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Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson of The Roots is one of the foremost minds in music knowledge and history today, using his platforms and connections to the industry to great effect. Questlove, an Academy Award-winning director, is set to hit the chair once more to helm the 50 Years of SNL Music documentary.
Questlove, 53, was tapped to direct the 50 Years of SNL Music documentary, looking back at the sketch comedy series’ special segment for its musical guests over the past five decades.
Joining in on the directing duties will be SNL director Oz Rodriguez and will feature more than 50 interviews from some of the past guests such as Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run-DMC fame, Miley Cyrus, Paul Simon, and more. The doc will also feature former and current SNL writers and crew members including onscreen albums Maya Rudolph and Bill Hader, and former writer Conan O’Brien.
“Everyone knows the most famous SNL appearances, whether it’s Elvis Costello, Prince or the Beastie Boys, but they’re the tip of a huge iceberg,” Questlove shared in a statement. “The process of going back through the incredible archival footage was like being in a time machine, DeLorean or other. I’m so happy I went on the trip and now get to share it with everyone.”
Questlove’s Summer of Soul documentary, which examines the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, won the Academy Award for Best Documentary in 2022.
Eddie Murphy, Al Franken, Justin Timberlake, Kenan Thompson, and a host of other significant SNL contributors and guests will also appear in 50 Years of SNL Music.
The documentary airs on Monday, January 27, on NBC at 8 p.m. ET/PT, streaming next day on Peacock.
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Lance Bass is one of the many boyband members and associates featured in the upcoming Larger Than Life: Reign of the Boybands documentary, which dives deep into the genre’s history and influence. In a new clip shared exclusively with Billboard on Monday (Nov. 11), the *NSYNC star shares a glimpse of how often a young […]
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A mysterious documentary about Ye aka Kanye West is in the works, and the first image has been revealed to the public.
A new documentary that’s been years in the making about Ye aka Kanye West is now revealing the first image from the film. The film, entitled In Whose Name?, includes never-before-seen footage of West and “promises to offer a unique and cinematic perspective on Ye’s public transformation.” In Whose Name?, which has been in production for six years, will have an exclusive promotional reel screening at the American Film Market on Nov. 7 after a completed deal with Goodfellas and Utopia.
The synopsis of the film reads:
“With a billion-dollar budget and a commitment to truth, Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, invites 18-year-old Nicolas Ballesteros armed with an iPhone on a six-year journey revealing unfiltered aspects of celebrity life which confront the provocative opinions, grand visions and bold contrarianism that defined him as the world’s most controversial artist. The film follows Ye’s ascent to becoming the richest Black man in American history while uncovering why the superstar risked everything he had built in the name of freedom. Examining the culture that birthed the star, ‘In Whose Name?’ explores the overlapping influences of corporate exploitation, racial complexities and psychological struggles inherent in the American dream.”
Outside of the synopsis, observers note that Ye’s recent issues with adidas as well as his spiral into anti-Semitism may very well be discussed in the movie. Ballesteros serves as a producer on the documentary along with Shy Ranje. The executive producer is Justin Staple, and David Bullock is on board as a producer. The movie is currently in post-production at the time of this article’s publication.
“We’re thrilled to present ‘In Whose Name?’ at AFM,” said Marie Zeniter, vice president of sales at Utopia, and Eva Diederix, head of sales at Goodfellas in a statement about the documentary. “This powerful documentary offers an unfiltered view without narration, it invites audiences to draw their own conclusions on themes of fame, religion, and power. We believe audiences globally deserve the chance to witness how one of the world’s most influential figures navigates the complexities and contradictions of celebrity.”
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Megan Thee Stallion had a busy 2024 with the release of her third studio album, Megan, and the recent deluxe drop of the project, Act II. The Houston Hottie is continuing the creative streak with the release of a new documentary that reveals details of her relationship with Tory Lanez, her struggles with mental health, and more.
Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words premiered this week on the Amazon Prime streaming service and the documentary has held a share of public previews ahead of its release. Candidly, the artist born Megan Peete shares intimate details of her life with unflinching clarity.
What caught the attention of some on social media was Megan’s admission that she lied to Gayle King during their 2022 CBS Mornings interview regarding whether the pair ever slept together. While she denied having sex with the imprisoned Canadian artist, she says in the documentary that she slept with Lanez a couple of times while intoxicated. Some online seized on this as a means to exonerate Lanez from shooting at the rapper’s feet and injuring her.
