Plot Synopsis

Directed by Deborah Riley Draper and executive produced by Mick Jagger and Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson, JAMES BROWN: SAY IT LOUD is a four-episode, two-night documentary series that traces the incredible trajectory of James Brown's life and career from a 7th grade drop-out arrested and jailed at the age of 16 for breaking into a car in the Jim Crow-era South, to an entertainment legend whose groundbreaking talent and unique perspective catapulted him to become a cultural force. His words, songs, style and moves inspired musical revolutions and molded a nation's view of Black Pride and Black masculinity. Consistently facing obstacles and unbelievable odds, the documentary details how Brown persevered through decades of personal demons, racial injustice, and career setbacks to find redemption and become one of, if not the, most celebrated and influential artists of the 20th century. Featuring never-before-seen archival interviews and performances of James Brown, plus interviews with friends, family, musicians and proteges including Mick Jagger, Questlove, Bootsy Collins, LL Cool J, The Rev. Al Sharpton, Chuck D, Dallas Austin, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, his children Deanna, Yamma and Larry Brown, and many more, this series is a definitive look at a complicated life and a reflection on the immense impact Brown continues to have on music and culture today. Episodes include:

"Making a Life for Myself" (Monday, February 19, 2024 at 8pm): Rising from poverty and overcoming abuse in the Jim Crow South, James Brown secures a record deal, electrifies audiences, and breaks down racial barriers; propelling himself into stardom.

"The Most Powerful Black Man in America" (Monday, February 19, 2024 at 9pm): Aligning with the civil rights movement, James Brown becomes a cultural force by articulating community pride and political influence, ultimately hailed as the most important Black man in America.

"Life in the Raw" (Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 8pm): Amidst financial pressures, record company politics, substance abuse, and personal struggles, James Brown found himself on a perilous path, colliding with the law and confronting the threat of revisiting prison.

"Big as Big Can Be" (Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 9pm): As the godfather of a breakbeat that birthed hip-hop, James Brown's life serves as a crucial call for respect and dignity for Blackness and Black music in America.