James Brown Documentary Series Announced For 2023
James Brown will be the subject of Say It Loud, a new four-part documentary series set to arrive to 2023.
James Brown: Say It Loud will be directed by Deborah Riley Draper and is executive produced by Mick Jagger, Questlove, and Black Thought, among others. The series will explore Brown’s legacy through interviews with friends, family, and collaborators as well as never-before-seen archival footage.
In a statement, Mick Jagger paid tribute to James Brown saying, “He was a brilliant performer who 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.”
“The life of James Brown is significant not only to understand his immense musical impact, which inspires us and other artists to this day, but also for the deep and lasting impression he has had on American culture,” added Questlove and Black Thought. “Brown’s life is a crucial and timely story of struggle, redemption, and self-identity and we are honored to have the chance to share it.”
A statement from A&E says that the series will cover, “the intense highs and lows of James Brown’s life and career from a 7th-grade drop-out arrested for armed robbery in the Jim Crow era South to an entertainment legend whose words, songs, style and moves inspired musical revolutions and moulded 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 the most celebrated and influential artists of the 20th century. James Brown: Say It Loud is a definitive look at a complicated life and a reflection on the immense impact Brown continues to have as a musical and cultural trailblazer.”