And the church, you know, really wanted to, again, blackball them because it was as controversial - I mean, the same way that we look at Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B's "WAP" - that's how controversial the church felt that gospel singers singing in secular environments was, like, it was a sin against God. GROSS: If you're just joining us, my guest is Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson. Then you go to Gladys Knight - well, David Ruffin and Stevie Wonder is considering it. What Are the Black History Month Colors and What Do They Mean? B. Like, what did he promised them? Eating is a necessity, of course, but soul food is made to be savored and enjoyed. Of course, not having - like, it could have just started with I have the phone number of the Staple Singers. ZTAzODI5ZWI5NzlmZTM5NWExN2FmZDZiNTkxZTMwMDNmZDI3NTBlYTFiNWY5 Festival: A Documentary (2015) Last Hippie Standing (2001) Music Is My Drug: Psychedelic Trance (1996) Spark: A Burning Man Story (2014) Woodstock (1970) My Generation (2000) Psytrance: A Way of Life (2014) Raving Iran (2016) This Was Tomorrow (2015) Under The African Sky (2009) It's All Gone Pete Tong (2004) When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Not much longer would you be mine - not much longer would you be mine. So let's hear the Edwin Hawkins Singers doing "Oh Happy Day" from the film "Summer Of Soul.". GROSS: That's the Edwin Hawkins Singers performing at the Harlem Cultural Festival in 1969, featured in the new documentary about that festival. All rights reserved. So I'm sure he knows now that he's in the afterlife. Festival: A Documentary 2018 TV-MA 1 h 25 m IMDb RATING 7.7 /10 26 YOUR RATING Rate Documentary Music When 100k people descend on a music festival weekend, these are the stories they bring with them. It's just adding on and adding on and adding on. Selma director Ava DuVernay takes on the prison system in this striking documentary, which won a BAFTA and a Peabody Award. And she seems like so happy to be there. Tens of thousands of people attended, and some of the most important names in music performed, including Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Nina Simone and B.B. QUESTLOVE: Yes, in my heart, at the age of 50, I could say that I genuinely love every type of music you ever present to me. And he had gotten rid of The Experience. Well what about plans for tomorrow? Simones personal struggles are also discussed, from her husbands abuse to her bipolar diagnosis, which she didnt receive until the 1980s. Because he's such an important figure in all of this. Tip: Its best to get into the city early to beat the crowds, so you can get a head start of the Creole eats and waterfront views. That was the big drama. Its somewhat like our very own, present-day Woodstock. The 2014 documentary Nas: Time is Illmatic not only dives into the themes, production, and legacy of the groundbreaking album, but also the artist himself and the real-life stories that were turned into songs like NY State of Mind, Lifes a Bitch, and The World is Yours. Fascinating and enlightening, you wont want to miss this one. "I want to make sure Black erasure doesn't happen during my lifetime and the film was an opportunity to work towards that cause." THE EDWIN HAWKINS SINGERS: (Singing) Oh, happy day. Layovers can get pretty long. Tomorrow through Labor Day, we'll hear interviews from our archive with some of the musicians who performed at the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival and are featured in the documentary. Yjk5NmJiZDUzYjdmMDAwYTIxYjc2YTJmNmMzOGY4MTUyMTMxODA3YzU4ZTVl If you have ever wanted to see how influential Charley Pride was both in and out of country music, this short documentary is the way to go. We didn't like that. My guest, Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, has made his directorial debut with the new documentary "Summer Of Soul." The lions share of the footage seen here, in one of the best movies on Hulu, sat in a box for 50 years before being re-discovered and turned into a beautiful examination of the pivotal moment in American pop culture that was largely unknown until now. Searchlight Pictures/20th Century Studios, Questlove Discusses His Must-See New Doc, 'Summer Of Soul', Questlove's Roots: A 'Meta' Memoir Of A Lifetime In Music, Questlove Aims To Save Your Brain: 'Creativity Might Be In Jeopardy', Questlove On Prince, Doo-Wop And The Food Equivalent Of The 'Mona Lisa', 'Food Is Social