The Sixth Borough

A documentary ode to Long Island – the birthplace of a groundbreaking music scene and, as one artist puts it, a candy store of ideas for young creatives. In The Sixth Borough, Jason Pollard revisits the roots of this unique cultural pocket just east of New York City, where legendary groups like Public Enemy and De La Soul first found their voices. Members of both bands reflect on the early days and the eclectic blend of influences that defined their sound; a mix shaped not only by music, but also by social displacement. Their families, among the first Black residents in predominantly white Long Island suburbs, brought a new energy to a community adding to the cultural melting pot.

Set against a backdrop of political upheaval, drug epidemics, gun violence, and systemic police brutality, the film traces the birth of iconic music. But The Sixth Borough is less a political exposé than a warm family album – a heartfelt chronicle of community, creative spirit, and directed primarily to fans of hip-hop’s suburban revolution.