Skip to content

Get News & Updates

Subscribe

News RSS

Questlove To Direct New Sly Stone Documentary

AHMIR “QUESTLOVE” THOMPSON TO DIRECT SLY STONE FEATURE DOCUMENTARY

MRC Non-Fiction Partners with Network Entertainment, Two One Five Entertainment, Stardust Films and ID8 Multimedia for a Documentary Film from “Summer of Soul” Director about Legendary Artist Sly Stone

MRC Non-Fiction today announced an “Untitled Sly Stone” project that follows the story of groundbreaking artist Sly Stone, founding member of Sly and the Family Stone. Four-time GRAMMY® Award-winner Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson will direct with his Two One Five Entertainment along with producing partners Zarah Zohlman and Shawn Gee. Oscar®and Emmy® Award-winner Common will executive produce via Stardust Films with Derek Dudley and Shelby Stone executive producing via ID8 Multimedia. Network Entertainment’s Derik Murray and Brian Gersh will serve as producers.

The untitled documentary follows the story of the influential artist, king of funk, and fashion icon Sly Stone, a musician who was breaking all the rules at a time when doing so was extremely challenging, even dangerous. The pressure of explosive mainstream pop success and the responsibility of representing Black America forced him to walk the fine line of impossible expectations.

Said Questlove, “It goes beyond saying that Sly’s creative legacy is in my DNA….it’s a black musician’s blueprint….to be given the honor to explore his history and legacy is beyond a dream for me.” 

“Sly’s influence on popular music and culture as a whole is immeasurable, and what his career represents is a parable that transcends time and place,” said Amit Dey, Head of MRC Non-Fiction. “Questlove’s vision, sensitivity and reverence brings the urgency that Sly’s story and music deserve, and we’re excited to be working with him to bring Sly’s story to life.”   

Thompson’s “Summer of Soul (… Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised)” landed the 2021 Sundance Documentary Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award and secured a record-breaking distribution deal with Searchlight Pictures and Hulu. In addition, the accomplished musician and The New York Times bestselling author executive produced AMC’s acclaimed documentary series “Hip-Hop: The Songs That Shook America,” served as the executive music producer and composer on the A&E miniseries “Roots,” and co-produced the Grammy Award-winning “Original Broadway Cast Recording of Hamilton.”

MRC Non-Fiction’s first feature length documentary “The Sparks Brothers,” Edgar Wright’s musical odyssey about the singular career of brothers Ron & Russell Mael, had its world premiere at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival and received glowing reviews.

About MRC Non-Fiction
MRC Non-Fiction works with a diverse group of artists to develop, finance and produce feature documentaries and docuseries for global audiences who seek enduring and definitive storytelling. The slate includes: “The Sparks Brothers,” the critically acclaimed debut documentary from filmmaker Edgar Wright (“Baby Driver”), chronicling the 50-year career of influential American duo Sparks, which premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival; and “The Last Rider,” which tells the story of legendary cyclist Greg LeMond, from acclaimed director Alex Holmes. For more information, please visit www.mrcentertainment.com.

Sly & The Family Stone [RE]DISCOVER Playlist At Amazon Music

Sly & The Family Stone REDISCOVER Playlist on Amazon Music

Sly & The Family Stone are featured at Amazon Music for Black History Month. Listen to their [RE]DISCOVER Playlist here! https://amzn.to/3aVHSSz

Legendary funk, rock and psychedelic records aside — in the ’60s they were the FIRST band with a lineup of men and women, racially integrated. The Bay area powerhouse laid the foundation for rock and funk bands for decades to come, bringing a uniquely vibrant energy during a time that truly needed it.

Sly & The Family Stone REDISCOVER Playlist on Amazon Music

Sly & The Family Stone Featured In ‘Summer Of Soul’ Documentary

Sly & The Family Stone in Summer Of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised)

The new documentary Summer Of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised), featuring rare live footage of Sly & The Family Stone, will be available at the virtual Sundance Film Festival at Sundance.org.

In 1969, during the same summer as Woodstock, a different music festival took place 100 miles away. More than 300,000 people attended the summer concert series known as the Harlem Cultural Festival. It was filmed, but after that summer, the footage sat in a basement for 50 years. It has never been seen. Until now.

Summer Of Soul is a stunning unearthed treasure destined to become a pillar of American music and African American history. In his striking debut as a filmmaker, the legendary musician Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson presents this transporting documentary—part concert film, part historical record—about an epic event that radiated the wholesale reevaluation of Black history, culture, fashion, and music.

“Sly & The Family Stone, Live At Woodstock” 2LP To Be Released For Record Store Day 2019

190301_Sly_RSD_feat

Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, gears up for Record Store Day with another stellar assortment of exclusive releases on vinyl and cassette, to be released Saturday, April 13, 2019.

Record Store Day was conceived in 2007 at a gathering of independent record store owners and employees as a regular celebration of the unique culture surrounding nearly 1400 independently owned record stores in the U.S. and thousands of similar stores around the world. This year, Pearl Jam has been named as Record Store Day’s Official Ambassador.

To locate your nearest participating RSD shop, please visit http://www.recordstoreday.com/Stores

Legacy Recordings’ Record Store Day 2019 releases include:

Sly & The Family Stone, Live At Woodstock: Sunday, August 17, 1969 (2LP – Previously Unreleased On Vinyl)

Despite going on at 3:30 in the morning, Sly & The Family Stone electrified a generation with an explosive set at the Woodstock Music & Arts Festival on August 17, 1969. Five decades later, this infectiously energetic performance makes its vinyl debut, offering powerful renditions of classics like “Dance To The Music,” “Everyday People,” “I Want To Take You Higher” and more.

Sly Stone Authorized Documentary In Development

Sly Stone

Network Entertainment Secures Exclusive Rights and Announces Start of Production on Sly Stone Feature Documentary

Network Media Group Inc. and Network Entertainment Inc. are pleased to announce they have acquired the exclusive rights to produce a feature documentary on the life and enduring legacy of legendary pop-funk-rock star Sylvester Stewart, better known as Sly Stone. Production on the film has commenced with the filming of an exclusive interview with the traditionally reclusive Sly.

“In the annals of pop music, certain artists are more than just innovators and more than just icons. Certain artists are avatars – the manifestation of an idea,” said Network founder and C.E.O., Derik Murray. “For Sly Stone, that idea was to create a diverse band that embraced a kaleidoscope of musical and cultural styles that stand unparalleled to this day.”

“This collaboration with legendary artist Sly Stone will deliver an epic and important film in the history of popular music,” stated veteran television producer, music manager and Co-Executive Producer Ron Weisner. “After refusing the spotlight for decades, Sly has finally opened up to share his amazing story on camera about everything: life, love and music.”

Sly Stone’s long time representative and Co-Executive Producer, Robert Allan, added “Sly felt it was the right time for him to return to the spotlight and share his incredible journey with the world, and Sly is confident that Derik Murray and Network Entertainment are the best fit to artfully and respectfully tell his legendary story.”

Sly Stone will trace the musician’s journey from child prodigy to pop music revolutionary to one of music’s most colorful recluses. Classic performances, television interviews and an all-star cast of interviews will bolster the personal, professional and historical dimensions of this epic tale.

Cinematically shot with a distinct visual aesthetic, the feature-length documentary blends artful B-roll with meticulously sourced archival footage and photos, combined with a stunning soundtrack that includes a robust array of Sly’s iconic songs.

UTA will sell domestic and international rights to the film.