'Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)': How Sly Stone impacted artists Questlove, D'Angelo, Chaka Khan
"We're of similar age, we have very different backgrounds in terms of our upbringing, but we are hip-hop kids who knelt down on the dirty floor of a dusty record shop looking for records," Patel told Yahoo Canada about what makes his collaboration with Questlove so effective. "And in a lot of ways, I think this kind of filmmaking is similar to that. It's the same mentality."
Patel added that what's also appealing about Questlove's approach to filmmaking is that, even with all his success, "he is still a music fan."
"I met him in 1996 writing my first cover story for Rap Pages magazine on The Roots. ... I flew out to Philadelphia to interview him, ... and I had never met anyone like him," Patel shared. "He was Questlove of The Roots, but also, he was a music fan, and he nerded out over record reviews and magazines the same way me and my friends did."
"He's not a gatekeeper, when he learns something he wants to share that story with people. And I think that part of him has always been there, and I think it's the thing that really bonds us together."
Everyday People, Family Affair...you know the music, it's time to meet the man. Directed by #QuestLove, SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) comes to #DisneyPlusCA February 13. pic.twitter.com/7AggVZ0YuW
— Disney+ Canada 🇨🇦 (@DisneyPlusCA) February 13, 2025
As Patel's fellow producer, Derik Murray, highlighted, the impact of having Questlove, a music icon in his own right, lead the stars through the interviews for this film created a place of trust for them to not just open up about Stone, but their own lives.
"He brought comfort and trust," Murray told Yahoo Canada. "When he sat down with these folks, he wasn't stepping into that world a stranger, and ... he's being very honest about his own trials and tribulations with fame and success, and he is ... a genius in his own right."
"We spent a lot of time trying to figure out who to talk to, but we wanted them to be proxies for Sly," Patel said in a separate interview. "D'Angelo was hard. Even though him and Amir are really tight and have a lot of history, it took a year to get D'Angelo to sit on camera for us."
"We started talking about Sly, but he's really talking about himself, and those are, to me, my favourite parts of the movie. Those are the ones where you see the connection between Sly and these artists that he's ... influenced, but also who have sort of taken on the contours of his own experiences."
Sly Lives! begins with one impactful question, "What is Black genius?" Stated very clearly and directly, it's the question that we go on the journey of answering throughout the film.
"The movie opens with this montage of people contemplating the question, 'What is Black genius?' And the editing sleight of hand is that they're really struggling with the question, and ostensibly, the story of Sly is the answer to that question," Patel explained. "Here's an example of Black genius."
"But really they all answered that question, to some degree. It was not an unfamiliar question for them. ... I think Questlove asking that question would have solicited a different response."
But with any documentary, there's an element of wanting to serve the people who may know nothing about its subject, and those who are particularly informed.
"I want to find the sweet spot right between people who know a lot and people who are coming to it fresh, and you want to draw them in," Patel said. "I think one of the things we learned in making Summer of Soul is that sometimes you have to kill your darlings in service of the bigger idea, and we approached Sly very similarly."
"Even for those obsessives, there's stuff in this film that they have never seen or heard before. Sony gave us access to the vaults where we got to hear "Stan" take one. And "Everyday People" take one. ... But for everybody else, we wanted to give them the story, 'Oh you recognize these hits, here's the story of the ... person behind those hits.'"
As time progresses in the documentary, we get to understand the pressures Sly Stone as a pioneering successful Civil Rights Era Black artist, tasked with navigating the anxieties of his career.
In an interesting portion of the film, we get to the superstar's drug use and eventual time in rehab, but as we see the archival footage of Stone talking about his drug addiction and going to rehab, he doesn't have the vocabulary to talk about his trauma, or the understanding of generational trauma.
"We wanted to show how he was struggling to describe, really, what therapy was," Patel said. "He's facing the sort of the double whammy of being part of the late '60s hippie generation, but also being Black. And so in the conservative Reagan '80s, he's a prime target for for people to take joy in his downfall."
"And we were very careful, we didn't want to rob Sly of his agency. He made these choices. The last bite of the film, ... this interview he does with Maria Shriver that we use as a through line through the movie, he says, 'We get everything we deserve'. ... So he understands that he made these choices. ... We didn't want to get lost in the drug stories. We wanted to really spend time in the context around those stories and really how they were portrayed."
"He's a trailblazer, there's no road map for him to follow," Murray added in a separate interview. "I think from that standpoint, I think he felt trapped within his role as this Black artist, as this superstar."
