New James Brown Series Will Be Produced By Questlove & Black Thought

Set to arrive in 2023, the four-part Deborah Riley-Draper-directed docuseries James Brown: Say It Loud will premiere on A&E Network.

The legacy of James Brown will be brought to the small screen next year. A&E Network has announced that new four-part docuseries James Brown: Say It Loud will premiere in 2023, directed by Deborah Riley-Draper and executive-produced by Questlove and Black Thought of The Roots along with Mick Jagger. The series will explore details about Brown’s career through never-before-seen archival footage with interviews with friends, family and collaborators. The film will also tackle Brown’s origins as a seventh-grade dropout arrested for armed robbery to his incomparable rock & roll career.

“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,” Questlove and Black Thought said in a shared statement per Deadline. “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.”

In the statement, Jagger added that he was “thrilled” to assist with bringing the series to life. “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.”

Jagger also produced 2014 HBO documentary Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown and Brown biopic Get On Up starring the late Chadwick Boseman.

A&E EVP and Head of Programming Elaine Frontain Bryant elaborated on A&E’s “bold, insightful, and engaging storytelling”. We are honored… to continue this tradition with James Brown: Say It Loud to provide audiences with an in-depth look, not only into the extraordinary life of the Godfather of Soul, but also his immeasurable influence as a cultural force in American society.”