Fresh Air: Best Of – Sebastian Stan & Questlove on the Genius of Sly Stone

Release Date: February 15, 2025

Overview

In this special "Best Of" episode of NPR's Fresh Air, host Terry Gross engages in insightful conversations with two prominent figures: actor Sebastian Stan, who has recently garnered acclaim for his Oscar-nominated portrayal of Donald Trump in the film The Apprentice, and Questlove, the legendary drummer and co-founder of the hip-hop band The Roots. Additionally, musician and documentary filmmaker Amir Kweslov Thompson discusses his latest documentary, Sly the Burden of Black Genius, which delves into the life and legacy of Sly Stone and his band, Sly and the Family Stone.

Interview with Amir Kweslov Thompson: Exploring Sly Stone's Legacy

Introduction to the Documentary

Terry Gross introduces Amir Kweslov Thompson and his new documentary, Sly the Burden of Black Genius. The film examines Sly Stone's profound impact on music and culture, highlighting his innovative approach to songwriting and band dynamics.

Questlove on Sly Stone's Musical Innovations

• Innovative Song Structures: Questlove discusses the complexity of Sly Stone's songwriting, particularly in the hit "Dance to the Music." He explains how Sly incorporated multiple hooks and melodic lines within a single song, creating what he describes as "the world's funkiest nursery rhyme music."

  "Sly will invent the Alphabet for which most of pop and R and B or black music will write from for, you know, the next 60 years." [05:13]

• Revolutionary Bass Techniques: Highlighting Larry Graham's influence, Questlove emphasizes the revolutionary bass playing that laid the groundwork for future genres like funk and hip-hop.

  "Larry Graham is a bass player who invented the idea of like ear candy. Like a whole bunch of micro ideas inside of one three minute song." [07:46]

The Societal Impact of Sly Stone's Music

Questlove elaborates on how Sly Stone's music championed inclusivity and social justice, particularly during the tumultuous civil rights era.

"Sly's role... was stepping out of the roles that we were traditionally playing... it's almost like music before Sly was almost kind of a fantasy... Sly kind of accidentally inserts himself in the leadership position." [17:12]

Challenges Faced by Sly Stone

Amir Kweslov Thompson and Questlove discuss the personal and societal challenges that Sly Stone encountered, including the pressures of fame and struggles with substance abuse, which ultimately contributed to his decline.

"There's a pressure of or a burden, which is why we call it the burden of black genius." [22:02]

Notable Quotes

• "Sly will invent the Alphabet for which most of pop and R and B or black music will write from for, you know, the next 60 years." — Questlove [05:13]

• "Larry Graham is a bass player who... invented the idea of like ear candy." — Questlove [07:46]

• "Sly's role... was stepping out of the roles that we were traditionally playing." — Questlove [17:12]

Musical Excerpts: Celebrating Sly and the Family Stone

Throughout the interview, excerpts from Sly and the Family Stone's iconic songs like "Dance to the Music" and "Everyday People" are played, illustrating the discussion points and showcasing the infectious rhythms and inclusive messages that defined the band's legacy.

Transition to Sebastian Stan: Portraying Donald Trump

Terry Gross transitions the conversation to Sebastian Stan, highlighting his recent achievements and roles, including his portrayal of Donald Trump in the film The Apprentice and his roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Interview with Sebastian Stan: Diving into the Role of Donald Trump

Portraying a Complex Character

Sebastian Stan discusses the challenges of embodying Donald Trump, particularly focusing on the nuanced approach required to avoid caricature while capturing the essence of Trump's personality and rhetoric.

"I had to very carefully select and maneuver [Trump's voice and mannerisms] and kind of earn them over the period of time of the movie." [28:16]

Insights into Trump's Persona

Stan delves into the psychological aspects of Trump, drawing parallels between Trump's behaviors and the influences of his mentor, Roy Cohn. He reflects on the predictability of Trump's actions and the emotional toll of portraying such a divisive figure.

"The victimhood, blaming, the revenge tactics... it's about power and mistrust and paranoia." [30:02]

Experiencing Trump's Second Term

While discussing the real Donald Trump's second term, Stan expresses a mix of predictability and tragedy, emphasizing the character's consistent patterns of denial and manipulation.

"It's eerily familiar. It's predictable... it's tragic." [30:02]

Ethical Considerations and Empathy in Acting

Stan talks about the importance of empathy in acting, especially when portraying complex or controversial figures. He shares his personal struggles in finding a balance between understanding Trump's motivations and maintaining his own emotional well-being.

"As an actor, you have to... be an investigator and be a bodyguard to the character you're playing." [32:19]

Notable Quotes

• "I had to very carefully select and maneuver [Trump's voice and mannerisms] and kind of earn them." — Sebastian Stan [28:16]

• "The victimhood, blaming, the revenge tactics... it's about power and mistrust and paranoia." — Sebastian Stan [30:02]

• "As an actor, you have to... be an investigator and be a bodyguard to the character you're playing." — Sebastian Stan [32:19]

Conclusion

In this episode of Fresh Air, Terry Gross masterfully navigates through deep and engaging conversations with Amir Kweslov Thompson and Sebastian Stan. The discussions provide a profound understanding of Sly Stone's enduring influence on music and culture, as well as the intricate process of portraying a contentious public figure like Donald Trump. The episode offers listeners a rich exploration of creativity, societal impact, and the personal challenges faced by artists and actors in their respective fields.

Final Thoughts

Amir Kweslov Thompson's documentary, Sly Lives, AKA the Burden of Black Genius, is now streaming on Hulu, offering an in-depth look at a pivotal figure in music history. Meanwhile, Sebastian Stan's portrayal of Donald Trump in The Apprentice has not only earned him critical acclaim but also invites audiences to reflect on the complexities of representation and empathy in acting.

Additional Resources

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Produced by Theresa Madden. Executive Producer: Danny Miller. Technical Director and Engineer: RD Bentham. Managing Producer: Sam Brigger. Co-Host: Tanya Mosley.