Conversation on Legacy, Loyalty, and an Independent Grind
What started as a raw, street-rooted web series has grown into a full-fledged cultural triumph. With millions of views under its belt, Philadelphia-based crime drama OLDHEAD makes its historic leap from YouTube and Tubi to Amazon Prime Video. Directed by Tony Chennault and starring local hip-hop talents Dappa and D4M $loan, the film breathes authenticity. From its emotionally charged storylines to its gritty visuals and cinematic score.
I sat down with the cast and crew of OLDHEAD for a heartfelt, real, and revealing conversation on community, choices, masculinity, and the city that raised them.
Philadelphia’s crime drama OLDHEAD makes its leap from YouTube to Amazon Prime. Director Tony Chennault and cast share their journey of loyalty and legacy.
Milan: First off, congrats on the Amazon Prime release. What does this moment mean to each of you, especially coming from such a grassroots journey with the web series?
Drew: It is really two things. On one hand, we are extremely proud. On the other, we know there is still a lot of work ahead. This means a lot to everyone on this call, and even more to the folks who could not be here today. OLDHEAD is a project we have been building for almost 11 years. To see it grow from a small idea to something with real traction, real viewership, and now being on Amazon Prime, it is amazing. It speaks to Philadelphia, every part of it. The city is full of talent, and we kept it going.
Tony: I am from Logan, off Sydney and M Street, so to see OLDHEAD grow into what it is now is a beautiful feeling. A lot of people put serious sweat equity into this. It is a love letter to Philadelphia. We showed the different nuances, the streets, the mentorship, the community. That is what this city is really about.
Dappa: To me, this is love. Building it from the ground up, being in those first episodes, and staying committed year after year. We did five seasons, and now we have a full movie. That journey means a lot. I am big on loyalty and growth, building with the same team and watching something evolve. It is like making a great investment. We put in a lot of blood, sweat, and tears.
Sloan: I am one of the newcomers, but honestly, I feel blessed to be part of the journey. I could tell how dedicated everyone was and how hard they had been going for this. I am grateful to be part of it, and I hope it flourishes to the moon.
Milan: Tony, OLDHEAD has been years in the making, starting as a web series and now evolving into a feature film. What was the biggest shift or challenge in adapting it for the bigger screen?
Tony: Writing a film means streamlining. We had to really focus on LA’s journey and build the world around him. There were things we wanted to include, but did not have time for. Still, I think we stayed committed to the core vibes of the project.
Milan: And this was your feature directorial debut. What did you learn about yourself as a filmmaker?
Tony: We shot this movie in 15 days, with 14 hour days. We were overambitious, and I definitely felt the burnout, especially by the second week. If I could go back, I would give the cast and crew more time. But I also learned we could execute under pressure, and that was huge.
Milan: Dappa and Sloan, your performances were intense and layered. How did you prepare to embody these roles, coming from music backgrounds?
Dappa: I tapped into LA naturally. We are similar. I have battled with staying legit, doing the right thing. People I know have been through that too. It did not feel like acting, it felt like telling a real story.
Sloan: Same here. My character’s name is my real name. It just clicked. I studied DMX and 2Pac, rappers who acted. That helped me lock in emotionally and mentally.
Milan: Drew, how much of yourself did you bring into your character?
Drew: The character is me in so many ways. I am from Philadelphia, I work with the youth, I care about my family and community. The challenge was the acting, learning not to be robotic. I had a powerful scene with Poole in Season 2 where we used a real event from my life. That grounded the performance.
Milan: OLDHEAD touches on masculinity, mentorship, grief, and violence. What do you hope people take away from this project?
Tony: Two things. One, the power of choice. Every day we are faced with decisions, and each one has consequences. Two, find the right oldheads. Not every oldhead gives good guidance, but the right mentorship can change your life.
Drew: It is about authenticity. That is the message, through the series, the movie, even knowing us personally. If the young people slow down and really absorb the art, they will see what we are doing here. Tony built something major. We shot this in 15 days. That is monumental. Give us a chance, watch the film, talk to us if you see us. This is for the people.
Milan: Let’s talk visuals and sound. The film breathes North Philadelphia. Can you speak to the work of FaZe Hammond and Anis Taylor in shaping the look and feel?
Tony: FaZe was our DP and also acted in the film. He captured Philadelphia not as monolithic, but as mosaic. It is gritty, but there is beauty too. We used color intentionally, blue for LA’s detachment, red as he builds tension, yellow when he starts transforming. Sloan’s scenes were darker, reflecting his character’s world. It was all done with purpose.
Milan: Did any of your music make it into the soundtrack, Dappa and Sloan?
Dappa: Yes, some of my music is in there.
Sloan: Me too. It was great to be part of it that way as well.
Milan: Tony, what is next for Mike Jay Films?
Tony: Absolutely more Philadelphia-rooted stories. We just finished a film called One Last Night, which we shot in Los Angeles. It is being submitted to Sundance, Tribeca, and South by Southwest. We are also developing a new series called Badlands, also Philadelphia-rooted. A lot of these guys will be involved in that too.
Milan: Rapid fire, describe OLDHEAD in three words.
Tony: Decisions. Mentorship. Love.
Drew: Nothing like it.
Dappa: Wisdom. Guidance. Leadership.
Sloan: There for you.
Milan: Finally, where can people watch OLDHEAD and keep up with what you are doing?
Tony: You can still watch the web series on YouTube, just search OLDHEAD: The Series. Some episodes are also on Fox Soul. Follow us on Instagram at @oldheadex for updates. The movie drops August 22 on Amazon Prime Video.
Drew: Follow me through @oldheadex and also our podcast page @offtherip. August 22 on Amazon, possibly Fox Soul, Tubi, and YouTube. Stay tapped in.
Dappa: Everything is @realdappa on social, and musically it is just Dappa, D A P P A.
Sloan: @D4MSloan everywhere
Check out the official trailer below.
There will be a special screening with the cast & crew tonight at 7 PM at Blue Martini Night Club Screening Link below https://www.eventbrite.com/e/old-head-the-movie-viewing-party-rsvp-at-bleu-martini-friday-august-22nd-registration-1560394073679
The film is now available to watch below:
here’s the link for the movie that’s currently streaming on Amazon Prime:
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