Chicago Bears gamers are getting their second within the highlight as soon as once more as HBO prepares to debut The Shuffle, a documentary chronicling the creation of their legendary 1985 rap anthem that grew to become a cultural phenomenon.
The HBO Authentic documentary brief debuts Tuesday, November 25, at 9:00 P.M. ET/PT on HBO and can stream on HBO Max.
Directed by Jeff Cameron, who helmed HBO’s Laborious Knocks, the movie marks the primary installment in a brand new collection of soccer documentaries created in partnership with NFL Movies. The Shuffle examines how the 1985 Chicago Bears created their iconic rap music video, which grew to become a nationwide sensation throughout their march to Tremendous Bowl XX victory.
The documentary options uncommon behind-the-scenes footage and contemporary interviews with star gamers who carried out the observe, together with Willie Gault, Mike Singletary, Jim McMahon, and Gary Fencik.
Launched on December 3, 1985, “The Tremendous Bowl Shuffle” grew to become arguably essentially the most profitable marriage between skilled sports activities and pop music in historical past.
The track’s business success exceeded all expectations, reaching quantity 41 on the Billboard Scorching 100 and incomes gold certification after promoting greater than 500,000 models.
The observe made the Chicago Bears the one skilled sports activities staff to earn each a US Scorching 100 hit and a Grammy nomination, receiving recognition for Greatest R&B Efficiency by a Duo or Group with Vocals on the 1987 Grammy Awards, although it misplaced to Prince’s “Kiss.”
Chicago-based file label government Dick Meyer of Pink Label Data conceived the formidable venture, which generated intense debate about confidence versus superstition. The Bears recorded the track weeks earlier than formally securing their Tremendous Bowl berth, a transfer that mirrored the staff’s confidence of their expertise.
The Bears’ audacious method to recording a championship celebration track earlier than clinching their playoff spot demonstrated the legendary swagger that outlined the 1985 squad.
The video additionally featured gamers delivering rap verses about their particular person expertise and staff chemistry, with Walter Payton main the best way.
The staff’s willingness to embrace Hip-Hop tradition at a time when the style was nonetheless rising helped legitimize rap music’s mainstream enchantment.
The documentary debuts forward of the brand new season of Laborious Knocks: In Season with the NFC East, positioning it as a nostalgic look again at one in every of soccer’s most memorable cultural moments.
