Dancehall Dubs is a high-standard preservation project dedicated to safeguarding the visual history of Toronto’s 1990s and 2000s dancehall culture. As a professional photographer active since the early 90s, I am the sole custodian of an extensive archive, literally "bins on bins" of original 35mm negatives.

These images document a vibrant era of Black Caribbean life, featuring iconic fashion crews like the Ouch Crew and legendary cultural hubs like Club Epiphany and Eglinton West venues that have since been displaced or erased.

This grant is the catalyst for "Phase One." It will allow me to purchase the specific acid-free, archival-grade housing required to halt physical deterioration and begin a rigorous digitization process. By utilizing the professional-grade equipment at the Toronto Public Library’s Digital Innovation Hubs, I will create high-resolution "master" files of priority negatives.

This project is "awesome" because it prevents the permanent erasure of Toronto’s musical identity. By establishing a professional preservation system now, I am ensuring that the stories of the community are recorded with the dignity and "Premium" quality they deserve, kept safe for future generations by the person who lived and captured them.