What's Good Y'all! Happy Black History Month! I LOVE Black History Month Y'all!!! If you haven't figured it out by now I am a huge history buff! I think it's so important to know about the past in order to know where you are going in the present and future. With that being said here are some great documentaries I think you should this Black History Month!
I love love love the Little Richard Documentary. When you think of people in history who rarely get their flowers, Little Richard comes to mind for me. What an amazing, beautiful, complex individual. He paved the way for so many artists and what hurt me most to see is how he was in fact the originator and innovator but history rarely reflects that. Was it because of how he looked or his sexuality, maybe a little of both but the reality is he was the ONE and this documentary beautifully gave him his long overdue flowers.
Donna Summer was a beautiful spirit. I really loved this documentary, it came from the perspective of Donna Summer but also from those who knew her best, family, friends etc. You know quite often we do label Donna Summer as this major sex symbol during the disco era but this documentary really showed that she was so much more than that. She was a character, it was as If she was putting on a theatrical show. She was a mother, writer, performer, storyteller. The documentary highlighted both her flaws and triumphs and I just thought it was a beautiful memory her family chose to share with the world on a woman who was such an icon!
Last but certainly not least I was finally able to tune into the Luther Vandross documentary, Never Too Much. WOW what a masterpiece. I saw Luther in such a different light. A singer, performer, designer, songwriter, producer and just an all around amazing human. This documentary had me laughing, crying and wishing that as a community we had loved on Luther just a little bit more. Cherished him. I have found myself wanting to listen to Luther a lot lately, even before this documentary. Some artists I just don't think we appreciated enough and this documentary showed that. Luther Vandross was able to go out on top but what I really hated is that he was never able to go out feeling the love he truly desired. Definitely check out this documentary when you get a chance.
Another QuestLove Jawn for the books. If QuestLove is behind it, then you know this going to be done flawlessly. And it was! SLY LIVES is not only a lense into the burdens of being a Black Genius but it is also a love letter and giving flowers to one of the most trailblazing artists and groups of all time. What I loved so much about this documentary is that I truly had no clue just how influential Sly and The Family Stone have been throughout all these years. Inspiring a multitude of artists and generations after them. Changing the way we look at music and groups.I thought this documentary was so beautiful because not only did it feature other Black artists we consider to be genius' in their own right but they shone a light on what being a black genius truly means how it can play with your mental health trying to be Black and Amazing. One of my favorite quotes within the documentary was from one of the band mates in Family Stone. He said "While I was a white guy trying to be black, Sly was a black guy trying to be everything!" Throughout the documentary you saw that, felt that. Times have changed but influence remains, Thank you Sly for all your contributions, and make sure y'all watch this ASAP!
This month thus far has been black AF! I'm enjoying not only the content but the energy of blackness this season. We all we got and I look forward to us coming together and really making a difference. I hope these documentaries inspired you as much as they inspired me.
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