SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden Of Black Genius) Is More Relevant Than Ever As It Uncovers The Price Of Fame And Black Excellence

The 1960s was a time filled with hippies, belt bottoms, Motown, technicolor, and the Beatles. It was also a time for revolutionary band Sly & The Family Stone to enter the scene with hits such as “Everyday People,” “Family Affair,” and “Dance To The Music.” The band had a swinging psychedelic funky tune that garnered a huge fan base and inspired many hip-hop legends in years to come. Questlove’s newest documentary SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden Of Black Genius) follows the band’s rise and fall from fame, particularly focusing on frontman Sly Stone, and opening a conversation about the burden behind the success of Black artists. 

Using archival footage, interviews, and photos, the documentary is visually stunning and captures that 60s soul that makes you want to bop your head and sing along. Stone’s charisma in the old footage just leaps off the screen, which brought a smile to my face because you can tell how pure his heart was. The documentary sets out to paint Stone as a multifaceted human being rather than strictly focusing on his success. I often feel like most music documentaries don’t really talk too deeply about the issues or controversy or even provide a different narrative than just a “tortured soul.” I liked learning about what was going through his head at the time of all this rushing fame. 

Whether you’re familiar with the band or not, it’s undeniable that they created magic together that continues to be celebrated. The documentary is a good starting point for anyone curious about the band’s roots and how they became as famous as they did. What the documentary does further than just provide the facts of their fame is broadens the conversation about an unforeseen pressure placed on Black artists to succeed. I was completely invested in hearing the opinions on this topic because it’s one that I feel remains relevant. A moment that stood out to me was how the band’s debut album was not successful because it wasn’t something people could understand the way Stone wanted them too. His manager had told him that they need a hit-record and it needs to be “simple.” This prompted the birth of “Dance To The Music,” which became a massive hit. 

This idea of pleasing and entertaining an audience rather than perhaps educating them through art rings true to the current conversation about Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show performance. The commentary within the lyrics, the choreography, the imagery, and Samuel L. Jackson’s portrayal of Uncle Sam, all formulate a powerful message in today’s political climate, yet others claimed the performance to be “too boring.” Even Outkast’s line “Ya’ll don’t wanna hear me, you just want to dance” in “Hey-Ya!” talks about the same topic. There’s so much pressure for Black artists to succeed and check all the boxes that society places onto them. In an archival interview, Stone spoke about how Black artists have to work harder to even be on the same level as their white peers. Once they reach that success, dealing with the fame has to also be tenfold greater. This was something Stone was seemingly able to achieve on the outside, but struggled internally with. Stone had to constantly be on top of making the hits and staying relevant, but he couldn’t keep up and it led him to a downward spiral. It happened with Prince, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and many more Black artists who came after. This is an important conversation that needs to continue to be discussed. 

This point is also carried out once we get into the details of Stone’s drug use and how it ripped him apart. He would show up to shows late, sometimes not at all, and other times he would create tension with band members who eventually left. It’s quite emotional to hear the battles he had to go through and how the media treated him. Instead of genuinely asking how a person could get to that point, they wanted to make him a spectacle or be a token spokesperson for what he went through, even more so when the cultural shift on drugs came into play.

I do wish we could’ve had more of his direct experience, but like the documentary states, he’s now a normal 81-year-old Black grandpa living a very normal life. Instead, we get band members sharing insight on the fame and all the troubles that came along. I admired how they talked so fondly about their time together as a band while also displaying their true emotions as things started to change drastically. His kids also talked about their relationships with him and how they’ve mended them, which was touching. The ending sequence celebrates Stone as a man who “lives” — a beautiful sentiment to honor what he offered to music despite his challenges. 

SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) offers a nuanced portrayal of Sly Stone, focusing not just on his rise to fame, but on the personal and societal struggles that shaped his journey. The documentary is informative, groovy, emotional, and important in its messaging by highlighting the pressures Black artists face to succeed. It also celebrates Stone's legacy, offering a reflective and poignant tribute to his music and personal battles. 

SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) premieres February 13 on Hulu.