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MUS 112: African-American Traditions in American Music

Biopics & Documentaries

Biopics or biographic pictures or is a non-fictional film that depicts the tale of a real person's life. This format of storytelling is frequently used to tell Black musicians and artists stories. Documentaries have been a more recent way of looking into Black music history. Here's a listing of some popular biopics and documentaries:

  • The Apollo
  • The Believers: The First Transgender Gospel Choir
  • Betty: They Say I’m Different
  • Bessie
  • Beyoncé: Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé
  • The Black Godfather
  • Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes
  • Cadillac Records
  • Cecil Taylor: All The Notes
  • Chevalier
  • Clarence Clemons: Who Do I Think I Am?
  • Charley Pride: I’m Just Me
  • CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story
  • Darker Than Blue: Curtis Mayfield
  • Get On Up
  • Hitsville: The Making of Motown
  • Introducing Dorothy Dandridge
  • The Jacksons: An American Dream
  • Jimi: All Is By My Side
  • Keep On Keepin' On
  • Lady Day At Emerson's Bar And Grill
  • Lady Sings The Blues
  • Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
  • Mahalia Jackson: The Power and the Glory
  • Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story
  • Mariah Carey Is Christmas: The Story of “All I Want for Christmas Is You"
  • Miles Ahead
  • My Mic Sounds Nice: The Truth About Women and Hip Hop
  • Never a Dull Moment: 20 Years of the Rebirth Brass Band
  • Notorious
  • Otis Redding: Soul Ambassador
  • Ray
  • ReMastered: Devil at the Crossroads — A Robert Johnson Story
  • Screamin’ Jay Hawkins: I Put a Spell on Me
  • Straight Outta Compton
  • Summer of Soul
  • Teddy Pendergrass: If You Don’t Know Me
  • The Black Godfather
  • The Temptations
  • The United States vs. Billie Holiday
  • Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser
  • Time Is Illmatic
  • Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart
  • Tupac: Resurrection
  • What Happened, Miss Simone?
  • What's Love Got To Do With It?
  • Why Do Fools Fall In Love?
  • Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men

Films on Demand

Lift Ev'ry Voice

Video Credit: Berklee College of Music, 2021

Nina Simone

Video Credit: Official Audio for "To Be Young, Gifted and Black" by Nina Simone, 2014.

Music History

Video Credit: Music History Is Black History, 2022.

History of Black Music in America

Video Credit: Serato, 2021