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines, I combined documentary filmmaking, cultural storytelling, and education to highlight Techno’s legacy and inspire the next generation of creators. The Film was also nominated for a NAACP Image Award. The feature documentary God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines (GSGEDM.com), premiered at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival, and has had sold-out premier screenings in most major cities around the world.

The God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines book was written as a companion project to the film. Written by Jennifer Washington and the film team. I personally wrote the forward for the book.

To extend the film’s impact beyond the screen, I created Detroit Techno 101 and a Digital Storytelling course, along with educational programs designed to complement the film and provide deeper insights into the history and cultural significance of Techno. These courses are available on The Music Origins Project (MusicOrigins.org), a digital storytelling initiative I developed as part of my Master’s Thesis at Columbia University (TC). This platform serves as both a historical archive and an educational tool, teaching young people digital storytelling, media production, and STEM skills through immersive experiences.

As part of this initiative, the team also speaks at schools and universities, engaging students in discussions about music history, digital media, and the power of storytelling. As part of this outreach, an educational version of the film is currently touring globally, bringing the story of Detroit Techno to new audiences and inspiring the next generation of creators.

Urban Universe Productions

Immersive interactive learning experiences