ICYMI: Questlove to direct definitive Earth, Wind & Fire documentary

Fifth Season has announced a new documentary about the legendary R&B group Earth, Wind & Fire, with a premiere date set for 2025. The documentary, called the "definitive story of the elements," will be directed by Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, the renowned drummer of The Roots, six-time Grammy winner, and Academy Award-winning director. Questlove is known for his deep understanding of music history and culture, and he will now turn his talents to telling the story of Earth, Wind & Fire — a group that has left an undeniable mark on the music world.

In a statement, Questlove expressed his personal connection to the band, saying, "Having been baptized in the Afrocentric joy river of this powerhouse unit, I’ve learned about them, I’ve learned about us & more importantly, I’ve learned and rediscovered myself in the process." He also emphasized the importance of sharing the group’s story of "Soul, Self & Struggle," which reflects both the highs and challenges they faced throughout their career.

The documentary will offer an unprecedented look into Earth, Wind & Fire’s archives, featuring visual, audio, and written material from their peak years.

Additionally, the project has the full support of Maurice White’s estate and current band members. Philip Bailey, Verdine White, and Ralph Johnson expressed their excitement for the project in a joint statement, saying, "We look forward to this in-depth journey of our band, and are so excited to have Questlove directing the documentary."

Who is Earth, Wind, & Fire?

Earth, Wind & Fire, founded by Maurice White in 1969, became one of the most influential bands in music history, transcending genres and blending R&B, funk, jazz, soul, and rock in a unique sound that also embraced Afrofuturism and spiritual themes.
"I wanted to do something that hadn’t been done before," Maurice eis quoted as saying on the band's official bio page.

Their chart-topping hits like "September," "Let's Groove," "Shining Star," and "That’s the Way of the World" continue to resonate across generations, making them one of the best-selling music groups of all time, with over 90 million records sold worldwide.

The group’s sound was innovative, combining intricate horn arrangements, sophisticated vocal harmonies, and lyrical themes that promoted unity, positivity, and spiritual awareness. Their pioneering approach to music, combined with dazzling live performances and signature choreography, helped Earth, Wind & Fire rise to international fame. Questlove's documentary will explore the band's cultural impact and their role in uplifting the black community through their artistic expression.

In addition to their musical accomplishments, Earth, Wind & Fire also stood out for their commitment to Afrofuturism, a movement that combines African culture with futuristic elements, creating a vision of empowerment and hope. (For those interested in Afrofuturism, George Clinton of Parliament Funkadelic noted: "We had put black people in situations nobody ever thought they would be in, like the White House. I figured another place you wouldn’t think black people would be was in outer space...")

What Questlove promises to deliver

Questlove previously explored similar themes in his 2021 documentary, Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), which highlighted the Harlem Cultural Festival and its significance to Black culture. His new documentary on Earth, Wind & Fire is expected to take a similarly thoughtful approach, focusing not just on the band’s musical achievements but also their philosophical and cultural contributions.

Mary Lisio, EVP of Non-Scripted Development & Production at Fifth Season, described the documentary as a unique opportunity to showcase the story of one of the most successful and culturally significant music acts in history. "With the exceptionally talented Questlove at the helm, empowered by Fifth Season’s strong track record in the music documentary space and the production capabilities of our producing partners, we have tremendous confidence this will be a captivating exploration of the groundbreaking group and its rise to global superstardom," Lisio said in the official announcement.

The documentary will be produced by RadicalMedia's Dave Sirulnick and Samantha Grogin, along with KB White, son of Maurice White, through Broken Halo Entertainment. Fifth Season is financing the film, which will provide viewers with a comprehensive look into the life and legacy of Earth, Wind & Fire, ensuring their story reaches a new generation of fans. This documentary marks a new chapter in celebrating Earth, Wind & Fire’s storied career, which has not only shaped the sound of modern R&B but has also influenced countless artists across various genres.

Questlove’s documentary promises to be a powerful tribute to their legacy.