28+ Days, 28+ Music Documentaries for Black History Month (Or Any Time!)
Black music stories and legends
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38 titles
- DirectorBobby J. BrownThe untold true story: The rise and fall of the greatest funk band ever, Parliament Funkadelic.
- DirectorBarbara KoppleStarsSharon JonesJames BrownEllen DeGeneresDreams never expire but sometimes they are deferred. The film follows the talented and gregarious soul singer of the Grammy-nominated R&B band "Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings." In the most challenging year of her life, Sharon Jones confronts pancreatic cancer. As she struggles to find her health and voice again, the film intimately uncovers the mind and spirit of a powerful woman determined to regain the explosive singing career that eluded her for 50 years.
- DirectorMichael RapaportStarsQ-TipPhife DawgAli Shaheed MuhammadMichael Rapaport documents the inner workings and behind the scenes drama that follows this innovative and influential band to this day.
- DirectorTaylor HackfordStarsChuck BerryKeith RichardsEric ClaptonThis documentary movie covers two concerts at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis, Missouri, to celebrate Chuck Berry's 60th birthday, and also discusses his life and career.
- DirectorLiz GarbusStarsNina SimoneLisa Simone KellyRoger NupieA documentary about the life and legend Nina Simone, an American singer, pianist, and civil rights activist labeled the "High Priestess of Soul."
- DirectorMartyn StevensStarsAlfa AndersonBob ClearmountainDaryl EasleaA profile of the musician Nile Rodgers, who was one of the most successful artists of the disco era with Chic before becoming one of the biggest producers of the 1980s.
- DirectorOlivia LichtensteinStarsTeddy PendergrassSammy Davis Jr.Ida PendergrassThis documentary explores the rise of Teddy Pendergrass, the first male African American artist to record five consecutive platinum albums against the backdrop of 1960s America, and his comeback after a life-changing accident.
- 20211h 58mPG-138.0 (14K)96MetascoreDirectorQuestloveStarsDorinda DrakeBarbara Bland-AcostaDarryl LewisDocumentary about the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival which celebrated African-American music and culture and promoted Black pride and unity.
- DirectorMel StuartStarsThe DramaticsThe Staple SingersKim WestonDocumentary covering a Stax Records-sponsored all-day concert at the 1972 Watts Summer Festival with performances by Stax Records artists such as Isaac Hayes, Rufus Thomas, The Staples Singers, and more.
- DirectorKevin MacdonaldStarsBob MarleyZiggy MarleyRita MarleyA documentary on the life, music, and legacy of Bob Marley.
- DirectorDaniel LindsayT.J. MartinStarsTina TurnerCarl ArringtonIke TurnerExclusive access to the Grammy Award-winning artist to celebrate her career.
- StarsJanet JacksonRebbie JacksonKatherine JacksonAn intimate and unfiltered look at the untold story of Janet Jackson filmed over the span of three years featuring archival footage, never before seen home videos and star-studded interviews.
- DirectorKevin MacdonaldStarsWhitney HoustonEllen WhiteMichael HoustonAn in-depth look at the life and music of Whitney Houston.
- DirectorDamani BakerAlex VlackStarsBill WithersClarence AvantBenorce BlackmonA portrait of soul legend Bill Withers.
- DirectorJames ErskineStarsLinda Lipnack KuehlBillie HolidaySylvia SymsDocumentary on the famed jazz singer Billie Holiday.
- DirectorPaul JustmanStarsJoe HunterJack AshfordUriel JonesDocumentary about the Funk Brothers, a group of Detroit musicians who backed up dozens of Motown artists.
- DirectorAlan HicksRashida JonesStarsQuincy JonesRashida JonesKareem Abdul-JabbarAn intimate look into the life of icon Quincy Jones. A unique force in music and popular culture for 70 years, Jones has transcended racial and cultural boundaries; his story is inextricably woven into the fabric of America.
- DirectorLisa CortesStarsLittle RichardRalph HarperNewt CollierThe life and career of Little Richard, the one-of-a-kind rock 'n' roll icon who shaped the world of music.
- DirectorRoger Ross WilliamsStarsCholly AtkinsFlorence BallardAngela BassettThe history of New York City's Apollo Theater in Harlem is given the full treatment.
- DirectorOne9StarsNasCornel WestPharrell WilliamsThe story behind Nas's groundbreaking debut album 'Illmatic, ' and the early life of one of the most talented rappers of all time. Featuring Pharrell Williams, Alicia Keys, Q-Tip, and Busta Rhymes.
- DirectorJeremy MarreStarsLeon Barker
- DirectorPrinceDavid HoganAlbert MagnoliStarsPrinceSheila E.Sheena EastonHighlights from Prince's 1987 European concert tour, including selections from the rock star's album of the same title.
- DirectorBen TurnerGabe TurnerStarsBerry GordySmokey RobinsonStevie WonderDocumentary film that focuses on the period beginning with the birth of Motown in Detroit in 1958 until its relocation to Los Angeles in the early 1970s.
- DirectorReginald HudlinStarsClarence AvantHank AaronGwen AdolphFollows the life of Clarence Avant, the ultimate, uncensored mentor and behind-the-scenes rainmaker in music, film, TV and politics.
- DirectorSacha JenkinsStarsNick CannonDapper DanTara DavisBiz Markie's Collage of Celebrity celebrity interviews, rare film, reenactments, and playful animation who left his mark in history of hip-hop.