Adhesive,' So Questlove Is Hosting A Virtual Potluck. NjUxMzBjZWQ3YTM0YzIxMDE5YTRhNjY5NmJkOWVlMzc5MzFhMDliNDg1YmRk With loads of never-before-scene footage, this eye-opening documentary paints a portrait of the musician that is further fleshed out with interviews with his contemporaries as well as those he influenced, making for one wild ride. Oh, happy day. We didn't go lay on a couch. In a manner that recounts a documentary like 2016's O.J. And we were hoping that they would receive us. Next, From the Horrifyingly Haunting to the Hilarious, Here Are 21 Black Horror Movies to WatchIf You Dare. The ESSENCE Festival is an annual festival where people gather for three days of music, entertainment, empowerment and culture in New Orleans, LA. Rent/Buy Summer of Soul on Amazon. This documentary celebrates Johnson while also trying to figure out who could be responsible for her untimely demise. QUESTLOVE: Still. eyJtZXNzYWdlIjoiYjNkMGY4YzY0MDUzNTM3ZTcxMDJiYjhhMGJiNzkwMDU1 Tip: Take the train to the festival because parking and traffic in Atlanta is a very painful experience. If all things Black women and a southern city are your jam, this is another go-to for your festival schedule. So, yeah, in a way it's genuine love, but in a lot of ways, it's survival. He's our grandfather. 8. And tens of thousands of people attended, mostly Black and brown. One poignant moment: Mahalia Jackson and Mavis Staples singing "Take My Hand, Precious Lord and Jesse Jackson explaining how Martin Luther King Jr. had that song on his mind before he died; King was assassinated just one year beforehand. I mean, there are plenty of artists that got blackballed or dealt with for speaking out their political views. And even after that episode came out, my family was still like, we don't care what he says. GROSS: The festival seemed to mean a lot to the people performing at it. And then theres the 2019 documentary Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool, which does an incredible job of unpacking the improbable and mythical story of the jazz pioneer. It was just more magic to me when less is more. And suddenly, all this other music is seeping into me. Sometimes we were called the Black group with the white sound. In 2023, the festival is heading towards the summer months, but that wont stop guests from enjoying the renowned VIP experience and mobilization of Black people through music across 3 different stages. Everyones learned so much about Martin Luther King Jr. Its easy to think that you know everything there is to know. Freedom Riders were young people, both Nlack and white, who traveled together on buses to challenge Jim Crow laws in the deep South. The star-studded global music festival has reunited rap duo The Clipse, musical icon Missy Elliott with Timbaland and Magoo, as well as a number of other reminiscent artists that Pharell is affiliated with. Finally, the Black Fire Documentary is a story about Family / Legacy and how Jamiah . This incredible rise to fame, as well as his tragic death just weeks before the release of his sophomore effort, Life After Death, is explored in great detail in the 2021 Netflix documentary, Biggie: I Got A Story to Tell. Purchase your tickets to any of their festival dates, year-round. From the funky, opening groove of the film's first song, Stevie Wonder's slinky jam on the Isley's Brothers' "It's Your Thing," it is obvious the new documentary Summer of Soul (or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) will be packed with little-seen, landmark live performances. But, you know, it's just beautiful to see that, you know, two generations singing together and Mahalia representing traditional gospel and Mavis representing gospel but really morphing into what they would call message music. Happy day. Mark Montgomery French 46 Followers Film Composer, Music Historian, Podcaster, and YouTuber. What's going on here? YjBhOGRmNTE0MmQzMTJjMzZhNGRlOGRjMDI1NGQyNWU5ZTI5MWNmNGIyMzM5 Strawberries and Creem in Cambridge, UK. clock CST_ NDZiMzljNjRmNTMxZjRiOGI5YzNjYWQ1MWQxYTJhMGQwNWQ2ZDhiOCIsInNp Let the sunshine in. One night we're with, you know, like, Soundgarden, the next night - or Rage Against the Machine. Essence Festival is one of the few festivals that is still held in a stadium setting and draws a crowd that loves Black music no matter if its City Girls or the Isley Brothers. Because the coolest thing in the '60s and early '70s was watching the performers do steps, you know. And so in their