Spin the Story
Discover the Notes, Between the Lines
Set to the tempo of South Side Chicago, “Rhythm and Blu” is a Black romantic dramedy that riffs on love, heartbreak, and all the rules in between. When a vinyl-obsessed dreamer and a heartbroken crate-digger cross paths in a record store, a search for a long lost vinyl turns into a mixtape of missed connections, sweet grooves, and second chances.
Rhythm and Blu is a cinematic love letter to music, to heartbreak, and to home.
J. P.
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Why this Story?
What if black love was a mixtape? What if the soul of Chicago had a soundtrack? One that played in record shops on the South Side and featured the voices of dancers, singers, poets, and dreamers who shape the city’s culture? That’s the spirit behind Rhythm and Blu, rooted in melody, identity, and emotional truth. This isn’t your typical rom-com. We start at the end, opening opportunity to experience It’s honest, funny, vulnerable, and at times, messy middle... Just like real love. More importantly, it centers the kind of love stories that rarely make it to the screen: ones that reflect the richness and complexity of Black relationships. Black love is often pushed to the margins in mainstream media, reduced to stereotypes or overlooked entirely. This film is here to change that. It dives deep into the emotional lives of its characters, exploring how we carry heartbreak, how we try to heal from it, and how love forces us to confront the parts of ourselves we’re still learning to accept.
We are a passionate team of Black creators dedicated to bringing the spotlight to the artistry engraved in the streets of Chicago. "Rhythm and Blu" is more than a film; it's a celebration of our culture, music, and the vibrant spirit of love. We aims to capture the authentic melodies of the South Side. In gathering artists across all disciplines, our all-Black collaboration ensures a story told with genuine voice and perspective, focusing on positive narratives and the power of community.
Our Mission
Meet the Characters
TONI (20's)
Toni’s well off, sharp-tongued, ride-or-die roommate and the definition of “tough love.” A sexually free (bad) poet with edge and attitude, Blue is deeply protective of her people and not afraid to get confrontational. She has the answers for everything, except real emotions.
JD (20's)
Duke’s best friend. Equal parts hilarious and delusional, JD talks like he knows everything about women and love but constantly proves he doesn’t. A true comic relief character who unexpectedly drops wisdom when you least expect it. Loud, loyal, and low-key sensitive.
BLU (20's)
A quirky, standardized patient fresh out of a messy breakup. She’s a little lost, awkward, very dramatic, and always in her feelings…but has a vibrant warmth and deep well of humor. Toni feels everything deeply, and that makes her lovable, even when she’s a mess.
DUKE(20's)
Write A geeky, music-obsessed dreamer who hides his vulnerability behind slick confidence and slow smiles. He works at a record store, but his real dream is starting his own label. Soft for the right person. Think: loverboy energy with ambition and an old-soul heart.
The Witty, poetic, and brutally honest Narrator who is guiding the audience through love’s highs and lows with humor, heart, and a heavy dose of R&B wisdom. Think: Morgan Freeman meets Kat Williams… so Samuel Jackson
NARRATOR (30's)
TIONNE (17)
The lazy too-cool-for-you grandson of the record store owner. Tionne’s got jokes, opinions on every track ever recorded, and zero filter. Think early-2000s hip-hop nerd meets Gen Z. He’s music encyclopedia meets menace, but still lovable
A smart, driven, slightly sarcastic teen with a passion for storytelling. Focused and unfazed, she is a confident visionary armed with her trusty VHS camcorder, dedicated to make her documentary, Black & Blues: Our Embodiment of Music. Witty, observant, and unafraid to speak her mind. Despite her age, she often serves as the comic relief, and unexpected voice of wisdom among the store's older crew.
A lyrical, magnetic presence who spits poetry throughout the series. Their voice is smooth like vinyl and cuts deep like a jazz solo. Poet doesn’t just perform, they sermonize. Witty, wise, soulful, and stylish, they embody the rhythm and spirit of Black love in every line. The voice of the Conscious.
QUINN (16)
POET (20's–30's)
Toni’s self-absorbed ex. A pilot with main character energy and professional F-boy tendencies. Fine and knows it. Always ready with a story, a line, and an excuse. Shannon has just enough charm to make you second-guess your better judgment.
SHANNON (30's)
B JUICE (30's)
A loud, pun-obsessed poet with main-character energy, B Juice is all swagger and spectacle. Known for his juice-themed catchphrases (“squirt squirt,” “slurp slurp”), he’s more dramatic than deep—but unforgettable all the same.