Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, director of the new documentary Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius), has paid tribute to Sly Stone, the legendary musician who passed away at age 82. Stone died from complications related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other health issues.
In an Instagram post, Questlove described Stone as a towering figure. “Sly was a giant—not only for his groundbreaking work with the Family Stone but for the radical inclusivity and deep human truths he poured into every note,” he wrote. “His songs weren’t just about fighting injustice; they were about transforming the self to transform the world. He dared to be simple in the most complex ways—using childlike joy, wordless cries, and nursery rhyme cadences to express adult truths. His work looked straight at the brightest and darkest parts of life and demanded we do the same.”
Stone was a multifaceted artist—songwriter, producer, arranger, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and showman. He led Sly and the Family Stone to chart-topping success with energetic singles and albums that blended funk, rock, soul, and psychedelia. Questlove’s documentary captures Stone’s life and career and includes candid reflections from various Black artists on the challenges of fame and creative pressure.
“Yes, Sly battled addiction,” Questlove acknowledged. “Yes, he disappeared from the spotlight. But he lived long enough to outlast many of his disciples, to feel the ripples of his genius return through hip-hop samples, documentaries, and his memoir.” Questlove highlighted two lines that resonate from Stone’s work: “We deserve everything we get in this life,” and the eternal anthem of unity from Everyday People: “We got to live together!”
Questlove concluded, “Once idealistic, now I hear it as a command. Sly’s music will likely speak to us even more now than it did then. Thank you, Sly. You will forever live.”
Stone is survived by his children with Silva and Robinson, as well as another daughter, Novena Carmel, a musician based in Los Angeles.
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