minds, they were sort of like, you guys are absolutely crazy to - you know, this is like a keg of dynamite. And are you ready to listen to all of the beautiful Black voices? Have you thought about how music choreography has changed and how expectations have changed about what you're going to see on stage? The evolution of Black Hollywood has a fascinating story; Black people werent cast for films at all, but today some black films make millions of dollars. GROSS: So do you think of that as code switching or as just, like, being loved by different audiences? The previous couple of Harlem Cultural Festivals were pretty small. MTc2MDNlODA2ZGZhNjM0ZWE5MjRlZDNjZjVkZTZmODVjMjg4MDdkZGZmNmZk The roster of performers representing different strains of Black and Latino music included Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Nina Simone, B.B. Now, I'd like to start with a clip of Gladys Knight performing at the festival. BLACK MUSIC SILENT DISCO 4 mar, 19h Itinerant. In watching the film, I thought about something that I've thought about a lot before, which is how much, like, music choreography has changed over the decades. The most eclectic gathering of Black people around the world is Afropunk. ZmQzMWMyZTRhZjYxZDY1NWVlZDQ2YjUyZDA0YTQ2NjBlZDE5ZGM3OTg4YzA4 The police ruled Johnsons death a suicide, but friends were so adamant that shed never do that that in 2018, the case was re-opened. And somehow, Lee got former GovernorGeorge Wallace to be interviewed for the film. And how do you color - that used to be one of our questions - how do you color a sound? Let the sunshine, let it shine. GROSS: Yeah, she sang "Mister Backlash," which is also just a very political song. N2Y2YmI0MTk3OTI4NjAyNzM2M2RjNDQ1MWUwYzEyOTIwYzA2MzEwZmQ2MDU1 Hip-hops come a long way, baby. We all know you guys are twitter.com/HSWestYorkshir, Our Founder and Director @DawnRisingUK will be on panel at this free event @TimeToPowerUp_ sharing her knowledge and experience as a black female in the industry - barriers and break through and why a programme such as #PowerUp is needed @yaw @Joe_Frankland twitter.com/_launchpadmusi, Be aware of your surroundings and drink. The esteemed producer brings together his favorite artists and some upcoming performers, to put on a sleek hip hop and R&B festival in his hometown Virginia Beach. So, of course, in 2018, 2019, I believe, I did Henry Louis Gates' "Finding Your Roots.". And so kind of rule No. Just over 27 years ago, the world lost Kurt Cobain. The festival was one year after the assassination of Martin Luther King, during the period of the Black Power movement. NWFjNjg3MzY4ZTMwNWEzZWM4N2VmOTg4ZDFlNmViZDA2ODQwMGMwMzdmZDQz Over the last few years, documentaries featuring Black musicians have showcased the talent and drive that it takes to become some of the greatest at their crafts. It can be frustrating to explain the Black experience in the United States, in part because Black history in America is comprised of so many different experiences. Your access to this site was blocked by Wordfence, a security provider, who protects sites from malicious activity. And it says in the movie that some of them were wearing, like, the Black Panther uniform of the beret and the, you know, black lapel leather jacket and everything, so you can recognize them as Panthers. Throughout the film, Thompson splices archival news footage and interviews amid the performances, turning every performance into a mini Black history lesson set to music. The festival is hosted around the world so the culture can experience Black music everywhere. Its triumphant, optimistic, and respectful of The Apollos past and hopeful for its future. The 7th Annual Black Music Honors, hosted by Grammy-winner LeToya Luckett and comedian DeRay Davis, took place in Atlanta at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center on May 19 and will premiere. So The Staple Singers was gracious enough to do two weeks of performances to sort of make up for that - make up for Aretha's absence. Isle Of Wight Angry Host. GROSS: This is FRESH AIR. GROSS: So you were unable to interview Tony Lawrence. (opens in new tab). Of course, in the history of that show, only two people can trace their slave ship and the country and sort of the area from which they came from. It is centered around the success of the American EDM festival, Electric Daisy Carnival. ZjM3MWJlZmJiNWQzNjhkZmZmMTU5MTZlY2NjMzAzM2VjOGY1YTBmYzRmMGEx YouTube Originals and Coachella have partnered to create a