Rating: ★★★★★
After watching Sly Lives, I realized that Sly’s influence is even more massive than I thought. His DNA lives on in the rhythms, harmonies, and rebelliousness of modern Black music and all that came after him. He was blending gospel, soul, funk, rock, and psychedelic before genre-crossing was even a thing. Artists like Chaka Khan and Rufus, the Ohio Players, and P-Funk all emerged in the wake of his innovation. Building on the foundation laid by Ray Charles, Sly was also one of the first true multi-instrumentalists who wrote, produced, and performed his own music, setting the stage for future generations of multi-talented icons like Prince, D’Angelo, and beyond. I didn’t realize how revolutionary Sly was until now, being a crossover artist in 1969 with a racially and gender-integrated band singing about race, politics, and love on the same stage.
Sly Lives explores the rise, reign, and fade out of one of music’s most groundbreaking pop careers, while revealing what it really truly means to be a Black genius in an industry that often takes more than it gives. It highlights the immense pressure placed on Sly to maintain his crossover audience, while also being a voice for his race during the Civil Rights and Black Power movements. It really pulls you into Sly’s world with such intimacy that you can feel the weight of expectations placed on him to be unwavering, politically palatable, and faultlessly perfect. This documentary gives the audience a chance to see Sly not just as a mythical icon, but as a human being navigating an unimaginable load.
The archival footage used in this documentary is so crisp that it makes you feel like you’re experiencing Sly and the Family Stone in their prime in real time! The film is packed with so many gems we’ve never seen or heard before, like early audio footage of Sly and his siblings in their gospel band in 1956. I had no idea Sly had a gospel record and was a part of a COGIC/Pentecostal church! This moment hit home for me because I too attended a COGIC church growing up. Then seeing actual video footage of Larry Graham playing in clubs with his mom before joining the band! I didn’t even know that footage existed! Even in their early days you could tell they were destined for greatness. Another one of my most favorite scenes shows the band in the middle of their creative process building a song from scratch. You can see their raw ideas turn into magic right before your eyes! Even the soundtrack to the documentary contains some rare alternate versions of some of the band’s biggest songs!
Unlike some documentaries that rely on second-hand commentary or speculation, this one is grounded in firsthand accounts from the people who actually lived it, from bandmates, family members, to fellow Black Geniuses who truly understand Sly on a deeper level. One of my favorite parts of the documentary is when director Questlove asked actual Black Geniuses what Black Genius means to them. One of the interviews that stood out most to me is one of Sly’s musical children, D’Angelo. It was enlightening to hear him reflect on how Black artists have to be exceptional just to break into mainstream audiences and to hear his perspective on the weight of fame, being that he is known for taking decade long hiatuses from the music industry.
This documentary is perfect for music lovers who live for those rare, behind-the-scenes gems. It’s also a must-watch for anyone who is navigating the tension between staying authentic and appealing to the masses. It’s honest, it’s soulful, and it’s layered with emotion and insight that lingers. You can feel that this documentary was made by someone who grew up under Sly’s influence and wanted to honor his legacy in the best way. Major props to Questlove for making sure Sly’s story is told both tastefully and truthfully. If you haven’t yet, stream it on Hulu or Disney Plus ASAP! And if you’re new to Sly, it’s never too late because his music truly stands the test of time. I would recommend you to listen to the There’s A Riot Goin On album first. It’s one of the most raw and innovative albums ever created!
Thanks for reading! Share some of your most favorite Sly and the Family Stone songs below!