A&E
Four-part James Brown: Say It Loud, featuring never-before-seen footage and exclusive interviews, premieres in 2023

James Brown’s life and career will be the focus of an upcoming four-part documentary executive produced by Mick Jagger and the Roots’ Questlove and Black Thought.

A&E announced Friday that they have green-lit James Brown: Say It Loud, a massive four-hour docuseries that celebrates the Godfather of Funk’s legacy. The series will feature both never-before-seen archival footage and interviews with friends, family, collaborators and more, and track Brown’s life from the Jim Crow-era South to becoming “the hardest working man in show business.”

“I am thrilled to be producing the four part documentary series with A&E delving into the fascinating life of James Brown,” Mick Jagger said in a statement. “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. I look forward to bringing the series to life.”

“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,” Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson and Tariq ‘Black Thought’ Trotter added. “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.”

James Brown: Say It Loud will arrive in 2023, a year that marks what would have been Brown’s 90th birthday.

“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 the most celebrated and influential artists of the 20th century,” A&E said of the docuseries. “James Brown: Say It Loud is a definitive look at a complicated life and a reflection on the immense impact Brown continues to have as a musical and cultural trailblazer.”

Kid Harpoon has been named Abbey Road Studios’ first-ever Producer in Residence, with the Grammy winner tasked with both guiding the legendary studio’s vision as well as mentoring future musical talent.

According to the studio, Kid Harpoon “will have complete access to Abbey Road as his creative playground and studio home in the UK, as well as its collection of vintage gear, microphones and instruments” and “will also consult on the studios’ music tech and innovation work.”

“I’m beyond excited to become Producer in Residence at Abbey Road,” Kid Harpoon said in a statement. “In this position, I’m hoping to use my experience to help guide some of the incredible up-and-coming talent we have in the UK while they navigate their way through what can be a difficult industry. Mark and the team have a real desire to give back and develop new talent, which is something I’m really passionate about. To be able to contribute to the Abbey Road legacy in any way is an honor, and I can’t wait to get stuck in!”

The British-born Thomas “Kid Harpoon” Hull has won Grammys for both Record of the Year (for Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers”) and Album of the Year (for Harry Styles’ Harry’s House) in recent years. His production and songwriting work also includes Shawn Mendes’ Wonder, Maggie Rogers’ Surrender, as well as songs by Florence + the Machine, Lizzo, King Princess, Noah Cyrus, and Jessie Ware. Most recently, Kid Harpoon produced David Byrne’s new album Who Is the Sky?

In addition to shaping Abbey Road’s sound, Kid Harpoon will also take part in the nearly century-old studio’s free education programs aimed at nurturing the next generation of artists and producers via panels and workshops.

“[Kid Harpoon] brings a spirit of collaboration and innovation that perfectly aligns with our vision. With his creative lead, we’re excited to deepen our artistic community and continue placing creativity at the heart of our home,” Abbey Road’s managing director Sally Davies added in a statement.

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