Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, drummer of The Roots and director of the new documentary Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius), has paid tribute to Sly Stone, the legendary musician who died at age 82. Stone passed away due to complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other health issues.
In an emotional Instagram post, Questlove described Stone as a monumental figure in music and culture. “Sly was a giant — not just 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 multi-talented artist — a songwriter, producer, arranger, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and showman. With his band Sly and the Family Stone, he achieved chart-topping success with energetic singles and albums that shaped the funk and rock genres. Questlove’s documentary chronicles Stone’s life and legacy, including candid reflections from several Black artists on the pressures that come with fame and creativity.
“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.” He cited two powerful lines from Stone’s work: “We deserve everything we get in this life,” and the timeless anthem from Everyday People: “We got to live together!”
Questlove concluded his tribute by saying, “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.”
Sly Stone is survived by his children with Silva and Robinson, as well as another daughter, Los Angeles musician Novena Carmel.
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