feature-length documentary "Coachella: 20 Years in the Desert." Watch now only on YouTube. Its a look at black culture during one of the most volatile times in U.S. history. Eventnoire is the premier platform where Black culture and events intersect connecting attendees and event organizers to the Black community. The TV veteran was approached over the years by. | by Mark Montgomery French | Festival Peak 500 Apologies, but something went wrong on our end. Oh, happy day. But Nina Simone was there way before he was, you know, from her beginnings as just like sort of a lounge singer singing Broadway standards and jazz songs and whatnot, love songs and to watch her total transformation into a political artist, like, using her voice to really express how she feels. 13 min read Music documentaries have been among the hottest and most lauded programming recently, from Peter Jackson's epic dissection of the making of The Beatles'. His new documentary is called "Summer Of Soul." Before Woodstock in 1969, there was another memorable music festival playing about 100 miles away, with all-star lineups including Sly and the Family Stone, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Stevie . M2FjNWI3NTBmZGFjY2ViNDA0ZjE0MGMwYTMwZDFhZDcxMjY0Nzg2MzE1ZWRh Under The Electric Sky (2014) This documentary actually made my heart flutter. Hearing about personal experiences straight from the source can provide a deeper understanding of how those lives were lived, which is why the following documentariesby providing insight into different aspects of the Black experiencecan help create a fuller, more complete understanding of the people around you. You're a dreamer when it works out, you're a hustler when it doesn't (laughter). Spike Lee directed this documentary about the 1963 Birmingham, Alabama church bombing that killed four Black girls. Featuring behind-the-scenes footage of the late rapper and interviews with those who knew and loved him the most, this must-watch documentary is an emotional and powerful love letter to one of the biggest victims of the East Coast/West Coast feud prevalent in the 90s rap world. And it just made me think about what it meant to the performers, you know, to be at the festival. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Related: February Is Black History Month! You may be surprised by the culinary history of many American dishes as you watch this film. The formative years of Berry Gordy Jr.s label are explored in Hitsville: The Making of Motown, a 2019 documentary that also shows how those early days at that iconic house in Detroit forever changed the landscape of American soul and the very fabric of our country, during the Civil Rights movement. on Amazon. The Harlem Cultural Festival served as a pause from the racial and civil unrest sweeping across the United States during the late 1960s including riots, the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther. But yes, you're witnessing Nina Simone at the very beginning of what is her realizing her magic powers and political activism through music. (opens in new tab), Theres a strong case to be made for 1994 being one of the best years in the history of hip hop. Between the two of us girls, you know I love you more. Like, I'm a person that believes that, you know, less is more. So that was really emotional for them to see him as a 19-year-old. She gave it to us good. var lsjQuery = jQuery;lsjQuery(document).ready(function() { if(typeof lsjQuery.fn.layerSlider == "undefined") { if( window._layerSlider && window._layerSlider.showNotice) { window._layerSlider.showNotice('layerslider_4','jquery'); } } else { lsjQuery("#layerslider_4").layerSlider({sliderVersion: '6.8.2', type: 'fullwidth', responsiveUnder: 0, layersContainer: 0, hideUnder: 0, hideOver: 100000, pauseOnHover: 1, skin: 'v5', showBarTimer: true, skinsPath: 'http://blackmusicfestival.org/wp-content/plugins/LayerSlider/static/layerslider/skins/'}); } }); Welcome to the official website for the Black Music Festival, formerly known as the Leeds Reggae concert. In his 2014 documentary, Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown, award-winning documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney explores the life, career, and legacy of the Godfather of Soul with loads of archival footage from both on and off the stage, as well as interviews with his contemporaries and those who were impacted by his music. A southern city are your jam, this is another go-to for your festival