By Kathia Woods | Special to The OBSERVER
Oscar-winning director Questlove follows up his acclaimed debut documentary “Summer of Soul” with “Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius),” exploring the musical genius and impact of Sly Stone.
The film, now streaming on Hulu, offers insight into an artist who was ahead of his time and whose music is often sampled but not fully understood by today’s generation.
Racial reckoning and the Vietnam War, which claimed the lives of the country’s youngest and brightest, fueled Sly Stone’s legendary sound. He rose to fame in the late 1960s, a time when music and politics were intertwined.
The film delves into Sly’s early beginnings, his family dynamic, and his penchant for making the unimaginable imaginable. Questlove’s challenge in creating a film about Sly Stone is evident: how to encapsulate the genius and complexities of the artist within a limited runtime. The need to depict the struggles of a gifted Black artist in an era that stifled their true freedom exacerbates this challenge.
Questlove should have considered creating a series instead of a film to fully capture the dynamic story of Sly Stone and his profound impact on music. Stone was an incredibly influential artist; without him, there wouldn’t be artists like Prince or Michael Jackson.
Without him, many beloved hip-hop tracks wouldn’t exist.
The evolution of funk wouldn’t have occurred without him. Those alone are chapters to be examined.
Sly Stone defied expectations and pushed boundaries. He challenged the norms of Black American identity, navigating both self-perception and societal acceptance. His groundbreaking success stemmed from creating the first integrated, successful band. His music transcended traditional R&B, blending psychedelic elements with melodic instrumental sounds. Sly’s vision was not limited by genre; he simply aimed to create exceptional music with talented individuals.
Questlove missed an opportunity to explore the profound impact that family dynamics and gospel music had on both Sly Stone’s personal achievements and the success of his band. The substantial musical talents of Stone’s siblings, Freddie (a gifted guitarist and singer) and Rose (a talented keyboardist and singer), deserved particular attention.
Furthermore, the film does not fully explore how Stone was unafraid to have women play a prominent role in the band. Cynthia Robinson, for example, was a leading trumpeter in the music industry and remains a significant influence. Witnessing this beautiful Black woman wearing an Afro, not only playing the trumpet but taking up space in a male-dominated genre, was both beautiful and powerful. She and Stone were romantically involved, and Robinson sadly passed away from cancer in 2015 before Questlove could delve deeper into their relationship. She was also a gifted vocalist.
Many prominent superstars, like Stone, loved women. At the height of his fame, Stone was a genuine sex symbol. His relationships with women could have been their own cinematic study. Although drug use damaged his relationships, he had deep admiration and trust for his sister Rose and for Robinson. One wonders how much his relationship with his mother influenced these connections.
Questlove’s interviews with bassist Larry Graham and drummer Greg Errico are the highlights. The two had a front-row seat to Stone’s musical evolution and wouldn’t have had the careers they had if it weren’t for being in the band. The love they have for Stone is unmatched.
One also is troubled by Stone’s drug use. Many gifted artists (you see a bit of this when Questlove interviews D’Angelo about the pitfalls of fame) feel the need to fritter their careers to drug addiction. Part of him just got worn out from being what everyone thought he needed to be or wanted him to be. Sylvester Stewart, the inquisitive musician striving to explore the limits of music, no longer existed. He was replaced by a guy that just hid behind drugs to kill the noise – the noise of the record companies pushing him to reproduce the magic.
Sadly, it’s a noise and disease that still affects modern-day Black artists who don’t want to do the dance. They just leave the industry, often hiding out in drugs and alcohol or just disappearing. There also was a mile-long list of bad business decisions that robbed him of his catalog.
Questlove did a fantastic job covering the start of Stone’s professional career, including his DJ days and early production, but more time should have been dedicated to exploring Stone’s catalog.
For instance, Stone’s debut album, “A Whole New Thing,” with songs like “Underdog” and “If This Room Could Talk,” showcases his talent for creating harmony, melody, and funk. While considered experimental at the time, the album’s title clearly announced Stone’s intention to shake things up.
The subsequent album boasted the hit single “Dance to the Music,” which became a frequently sampled hip-hop track. Notably, the gospel-infused “Higher” evolved into a core component of Sly and the Family Stone’s live shows. Although the ingenuity of converting a church call-and-response into a single is clear, the album version is more melodic. Questlove could have investigated the evolution of this song, particularly given its vibrant energy in the renowned Woodstock footage. This was a missed opportunity to provide greater depth and insight for music enthusiasts.
Sly and The Family Stone’s album “Life” and its single of the same name showcase a shift in musical style. The single “M’Lady” features prominent harmonies that influenced groups like Earth, Wind & Fire, LTD, and The Bar-Kays, highlighting an opportunity for Questlove to delve into a deeper musical discussion. Stone’s musical exploration and unwillingness to be confined to a genre ultimately led to his downfall. Furthermore, his refusal to participate in interviews robs the audience from getting his perspective. Hopefully, he will one day agree to a musical conversation. (Questlove used older interviews to insert his voice).
The takeaway from “Sly Lives!” is that the industry feared Stone’s potential. Like Icarus, he was flying too high. Had he been allowed to soar, he would have surpassed them, reaching even more uncharted heights. This beautiful, strong Black man had the power to captivate audiences of all ages, potentially leading them too far from the industry’s grasp. Perhaps this became his fear; if he truly embraced his freedom, what would it feel like?
The Roots Crew’s live performances and genre-blending style clearly reflect Questlove’s passion for music and Stone’s influence. This documentary serves as a wonderful introduction for newer music lovers who may enjoy Stone’s sound but are unfamiliar with his background.