Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and Hulu have shared the first teaser for the anticipated documentary helmed by the Philadelphia native exploring the life and legacy of Sly Stone. In the quick preview of SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) commentary from rapper and flutist André 3000 provides most of the dialogue.
“He opened the portal,” exclaimed the former Outkast rhymer in the clip. “When it came together, his sound, it was so future.”
The documentary is set to premiere in January at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival before making its debut on Hulu the following month. Additionally, guests featured in the work include D’Angelo, Chaka Khan, Q-Tip, Nile Rogers, George Clinton, and more as well as family members Sylvette Phunne Robinson, Novena Carmel, and Sylvester Stewart Jr.
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, director of SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius), an official selection of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.
Courtesy of Sundance Institute/Christian Germoso
The official description for SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) reads as follows:
“SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) examines the life and legacy of Sly & The Family Stone, the groundbreaking band led by the charismatic and enigmatic Sly Stone. This film captures the rise, reign, and subsequent fadeout of one of pop music’s most influential artists, but also shines a light on how Black artists in America navigate the unseen burden that comes with their success. Drawing from his own personal experience and relationships, Questlove tells an empathetic human story about the cost of genius, reframing the way we all engage with pop culture.”
Questlove attends the WSJ. Magazine 2024 Innovator Awards on October 29, 2024 in New York City.
Noam Galai/Getty Images for WSJ. Magazine Innovators Awards
The film was first announced in 2021 as Questlove’s second directorial project following the acclaimed Summer of Soul documentary which premiered at Sundance that same year and earned the 53-year-old a handful of trophies including the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award in the US Documentary Competition at the festival and a Peabody Award.
“It goes beyond saying that Sly’s creative legacy is in my DNA,” explained the musician at the time. “It’s a black musician’s blueprint… to be given the honor to explore his history and legacy is beyond a dream for me.”
Take a look at the first teaser for SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) above.
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