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SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) backdrop
SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) logo
2025·Documentary·1h 52m
7.1
★
An examination of the life and legacy of Sly & The Family Stone – the groundbreaking band led by the charismatic Sly Stone – that captures the band's reign while shedding light on the burden that comes with success for Black artists in America.
Directed by Questlove
music documentary
african american
IMDB
IMDB
N/A

Cast

Sly Stone
Sly Stone
Self
André 3000
André 3000
Self
George Clinton
George Clinton
Self
D'Angelo
D'Angelo
Self
Vernon Reid
Vernon Reid
Self
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan
Self
Nile Rodgers
Nile Rodgers
Self
Rose Stone
Rose Stone
Self
Greg Errico
Greg Errico
Self
Cynthia Robinson
Cynthia Robinson
Self (archive footage)
Larry Graham
Larry Graham
Self
Q-Tip
Q-Tip
Self

Crew

Questlove
Questlove
Director
Questlove
Questlove
Executive Producer
Common
Common
Executive Producer
Jon Kamen
Jon Kamen
Executive Producer
Dave Sirulnick
Dave Sirulnick
Executive Producer

Popular Reviews

25 reviews
Loudon Wainwright III
Loudon Wainwright III
10.0★ · 08/13/25
SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)
Larry might be the goat
Larry might be the goat
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Jacob Dickens
Jacob Dickens
7.1★ · 08/06/25
SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)
Questlove is really great at this even in much more traditional bounds compared to Summer of Soul.
Questlove is really great at this even in much more traditional bounds compared to Summer of Soul.
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David Clausson
David Clausson
10.0★ · 08/03/25
SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)
This one had a profound impact on me. I knew and loved Sly's music, but didn't realise how deep his impact was on ALL artists I've listened to during different parts of my life. Prince is my god, I've worshipped at the altar of George Clinton, Janet, Jam and Lewis, Chaka, LL, Q-tip, D'angelo at different parts of my life. Such a moving portrait of a man and the state of the black genius in america and the world. Loved how Questlove put this one together, giving us just the right amount of fluff, politics, love, hardships... watch it and get educated.
This one had a profound impact on me. I knew and loved Sly's music, but didn't realise how deep his impact was on ALL artists I've listened to during different parts of my life. Prince is my god, I've worshipped at the altar of George Clinton, Janet, Jam and Lewis, Chaka, LL, Q-tip, D'angelo at different parts of my life. Such a moving portrait of a man and the state of the black genius in america and the world. Loved how Questlove put this one together, giving us just the right amount of fluff, politics, love, hardships... watch it and get educated.
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Spencer Hamilton
Spencer Hamilton
SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)
Rest in peace to a goat
Rest in peace to a goat
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carvelli3
carvelli3
5.0★ · 04/08/25
SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)
Well made, well put together music doc that outlines pretty nicely just how important a figure in music history Sly was.
Well made, well put together music doc that outlines pretty nicely just how important a figure in music history Sly was.
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SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) (2025) | Flick