AceShowbiz - Jean-Michel Basquiat is set to be the focus of Netflix’s first official documentary created with the full involvement of his family. The film will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival this June before becoming available worldwide on the streaming platform later this summer.

Directed by Quinn Whitney Wilson and Viridiana Lieberman, this documentary aims to reveal the true person behind the iconic artist, moving beyond the myths and legends that often surround Basquiat. Unlike typical retrospectives, it includes intimate interviews with his sisters, Lisane and Jeanine, alongside previously unseen artwork and archival footage that provide a deeper understanding of his life and impact.

According to reports from the Hollywood Reporter, the film “demystifies the story of Basquiat and discovers the man behind it all,” offering a narrative that many have not seen before. This approach is significant because most people know only the mythology rather than the real individual who influenced culture so profoundly.

The documentary also highlights why the Hip-Hop community should take note. Far from being isolated in the gallery scene, Basquiat was deeply embedded in the 1980s New York street culture from which Hip-Hop emerged. He was closely connected with Fab Five Freddy, a pioneering graffiti artist and Hip-Hop figure instrumental in bridging street art and rap culture.

Basquiat’s involvement extended beyond observation; he actively contributed to the scene by producing “Beat Bop,” one of the earliest Hip-Hop records, for which he also created the single’s artwork. The record, featuring Rammellzee and K-Rob, appears in the classic Hip-Hop documentary Style Wars and has since become a valuable collector’s item, recognized as a pivotal moment when visual art and rap culture collided.

Basquiat’s influence on Hip-Hop goes beyond music, shaping the genre’s visual aesthetics. His neo-expressionist style, rooted in graffiti and street culture, evolved into a visual language that many rappers and producers embraced. He demonstrated that street art was not merely vandalism but a legitimate form of artistic expression deserving of museum recognition and respect.

This shift in perception transformed how Hip-Hop culture viewed itself visually, proving that art born from the streets could resonate on every cultural level. The documentary’s executive producers include Travis Kelce, underscoring the broad mainstream interest in Basquiat’s story and legacy.

Following its debut at Tribeca, the film will be accessible globally on Netflix, providing audiences worldwide with a long-awaited, authentic portrayal of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s life and his enduring influence on both art and Hip-Hop culture.

This article is based on reporting originally published by AllHipHop.