SLY LIVES! Documentary SUNDANCE Review! A Celebratory Look Into A Genius of an Artist

 

written by  Evan Jackson

The burden of Black genius isn’t pressure its privilege. As some of the greatest artists in music from each decade chuckle at the thought of Questlove’s penultimate question “Do you believe in the concept of the Black genius?” it serves a dual perspective: introspection on their own artistry and how Sly single handily broke the model of how artists are seen. Questlove is the filmmaker behind this classic documentary of Sly Stone. Sly developed Sly and the Family Stone to be one of the most eclectic bands setting up timeless hits. I’ve always known the band but no the man behind it. Questlove seems to have an endless hunger of storytelling Black musician journeys. Winning an Oscar for his documentary “Summer of Soul”  Questlove continues in this vein with a closer look at Sly. Not only through his life, aftermath of success but asking his peers and many artists influenced by him his overall impact. 

  Sly Lives:aka The Burden of Black Genius made its world premiere on January 23rd,2025 at the Sundance Film Festival. It is set to premiere on Hulu and Disney + on February 13,2025. There was a heavy emphasis on the burden of Black genius and rightfully so. In the funk and musical era of Sly’s time he was one of the first superstars. The way he did it was unconventional at the time too with his Family Stone being a mixed group of white and Black, male and female. Even though his reach and talent was widespread, the burden of Black genius at that time was overlooked. In today’s age Black genius is celebrated, sought out and by the power of the people celebrated when they see it doesn’t get its shine. 

  Questlove rightfully enshrines Sly as one of the greatest to do it while showing the crushing reality that he’s never really gotten his due. Especially in his era. Sly had become a star and it was obvious that he felt the heat of the limelight. Being questioned about his artistic choices thst his white peers were not subject to. This pressure lead to his drug use, unfortunately which contributed to him and his legacy fading away. Questlove does not allow this to tarnish Sly’s legacy while showing his musical accomplishments & innovations but uses it as a reason for him to be forgotten. The pressure has gotten to Sly but through this documentary and Questlove showing the impact he’s had on music even to this day exemplifies we live in the privilege of Black genius because Sly took the arrows for us. The scrutiny, the over looked contributions and even the criticisms were not Sly’s concerns. Pouring his heart into his music and letting his life live through the music has made every artist a little more free and especially Black artists to have the agency to let their Black genius breathe and thrive. Questlove brings life to Sly’s legacy and chronicles another musical journey while taking a look a the societal pressures with being a Black genius.