For me, documentaries have always been about learning something new. It could be a topic I am interested in or something I never even thought of learning about. The latest film from Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, hit me with the latter. I knew who Sly and The Family Stone were, but I never thought to dive deeper into who they really were. I didnt even think Sly Stone was alive still! Learning about a group that you have listened to your whole life really puts things into perspective. Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) is one of those music documentaries that hits you with nostalgic vibes as you realize you know more songs by the artist than you thought, while also giving a cautionary tale of fame, drugs, and the plight of the Black experience.
Premiering at Sundance, Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) examines the life and legacy of Sly & The Family Stone, the groundbreaking band led by the charismatic and enigmatic Sylvester Stewart, aka Sly Stone. The film captures the band’s rise, reign, and subsequent fadeout while shedding light on the unseen burden that can come with success for Black artists in America.
Academy Award-winning director Questlove returns to the Sundance festival with a musicly-rich and profound exploration. The use of archival video was a standout in this documentary. Audiences get a full picture of the life of Sly not only through performance footage, but with one on one interviews with the musician himself. The film immediately envelops us in band leader Sly Stone’s extraordinary musical talent while asking: What is the burden of Black genius? The film also hosts an impressive gathering of family, band members, scholars, and musicians for on-camera interviews. Noticeably missing is a current interview with the man and legend himself. Boosted by an incredible soundtrack, the film presents a powerful tribute to the visionary musical artistry of Sly & The Family Stone, while honoring and celebrating Black creativity.
Sly transcended musical boundaries. He was multitalented – producer, singer, songwriter, played a numerous instruments, and had an ear for a variety of genres. The influence and respect he garnered while still alive (currently 81 years old) has been nothing short of spectacular. It’s amazing how many musicians have been impacted by Sly and The Family Stone. For me, the most surprising one was Janet Jackson and particularly her song “Rhythm Nation.” From the mixed race and gender of the band members during the height of civil rights to the eclectic sound with tight harmoning vocals, Sly and The Family Stone’s presence and contribution to the music world did not go unnoticed. I immediately thought of their influence with Prince, and rightly so. But alas, trailblazing comes at a personal cost sometimes. Sly Lives! highlights how success can be the biggest fear of all and bring its own pain. The film focuses on drug use, mental health issues, and the dire need to self-medicate and self soothe. The film constantly reminds us that heavy is the head that wears the crown, especially for the Black artist who has to work that much harder than their non-Black counterpart to prove they belong.
Questlove’s directorial debut, Summer of Soul (or…When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature in 2022. While I enjoyed Sly, Lives!, I don’t think it’s Oscar worthy this go around. There’s an appreciation factor for the life and legacy of Sly and The Family Stone that deserves to be seen by all, but it does have filler moments that, if cut, would have made for a more streamlined story. There are so many great moments through performance and conversation, but the film covers so many important themes and ideas about fame and Black success, that it feels like it’s too much at times. There are too many topics. A deeper dive into a few of the higher level themes would have made it a clean cut. Trying to cover everything at once in 112 minutes made the film seem like it was longer than it was and did not hold my attention as it should have. There were some lulls, and alot of the last 20 minutes could have been incorporated earlier in the film.
My favorite parts of Sly Lives! were the breakdown of some of their most memorable songs. We learned how the songs came to be, what it was like recording them, while seeing the live performances. Some of the songs highlighted included “Everyday People,” “Stand,” Thank You,” and my personal favorite, “Dance to the Music.” I was smiling through all those scenes; even dancing a little in my seat. A sense of joy and togetherness came through the film. It was inspiring, it was cautionary, and it was an experience I hope many people get to enjoy.
Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) premieres On Hulu On February 13.
