Sly and the Household Stone chief and funk icon Sly Stone died earlier in the present day from persistent obstructive pulmonary illness (COPD) and different well being points. Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, who directed the brand new documentary Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius), has shared a tribute honoring the late musician. “Sly was a large — not only for his groundbreaking work with the Household Stone, however for the unconventional inclusivity and deep human truths he poured into each observe,” the Roots drummer wrote on Instagram. Discover his full assertion beneath.
Stone was 82 years outdated. He guided the Household Stone by means of a energetic mix of funk, R&B, soul, and Motown preparations on their information, and introduced a contagious vitality to their exhibits whereas he sang about political unrest, discrimination, and the suitable to reside life boldly. Simply final week, Excessive Moon Data introduced the upcoming launch of The First Household: Reside on the Winchester Cathedral 1967, a reside album capturing Sly and the Household Stone’s earliest recognized live performance recording.
Questlove’s Sly Stone documentary premiered on the 2025 Sundance Movie Competition again in January. The movie was largely created in collaboration with Stone and his household, and options appearances from D’Angelo, Chaka Khan, George Clinton, Outkast’s André 3000, and extra artists. Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) was just lately launched for streaming on Hulu.
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson:
Sly Stone, born Sylvester Stewart, left this earth in the present day, however the adjustments he sparked whereas right here will echo perpetually. From the second his music reached me within the early Nineteen Seventies, it grew to become part of my soul. Sly was a large — not only for his groundbreaking work with the Household Stone, however for the unconventional inclusivity and deep human truths he poured into each observe. His songs weren’t nearly combating injustice; they had been about remodeling the self to rework the world. He dared to be easy in probably the most advanced methods — utilizing childlike pleasure, wordless cries, and nursery rhyme cadences to specific grownup truths. His work regarded straight on the brightest and darkest elements of life and demanded we do the identical.
Sure, Sly battled dependancy. Sure, he disappeared from the highlight. However he lived lengthy sufficient to outlast lots of his disciples, to really feel the ripples of his genius return by means of hip-hop samples, documentaries, and his memoir. Nonetheless, none of that replaces the uncooked great thing about his unique work. As I mirror on his legacy, two strains hang-out me: “We deserve every thing we get on this life” — a line from the Sly Lives! documentary that seems like each a warning and a manifestation — and, after all, the everlasting cry of “On a regular basis Folks”: “We obtained to reside collectively!” As soon as idealistic, now I hear it as a command. Sly’s music will seemingly converse to us much more now than it did then. Thanks, Sly. You’ll perpetually reside.
Thankyoufaliftingushigher Sly.
Like to your loved ones, family members and each human whose life you got here throughout and effected.
All your disciples will likely be geeked to obtain you.