"That's the beautiful part about the archive in this film, is we really get to hear from Sly firsthand, this journey that he was on, and I think that's what allows us to really start to feel like we're understanding what the stresses are, what the complications are, and we're seeing this incredible, epic success complicated by the factor that he's such a change-maker. ... In many ways, I think he was a target for many in the universe that were, quite frankly, racially motivated not to support an artist that had that vision."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Tom's Guide
29 minutes ago
- Tom's Guide
7 top new movies and shows to stream this weekend on Netflix, Hulu and more (July 25-27)
The last weekend of July has arrived, and with the heat cranking up, the smart move seems to be staying in with the new movies and shows to watch this weekend on Netflix, Hulu and other streaming services. This week offers a little bit of everything. "Happy Gilmore 2" tees up a sequel nearly three decades in the making, while "Materialists" puts a fresh take on the rom-com scene. On the TV front, "South Park" returns with its usual sharp satire, and "The Sandman" closes out its haunting, high-stakes story. Here are our top picks for new TV shows to watch this weekend. Happy Gilmore is back, and not much has changed — he's still yelling at golf balls and swinging like he's trying to kill someone. Nearly 30 years after the original, Adam Sandler returns to tee off, this time to help pay for his daughter's ballet school. Julie Bowen, Ben Stiller and Christopher McDonald are back, too, and Bad Bunny and Travis Kelce somehow ended up in the mix. Plot details are thin, but based on the trailer, we're in for a mix of rage and ridiculousness. Streaming now on Netflix Celine Song trades the bittersweet ache of her Oscar-nominated feature debut 'Past Lives' for a fresh, sly twist on a romantic comedy. Dakota Johnson stars as a high-end matchmaker in New York who gets tangled up in her own romantic conundrum — caught between her broke actor ex (Chris Evans) and a too-good-to-be-true millionaire (Pedro Pascal). Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. 'Materialists' asks the age-old question: love or money? In modern dating, you can't have it all and something's gotta give. Streaming now with purchase on Amazon or Apple This sweeping limited series traces the remarkable journey of a boy who refuses to let the world write his story for him. Born into bondage on a Barbados sugar plantation, young Wash (played by Eddie Karanja and later Ernest Kingsley Jr.) finds an unlikely ally in a quirky inventor (Tom Ellis) who helps him escape. What follows is a far-reaching adventure, complete with flying machines, bounty hunters and Arctic expeditions. Through it all, Wash learns some painful truths about freedom. Adapted from Esi Edugyan's celebrated novel, the series is anchored by Sterling K. Brown as both narrator and protector. All 8 episodes streaming now on Hulu Dream (Tom Sturridge) has broken the ultimate taboo for the Endless — he took the life of his own son. Now, in volume 2, the consequences come crashing down. The Kindly Ones are on the hunt, the Dreaming is falling apart and Morpheus must face the heavy price of compassion. These final five episodes push the saga to its edge, with Dream confronting gods, monsters and the weight of centuries-old pride. Even Destiny (Adrian Lester) can't guarantee escape. And as the story winds down, next week's bonus episode featuring Death (Kirby Howell-Baptiste) offers a final, heartbreaking touch. All 5 episodes streaming now on Netflix Grab a cocktail to toast one last trip to "Acapulco." In its final season, the bilingual comedy jumps between present-day Máximo (Eugenio Derbez) trying to bring Las Colinas back to life, and 1986, where young Máximo (Enrique Arrizon) is pulling every trick in the book to reclaim the hotel's top spot in Acapulco. This is a paradise filled with neon, nostalgia and bittersweet decisions. Máximo will have his hands full in both timelines. Episodes 1-2 streaming now on Apple TV Plus A lot of uncertainty surrounded 'South Park" season 27. Just hours after Paramount announced a $1.5 billion, 50-episode deal with creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the season premiered amid ongoing tensions between the creators and their corporate parent. Despite behind-the-scenes drama — including Paramount's controversial dealings with the Trump administration and the cancellation of Stephen Colbert's show — the series stays as sharp, irreverent, and unapologetic as ever. Episode 1 streaming now on Paramount Plus Imagine if Indiana Jones and Zoolander had an absurdly hilarious animated lovechild — that's Rip Digman. Andy Samberg's down-on-his-luck archaeologist is back for more wild adventures, drug-fueled globe-trotting and ridiculous ancient artifact escapades. Mitra Jouhari, Tim Robinson, Melissa Fumero, and the usual gang return, alongside a jaw-dropping lineup of guest stars like Mark Hamill, Kate Winslet and Jeffrey Wright. Episode 1 streaming on demand via Sling or Fubo)


San Francisco Chronicle
29 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Stream it: August is action-packed with ‘Alien: Earth,' ‘Eyes of Wakanda' and ‘The Pickup'
