Black Royalty: A Documentary Honoring J. Rowdy's Legacy

In 2024, Durham lost one of its brightest lights. Kevin Joshua "Rowdy" Rowsey, Hip Hop artist, community leader, Executive Director of Blackspace, and beloved mentor, left behind a profound impact on everyone he touched. His final album, Black Royalty, was both a love letter to Durham and an autobiographical masterpiece that celebrated Black excellence, radical imagination, and the power of community.

Black Royalty is a documentary that follows Naima "Eemah" Harrell, the film's director, a musician, and one of Rowdy's closest mentees, as she honors the man who shaped her while stepping into her own creative power. Through Naima's journey, we explore Josh's life, his impact on Durham's creative community, and the legacy he left behind.

This story is deeply personal. It's about making up for lost time, reconnecting with found family, and ensuring Rowdy's story lives on for generations to come.

We need your support to bring this story to life.

Funds raised will go toward:

Production costs (filming, equipment, crew)
Post-production (editing, sound design, color grading)
Archival licensing and music clearances
Community screenings and festival submissions

Black Royalty is about grief, legacy, community, Hip Hop, and staying true to yourself. This film is for anyone who's ever felt too small to make a difference or too unsure to show up. It's a reminder that your voice is powerful and that it matters.

Help us honor Rowdy. Help us tell this story.

Black Royalty Loveraiser

Team Members