A&E Networks has announced a premiere date for James Brown: Say It Loud.
The four-hour documentary will air Monday, Feb. 19, and Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 8 p.m. ET on A&E.
According to the logline, James Brown: Say It Loud “examines Brown’s legacy through exclusive interviews, never-before-seen archival footage and his beloved music catalog.”
The upcoming doc was directed by Deborah Riley Draper and executive produced by Mick Jagger, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, Peter Afterman, David Blackman, Victoria Pearman, Bruce Resnikoff, Shawn Gee, Zarah Zohlman, Charlie Cohen and Mari Keiko Gonzalez.
James Brown: Say It Loud will feature interviews from Mick Jagger, Questlove, Bootsy Collins, The Rev. Al Sharpton, Chuck D, Dallas Austin, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, his children Deanna, Yamma and Larry Brown, and more.
The documentary was first teased in February 2022. “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,” said 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.”
Mick Jagger added, “I am thrilled to be producing the four-part documentary series with A&E delving into the fascinating life of James Brown. 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. I look forward to bringing the series to life.”
In December 2021, Primary Wave Music announced its partnership with the James Brown Estate. Under the deal, Primary Wave owns a stake in Brown’s publishing, master recording income stream, and name and likeness rights. According to The New York Times, Brown’s assets were sold for an estimated $90 million.
Larry Mestel, Primary Wave’s CEO and founder, said, “Wow, I am awed that Primary Wave has been chosen by the estate of James Brown to partner with the Godfather of Soul. We are thrilled to help continue the expansion of his influence and further his legacy through both his music and The James Brown 2000 Trust.”
Russell Bauknight, fiduciary for the James Brown Estate and Trust, added, “We believe that our choice of professionals to take the James Brown Legacy to the next level is going to prove to be one of the most successful events in Mr. Brown’s long history in show business.”
Watch the trailer for James Brown: Say It Loud below.
