JOSEPH PATEL

WRITER, DIRECTOR & PRODUCDER

Joseph’s name is synonymous with Hollywood success, as the first South Asian to scoop a documentary film Oscar for his feature Summer of Soul. What’s less well-known is that Joseph’s birth name is Monish – which he changed as a boy, to try and blend in with his American peers.

Joseph originally made his come-up as a music and culture journalist, during which time he built a reputation for bringing untold stories into the light. To the initial dismay of his parents, Joseph founded underground rap label Solesides and contributed articles for hip-hop magazines like Bomb, Straight No Chaser, Ego Trip and The Flavor. After a further stint at Vice Media, he joined MTV as a writer – but then switched into producing, directing and editing six months later. His first MTV production covered American hip-hop band The Roots, striking up an instant friendship with band member Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson. Their natural connection set the stage for Questlove to approach Joseph decades later, to bring Summer Of Soul to life on screen. 

Oscar aside, Joseph also holds two Clio Awards for producing ‘Stormzy: Gang Signs & Prayer’ (2018) and ‘Aurora: Nothing Is Eternal’ (2017), in partnership with The Fader and YouTube. His work continues to take inspiration from his love of music, with Joseph soon to be the director of best-selling book Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop.