James Brown Documentary Set To Premiere This February On A+E
James Brown performing in Hamburg in 1973.
By: Joshua Martin
James Brown, the Godfather of Soul and one of the most influential singers of the 20th century, will be immortalized once again with a new four part documentary series set to air on A&E in February.
The Deborah Riley-Draper (The Legacy of Black Wallstreet) directed film, James Brown: Say It Loud will premiere over the course of two nights on February 19th & 20th starting at 8 p.m. ET/PT. British musician Mick Jagger (Rolling Stones), who is featured in the film, will serve as the Executive Producer. Jager also produced the 2014 Brown documentary Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown. In a 2022 press release announcing Say It Loud, Jagger discussed the influence Brown had on his own musical journey.
“He … inspired me from the beginning and was deeply committed to the Civil Rights movement. I have always admired James and learned so much from him. I look forward to bringing the series to life.”
The four-part documentary will explore the innovative, influential, and complex life and legacy of the “Hardest Working-Man in Show Business” through interviews, never before seen archival footage and the use of his well respected discography.
“It’s hard for me to think about my dad as one of the most important Black men in America because he was my dad.”
James Brown: Say It Loud will spotlight how “Soul Brother No. 1” went from being a delinquent to becoming a cultural force of nature and bonafide superstar through his lyrics, movements and style. A style that highlighted Black pride and shifted how the country viewed Black masculinity. Questlove and his Roots bandmate Tariq “Black Thought'' Trotter also are among the executive producers on the project.
“I love two things he brought to the table were two taboo words: funk and Black.”
The four hour presentation will allow viewers an in-depth look at how Brown handled his personal demons and external injustices while evolving to be one the greatest artists of his generation.
A preview trailer for James Brown: Say It Loud, featuring snippets of interviews with Jagger, Al Sharpton, Questlove and others is below:
Sneak Peek: Documentary Event "James Brown: Say It Loud" Premieres 2/19 and 2/20
Other interviews and performances in the documentary will include one of Funk and R&B’s most notorious bassists Bootsy Collins, Hip Hop Icon LL Cool J, Chuck D of the rap group Public Enemy, song writer and film producer Dallas Austin and more.
News of the documentary was first announced in February 2022, it was initially set to debut on May 3rd of 2023, which would have been James Brown’s 90th birthday.
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Email: Joshua@247LCTV.com