Other moments from the documentary include Megan sharing that she made the grueling decision to take her mother and manager, Holly Thomas, off life support after a brain tumor was discovered. Megan’s journey of grieving after the 2019 loss of her mother is also documented.
Despite the setbacks, including suffering from anxiety and entering intensive therapy after the shooting incident, one hallmark of the documentary is the resiliency of Megan Thee Stallion. She makes mention of the various industry roadblocks but the consistent theme is that she is finally on the path of triumph.
The trailer for the documentary can be viewed below.
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From her five Billboard 200 No. 1 albums to her new Tony-winning Hell’s Kitchen musical, Alicia Keys is a true “Superwoman.” Now, “Girl on Fire” is looking to add to those superpowers with a new documentary titled Uncharted. The feature-length film is slated to premiere on Paramount+ on Oct. 22.
Uncharted promises an unflinching look at the lack of access and opportunity the music business grants young Black and brown women. Featuring several bright young songwriters — including rising Chicago R&B star Jean Deaux — Uncharted examines the young women’s respective journeys as they strive to break through the industry with the next big hit.
“Everything done in this film was done by women in every capacity,” Keys tells Billboard. “You get a true sense of the journey of these artists and the songwriting process which is so special.”
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Executive produced by Keys and directed by Emmy and Peabody Award winner Beth Aala, Uncharted takes fans behind the scenes of Keys’ She Is The Music songwriting camp. Launched in 2018, She Is The Music is an initiative founded by Keys, Grammy-winning engineer Ann Mincieli, Universal Music Publishing Group chairman and CEO Jody Gerson, and UTA partner and global head of music Sam Kirby Yoh. The campaign seeks to increase the number of women working in the global music industry, from songwriters to lighting directors.
Uncharted had its world premiere at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival. Additional executive producers include Minicieli, Gerson, Kirby Yoh, Katie Couric, Dr. Stacy Smith, Brenda Robinson, Abby Rodriguez, Regina K. Scully, Geralyn White Dreyfous, and Abby Greensfelder’s Everywoman Studios for MTV Entertainment Studios.
Globally, Uncharted will exclusively premiere on Paramount+ in the U.K., Germany, Switzerland, and Austria on Oct. 23. The documentary will also exclusively premiere on the service in Japan on Nov. 15.
In addition to her five Billboard 200 chart-toppers, Alicia Keys has also earned four Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits, including 2001’s “Fallin’” (six weeks), 2007’s “No One” (five weeks), and 2009’s “Empire State of Mind” (with Jay-Z, five weeks). Her most recent non-holiday studio album, 2021’s Keys, reached No. 41 on the Billboard 200, spawning the Adult R&B Songs top 10 hit, “Best of Me” (No. 8). Recently, Keys was named an Honorable Mention in Billboard’s ranking of the 25 Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century.
Click here to view the official Uncharted trailer.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are headed to the city. Specifically the Boss’ new touring doc, Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, will become the latest rock doc to be showcased in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Screening Series next week when the movie will be shown at […]
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Chris Brown will be at the center of a new documentary to be released later this month with a focus on some of the R&B singer’s legal troubles over the years. Via the Investigation Discovery channel, Chris Brown: A History of Violence was announced with a new accuser coming forward in a trailer for the documentary.
As reported by Variety, the ID channel is launching its third annual No Excuse for Abuse campaign with the release of the Chris Brown: A History of Violence documentary. ID also released the explosive Nickelodeon documentary, Quiet on Set.
The documentary will examine the legal issues attached to Brown, which naturally will zero in on the domestic violence incident between him and his then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009. Brown has also faced allegations of sexual assault, assault, and other charges.
More from Variety:
According to the logline, “Chris Brown: A History of Violence” will chart “Chris Brown’s past all the way back to his troubled childhood, explores the lasting impact of the cycle of abuse, and poses the question: how does a man with such a violent public record maintain his superstar status? With expert and cultural commentary layered throughout, the documentary provides thoughtful reflections into each survivor’s experience and the psychological destruction in the aftermath of their abuse.”
As revealed in the trailer, a new accuser, whose identity is hidden, comes forward with allegations against Brown. “I have not spoken about this matter publicly, but that’s the only way he can be stopped,” the accuser says in the trailer.