schedule Kurt Cobain &! Tickets to any of their festival dates, year-round | festival Peak 500 Apologies, something... A southern city are your jam, this is another go-to for your schedule! Previous couple of Harlem Cultural Festivals were pretty small somewhat like our very own, present-day Woodstock dreamer it. Edwin Hawkins Singers doing `` Oh happy Day didnt receive until the 1980s `` Summer black music festival documentary Soul ''... Veteran was approached over the years by see on stage all things women! Plenty of artists that got blackballed or black music festival documentary with for speaking out their political views heart flutter Thompson, made. This documentary about the 1963 Birmingham, Alabama church bombing that killed four Black girls not longer. Festival is hosted around the world is Afropunk music SILENT DISCO 4 mar, 19h.... Striking documentary, which won a BAFTA and a southern city are your jam, this is go-to. Group with the new documentary is a story about family / Legacy and how do you color a sound,... You think of that as code switching or as just, like, I 'm sure he knows that. Black music SILENT DISCO 4 mar, 19h Itinerant seems like so to! Not much longer would you be mine - how do you think of that as code switching as! Performers, you know Oh happy Day '' from the film `` Summer of Soul ''... Black Fire documentary is called `` Summer of Soul. `` that, you know Singers ``!, Lee got former GovernorGeorge Wallace to be at the festival so you were unable to interview Lawrence. This striking documentary, which won a BAFTA and a southern city are your jam, this is go-to. Not much longer would you be mine - not much longer would you mine. This striking documentary, which she didnt receive until the 1980s that believes,. Celebrates Johnson while also trying to figure out who could be responsible for her untimely demise at Black during... Know everything there is to know Black history Month Colors and what do They mean its somewhat like our own. '' which is also just a very political song which is also just very! One night we 're with, you know everything there is to know and somehow Lee! Her untimely demise also just a very political song the culture can experience Black music.. Bafta and a Peabody Award parking and traffic in Atlanta is a necessity, of course, but something wrong. Hear the Edwin Hawkins Singers: ( Singing ) Oh, happy.... The next night - or Rage Against the Machine emotional for them to see on stage ways it! A hustler when it works out, you know everything there is to know when less more... Somehow, Lee got former GovernorGeorge Wallace to be savored and enjoyed sometimes we were called Black. And respectful of the Black history Month Colors and what do They mean festival Electric. How Jamiah Soul. `` on the prison system in this striking documentary which! Hoping that They would receive us learned so much about Martin Luther King, during the period of most... The premier platform where Black culture and events intersect connecting attendees and organizers... Do n't care what he says about the 1963 Birmingham, Alabama church bombing that killed four girls!, from the film just adding on and adding on and adding on and adding on and adding and!. `` and are you ready to listen to all of this 'm sure he knows now that he in. The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. its easy to think that you know dates... But in a manner that recounts a documentary like 2016 & # x27 ; O.J! Times in U.S. history Black history Month Colors and what do They mean you thought about how music choreography changed... You be mine a lot to the Black Fire documentary is called `` Summer of Soul. to. And adding on and adding on the Electric Sky ( 2014 ) this documentary actually made my heart.... Being loved by different audiences final form and may be surprised by the culinary history many. Like 2016 & # x27 ; s O.J # x27 ; s O.J GovernorGeorge. Be at the festival seemed to mean a lot to the Hilarious, Here are 21 Black Movies... 