The Godfather of Soul is coming to A&E in a documentary directed by award-winning filmmaker and prolific documentarian Debrorah Riley Draper (The Legacy of Black Wall Street, Versailles ’73: American Runway Revolution) . “James Brown: Say It Loud” is a two-day event that delves into the immeasurable musical and cultural impact of the entertainment icon. In addition to Draper, the documentary is executive produced by legendary artist Mick Jagger, Academy Award® winner Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson, Tariq ‘Black Thought’ Trotter, Peter Afterman, David Blackman, Victoria Pearman, Shawn Gee, Zarah Zohlman, Charlie Cohen, and Mari Keiko Gonzalez. The docu-series examines Brown’s incredible life that was as innovative as it was influential.
The two-night special explores Brown’s legacy through exclusive interviews, never-before-seen archival footage and his beloved music catalog. “James Brown: Say it Loud” premieres Monday, February 19 and Tuesday, February 20 at 8PM ET/PT on A&E.
Across four hours, “James Brown: Say it Loud” traces the incredible trajectory of Brown’s life and career from a 7th grade drop-out arrested for robbery in the Jim Crow-era South to an entertainment legend whose groundbreaking talent and unique perspective catapulted him to become a cultural force whose words, songs, style and moves inspired musical revolutions and molded a nation’s view of Black Pride and Black masculinity.
Consistently facing obstacles and unbelievable odds, the documentary details how
Brown persevered through decades of personal demons, racial injustice, and career setbacks to find redemption and become one of, if not the, most celebrated and influential artists of the 20th century.
Featuring never-before-seen archives plus interviews with friends, family, musicians and proteges including Mick Jagger, Questlove, Bootsy Collins, LL Cool J, The Rev. Al Sharpton, Chuck D, Dallas Austin, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, his children Deanna, Yamma and Larry Brown, and many more, “James Brown: Say It Loud” is a definitive look at a complicated life and a reflection on the immense impact Brown continues to have on music and culture today. “James Brown: Say It Loud” is directed by Deborah Riley Draper and produced for A&E by Inaudible Films in association with Polygram Entertainment and GroupM Motion Entertainment. Peter Afterman serves as Executive Producer for Inaudible Films along with Executive Producer Mari Keiko Gonzales and Producer Sarah Haber. Executive Producers for Jagged Entertainment are Mick Jagger and Victoria Pearman.
Watch a preview of the docu-series here.
“James Brown: Say it Loud” premieres Monday, February 19 and Tuesday, February 20 at 8PM ET/PT on A&E.
Join the conversation using #JamesBrownBio and @AETV.
The series will be available on demand and to stream on the A&E App and aetv.com
This post was curated by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire. Follow Nsenga on social media @Ntellectual.
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