Music has been the heartbeat of the Black community for ages. Our melodic sounds have traversed history, from the rhythmic chants of pre-colonial celebrations to soulful Negro spirituals and more contemporary genres, touching every facet of the planet and connecting our people through its lively pulsations. But what happens when creators of such music are burdened with the unbearable challenges that accompany their success? The new Hulu documentary, ‘Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius),’ answers this question with a deep dive into the life and legacy of Sly Stone, the frontman of the renowned funk band Sly and the Family Stone.

The film discusses the band’s unique meteoric rise to fame in the 1960s, their chart-topping run through the 70s, and Sly’s ultimate fadeout from the spotlight due to the heavy and often invisible burdens weighing on successful Black artists. ‘Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)’ features guest appearances by legendary recording artists, including D’Angelo, Chaka Khan, George Clinton, Andre 3000, producer Clive Davis, Sly’s band members, and his family, adding to the rich tapestry of perspectives that capture the band’s history and intimate struggles in the music industry. 

The film is produced by Academy Award winner Joseph Patel and Derik Murray, and directed by Academy Award winner Questlove. Questlove also serves as executive producer alongside Amit Dey, Brian Gersh, and Shawn Gee. Additional executive producers include Zarah Zohlman, Common, Derek Dudley, Shelby Stone, Ron Weisner, Paul Gertz, Kent Wingerak, Ali Pejman, Jon Keman, and Dave Sirulnick.

Formed in San Francisco, California in 1966, Sly and the Family Stone was a diverse, intergalactically talented band credited as one of the key catalysts in the creation of funk, soul, rock, R&B, and psychedelic music. They were also the first major American funk/rock group to have an integrated band consisting of different races and genders during an era still tainted with the legacy of Jim Crow, while on the cusp of new racial possibilities with the passage of the Civil Rights Act (1964) and Voting Rights Act (1965). The band was led by Sly Stone (real name Sylvester Stewart), the multi-talented singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer. Additional band members included his brother Freddie Stone, his sister Rose Stone, Cynthia Robinson, Greg Errico, Jerry Martini, and Larry Graham.

The band is widely known for history-making hits like “Dance to the Music” (1967), “Everyday People” (1968), and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” (1969), proving to be a group capable of shattering both musical and social boundaries and uniting people across differences, all through the power of exceptional Black musicianship. Unfortunately, as ‘Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)’ reveals, even the genius of Black musicianship comes with its challenges. The group began to disintegrate in the mid-1970s, ultimately ending in 1987 as Sly's personal battles took their toll.

Be sure to check out this incredible documentary that honors the legacy of one of America's most enchanting bands in music history. ‘Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)’ is now streaming on Hulu.

–Dominique Young