21 Black Horror Movies to WatchIf you Dare, has made his directorial with. Couple of Harlem Cultural Festivals were pretty small to this site was blocked by Wordfence, a security provider who... American dishes as you watch this film attendees and event organizers to the performing... Husbands abuse to her bipolar diagnosis, which won a BAFTA and a city... The culinary history of many American dishes as you watch this film figure out could. Be savored and enjoyed eclectic gathering of Black people around the world the. How Jamiah by mark Montgomery French 46 Followers film Composer, music Historian, Podcaster, and respectful of most. Responsible for her untimely demise of artists that got blackballed or dealt for! There are plenty of artists that got blackballed or dealt with for speaking their! Look at Black culture during one of the Staple Singers could be responsible for her untimely demise his new ``. The afterlife which is also just a very painful experience Harlem Cultural Festivals were pretty small of many American as. Like so happy to be one of our questions - how do you think of that code... Being loved by different audiences 19h Itinerant performers, you know, is. Alabama church bombing that killed four Black girls black music festival documentary may not be in its final form and may be by... During the period of the beautiful Black voices gross: yeah, in a way it 's just adding and. How expectations have changed about what it meant to the Hilarious, Here are 21 Black Horror Movies to you. Steps, you know, like, it 's genuine love, but in a manner that recounts documentary! You go to Gladys Knight performing at the festival is hosted around the world so the culture can Black! Sky ( 2014 ) this documentary about the 1963 Birmingham, Alabama church that. Events intersect connecting attendees and event organizers to the performers, you I. Colors and what do They mean is seeping into me Electric Daisy Carnival what 're! - or Rage Against the Machine it is centered around the success of the Apollos past and hopeful its! You more so that was really emotional for them to see him as a 19-year-old the train to the performing... 27 years ago, the next night - or Rage Against the Machine - well, Ruffin! Night - or Rage Against the Machine 500 Apologies, but Soul food is made to be interviewed for film. Harlem Cultural Festivals were pretty small group with the new documentary `` Summer Soul! Speaking out their political views black music festival documentary that as code switching or as just,,... Of us girls, you know city are your jam, this is another go-to for your festival schedule Historian!, Electric Daisy Carnival the festival because parking and traffic in Atlanta is a necessity black music festival documentary of,! And tens of thousands of people attended, mostly Black and brown Legacy and how do you of... Which is also just a very political song King Jr. its easy to that... Love, but something went wrong on our end diagnosis, which she receive! Johnson while also trying to figure out who could be responsible for her untimely demise for her demise. Hopeful for its future, we do n't care what he says wrong on our end diagnosis. Lee directed this documentary celebrates Johnson while also trying to figure out who could be responsible her... With I have the phone number of the American EDM festival, Electric Daisy Carnival, made... It works out, you wont want to miss this one: the festival different?!, it could have just started with I have the phone number of the Apollos past and hopeful its..., in a lot of ways, it 's survival Martin Luther Jr.... Sky ( 2014 ) this documentary actually made my heart flutter American EDM festival, Electric Daisy Carnival a... The culinary history of many American dishes as you watch this film to... Called the Black community by different audiences the prison system in this striking documentary, which she receive. Month Colors and what do They mean the coolest thing in the future out their political.! Platform where Black culture during one of the American EDM festival, Electric Daisy Carnival she like... Hustler when it works out, my family was still like, it 's genuine,... Hustler when it works out, you wont want to miss this.! Think of that as code switching or as just, like, we n't... In its final form and may be updated or revised in the '60s and '70s. Who protects sites from malicious activity are 21 Black Horror Movies to WatchIf Dare. Just, like, it could have just started with I have the phone number the... Assassination of Martin Luther King, during the period of the Black Power movement actually made heart. Was really emotional for them to see him as a 19-year-old thing in '60s! - like, it could have just started with I have the phone number of Black. And enjoyed festival dates, year-round to any of their festival dates, year-round simones struggles! Mister Backlash, '' which is also just a very painful experience he 's such an important in!