The blockbusters aren't just in cinemas this summer, as streaming services have plenty of explosions and car chases to go around. The latest animated addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe launches on Disney+, as well as a terrifying new entry into the 'Alien' franchise. Crime fans get a hilarious heist and a British murder to solve, while Jason Momoa releases his epic historical saga. Check out the latest thrills hitting streaming services this August. 'Chief of War' Jason Momoa ('Aquaman') developed and stars in this gripping historical drama about his native Hawaii. Kaʻiana (Momoa) is a seafaring explorer who is drawn into a bloody civil war and colonial violence when the British arrive on the islands. The series pays especially close attention to historical accuracy, using Hawaiian dialects from the 19th century and even building reproductions of authentic war canoes from local materials, with help from the staff at the Honolulu archiving institute Awaiaulu. Momoa shines as a brooding and conflicted hero combating the destruction of his homeland. Watch it: Streaming on Apple TV+ starting Friday, Aug. 1. 'The Pickup' Eddie Murphy returns to the action-comedy genre and Pete Davidson is along for the ride in 'The Pickup.' The two play armored-truck drivers when their vehicle is hijacked by a professional thief (Keke Palmer). As the plan goes south, she pivots to making the hapless pair rob a casino. Having two of the funniest and most talented 'Saturday Night Live' alumni dodging explosions while bantering is a great way to spend any 90 minutes. Tim Story ('Ride Along') directs. 'Alien: Earth' The Predator recently received a new series on streaming, and now it's the Xenomorphs' turn. A fight with the extraterrestrials on Earth has been teased since 'Alien: Resurrection,' and showrunner Noah Hawley ('Fargo,' 'Legion') is bringing it to life. When a spaceship filled with Xenomorphs crashes into Earth in 2120, a group of synthetic humans led by Wendy (Sydney Chandler) are sent to investigate on behalf of their employer. However, this time there are actually five different types of invasive species being let loose, upping the stakes considerably. Shot in Thailand, the new series recaptures the grimy feel of the Ridley Scott original before branching out into the more lush settings of Earth. Watch it: Science fiction. Streaming on Hulu starting Aug. 12. 'The Thursday Murder Club' It's a golden age for elderly sleuths thanks to 'Only Murders in the Building' and the return of 'Matlock.' Netflix is jumping on the bandwagon with 'The Thursday Murder Club,' which centers on a group of British retirees investigating cold cases until they get involved in a new murder. Helen Mirren ('MobLand') stars as a former spy, now leading the titular club comprising a union leader (Pierce Brosnan), a psychiatrist (Ben Kingsley), and a nurse (Celia Imrie). Mirren brings an imperial bearing and razor wit to the role of Elizabeth Best, the character created by novelist Richard Osman, and with the series up to five books, there will be plenty of room for sequels. This looks as cozy as listening to a true crime podcast wrapped in your grandmother's quilt. Watch it: Crime drama. Streaming on Netflix starting Aug. 28. 'Eyes of Wakanda' Marvel animation may have stopped asking 'What If… ?' but it still has a deeper look at the 'Black Panther' universe ready this month. The four-part anthology series chronicles key moments in the history of the reclusive Afrofuturistic nation, including a disgraced Dora Milaje on a mission, a pirate and an appearance by the Immortal Iron Fist. The series was developed by Oakland native Ryan Coogler ('Black Panther'), with Todd Harris, storyboard artist for multiple MCU projects, serving as showrunner.


Geek Tyrant
an hour ago
- Geek Tyrant
Jamie Lee Curtis Confirms She Will Star in MURDER, SHE WROTE Feature Adaptation That is Officially in the Works — GeekTyrant
Academy Award-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis ( Everything Everywhere All At Once , The Bear ) has confirmed that a film reboot of the classic series Murder, She Wrote is in the works at Universal, and Curtis is set to star. The actress revealed that she's 'a minute away' from taking over the late Angela Lansbury's beloved middle-aged mystery writer and amateur sleuth role, Jessica Fletcher, in a feature adaptation of the CBS series that ran for 12 seasons from 1984 to '96. 'Oh, it's… happening,' Curtis playfully confirmed to Entertainment Tonight. 'We're a minute away, but yeah, [I'm] very excited. Very excited. But I'm tamping down my enthusiasm until we start shooting. I have a couple of other things to hustle, but then I'll get to enjoy that work.' The script was written by Lauren Schuker Blum and Rebecca Angelo, with producers Lord Miller and Amy Pascal. Lansbury starred from 1984 to 1996 in what became one of the most successful and longest-running shows in TV history. Her Jessica Fletcher was a retired schoolteacher turned successful mystery writer, who proves to have an uncanny knack for solving real-life murders. The show was primarily set in the seaside town of Cabot Cove, Maine, though Jessica often travels to other locales as cases unfold. I love Curtis, and I think she will be great in this role. Stay tuned for updates. via: Deadline