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The original documentary 'Sly Lives!' about legendary musician Sly Stone produced by Roots founder and Oscar winning director Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson will debut on Hulu February 13 . This movie a product of Disney’s Onyx Collective and titled 'Sly Lives! aka the Burden of Black Genius' examines key moments from the influential career of musician Sly Stone. The new movie will premiere during the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.
Numerous special guests from music history and culture including Andre 3000 D’Angelo Chaka Khan Q-Tip Nile Rogers Jimmy Jam Terry Lewis George Clinton Ruth Copeland and Clive Davis share insights into the life and impact of Sly Stone. Also featured in the documentary are Sly and the Family Stone members Jerry Martini Greg Errico Larry Graham and the late Cynthia Robinson along with family Sylvette Phunne Robinson Novena Carmel and Sylvester Stewart Jr. This selection of key individuals provides deeper information regarding Stone’s life from all those that knew him. Variety magazine has also published many important news updates about the Hulu doc and its production and cast.
Sly and the Family Stone came together in San Francisco during 1966 making them musical innovators for that time with an ensemble of different races and genders making an entirely unique fusion of soul pop and rock music. Many of the group’s positive anthems include songs such as “Dance to the Music” and “Everyday People” establishing their status during the 1960’s. The album titled “Stand!” from 1969 along with a historic live performance at the Woodstock festival positioned the group among global headliners. After his rise to stardom Sly the leader of the group was eventually overtaken by drug use and increasing ego which resulted in reclusiveness plus periods of homelessness. Although many comeback attempts occurred Sly Stone continued to work toward success and eventually released an autobiography titled “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” a collaboration with writer Ben Greenman and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. The book borrows its name from one of the bands famous songs.
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson also known as Questlove will direct “Sly Lives!” along with Joseph Patel as producer and Josh Pearson as editor all from Onyx Collective which made the Oscar-winning documentary "Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)”. Production was completed in collaboration with MRC Network Entertainment Inc. and Two One Five Entertainment Inc. RadicalMedia Stardust Films LLC and ID8 Multimedia Inc. The project is associated with Sony Music Entertainment featuring production work by Patel Derik Murray. Several other executive producers included Amit Dey Brian Gersh Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson Shawn Gee Zarah Zohlman Common Derek Dudley Shelby Stone Ron Weisner Paul Gertz Kent Wingerak Ali Pejman Jon Kamen and Dave Sirulnick. These many different creative teams across varied multimedia platforms showcase the enormous commitment to creating high quality biographical doc on Sly Stone.
‘Sly Lives!’ provides many detailed explorations into life of legendary singer and songwriter Sly Stone offering a window into Black genius often struggling through personal obstacles plus external factors of the entertainment industry. The documentary hopes to shed light onto all aspects of the complex genius that allowed Sly Stone to make ground breaking music for many years. Many have said the story of Sly Stone needs an intricate and detailed deep dive to explore many layers in his story.