Chris Brown: A History of Violence will be released on October 27 with The View co-host Sunny Hostin taking the lead in a conversation regarding intimate partner violence following the documentary.
The trailer can be viewed below.
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Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson is one of the foremost minds when it comes to music history and will lend his expertise to bring attention to one of the greatest bands to ever exist. The Roots drummer, among other honorifics, was announced to direct a new documentary centered on the career of the legendary Earth Wind & Fire band.
Cleverly mentioning the new gig on the 21st of September, a callback to Earth Wind & Fire’s track that mentions the month, Questlove shared the message on his Instagram post that we’ll share below.
From IG:
Coming in 2025…..the definitive story of the elements…..
The story of how a band led by a genius from Chicago changed our way of thinking, our minds and our hearts
Having been baptized in the afrocentric joy river of this powerhouse unit, I’ve learned about them, I’ve learned about us & more importantly I’ve learned about and rediscovered myself in the process
I’m so excited to be directing a documentary preserving their positive but VERY vulnerable and real story of Soul, Self & Struggle
This is the story of joy, persistence, love, pain, magic and self discovery
This is Earth, Wind & Fire
According to a report from Variety, Earth Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey, Verdine White, and Ralph Johnson shared in a statement, “We look forward to this in-depth journey of our band, and are so excited to have Questlove directing the documentary.”
This isn’t Questlove’s first time directing as he made his debut with the Academy Award-winning Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) film which also won a BAFTA Award, and the Sundance Grand Jury Prize among other honors.
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Questlove has revealed that he will direct an upcoming documentary about Earth, Wind & Fire.
The Roots drummer, whose also been working on a Sly Stone doc, fittingly made the announcement on Saturday (Sept. 21) through his Instagram account, noting that the EWF project is slated for 2025 and will be the “definitive story” of the iconic R&B band.
“The story of how a band led by a genius from Chicago changed our way of thinking, our minds and our hearts,” Questlove wrote alongside a teaser clip. “Having been baptized in the afrocentric joy river of this powerhouse unit, I’ve learned about them, I’ve learned about us & more importantly I’ve learned about and rediscovered myself in the process.”
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The Grammy- and Oscar-winning filmmaker added, “I’m so excited to be directing a documentary preserving their positive but VERY vulnerable and real story of Soul, Self & Struggle. This is the story of joy, persistence, love, pain, magic and self discovery. This is Earth, Wind & Fire.”
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Questlove’s Earth, Wind & Fire doc will also include exclusive access to the group’s archives of visual, audio and written material, along with the approval of the estate of Maurice White and the band, according to a press release (per The Hollywood Reporter).
Earth, Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson said in a joint statement, “We look forward to this in-depth journey of our band, and are so excited to have Questlove directing the documentary.”
With classics including “Shining Star,” “Let’s Groove,” “Reasons” and “September,” the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees have topped Billboard‘s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart eight times, earned seven top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and sold more than 90 million albums around the globe.
Questlove took home an Oscar for best documentary feature in 2022 for Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), which he directed and executive produced.
See Questlove’s announcement on Instagram below.
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The Wendy Williams saga continues. Her representatives claim she was only paid $82,000 for the controversial documentary on her life.
As spotted on Huffington Post the media mogul’s caretakers are taking action against the production company who developed the Lifetime series Where Is Wendy Williams?. Released earlier this year the four part project gave her fans a behind the scenes look into the rollercoaster life of the former talk show host. The footage showed that the Ocean Township, New Jersey native was dealing with mental health issues, alcohol abuse as well as being placed under guardianship. Ultimately a large portion of her fanbase felt that the documentary showed her in a poor light.
Earlier this week Wendy Williams’ legal team filed a suit against the state the procedures alleging they “viciously and shamelessly exploited” her and depicted her “in a highly demeaning and embarrassing manner. According to court documents she was only paid $82,000 for her participation and her rights. “This is a paltry sum for the use of highly invasive, humiliating footage that portrayed her in the confusing throes of dementia, while Defendants, who have profited on the streaming of the Program have likely already earned millions,” the filing reads. “As our complaint shows in painful and excruciating detail, A&E, Lifetime and Mark Ford viciously and shamelessly exploited Wendy Williams for their own profit while she was obviously incapacitated and suffering from dementia,” said Kaplan Martin LLP and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP in an exclusive statement.
In turn her team is looking for the production company to forfeit all earnings on the project to cover her medical expenses. The defendants have yet to formally respond.