Hak Baker’s talk of the town

Broken Antenna helm a fascinating mixed-media video for Hak Baker and Joe Armon-Jones' dub track Wrong Side of Town, which entertains while making serious commentary on shifting urban cultures.  

It’s the Knucklehead directors’ seventh video for Hak Baker and explores the effects of East End locals being priced out of their neighbourhood by the latte-loving elite.

The video's eclectic blend of footage includes CCTV, clips from government housing meetings and commentary from local cafés and boxing joints. The montage is woven through Baker's nostalgic journey as he cycles round the parts of East London he grew up in, observing the effects of gentrification, but also the surviving parts of a working-class community that continue to define the city.

Baker commented: “All our lives people have been looking down their noses at us but we used to have the safe haven of the estate, tower blocks and high roads [where we could] commune and be human. Now, we hardly have that, the wealthy come to our area to take over and not take part, shoving us outward, looking down their biased beaks. Nah mate, not round here. I think it’s time to scream and shout that we’re here to stay and if you don’t like it, you must be on the wrong side of the town.” 

Look out for shots upcoming interview with Broken Antenna about the making of the promo.