Director Lisa Cortés’ (“The Remix: Hip Hop X Fashion”, “Invisible Beauty”) electrifying and groundbreaking documentary about Richard Penniman (aka “Little Richard”) proves the point that the stories passed down about the origins of rock and roll have been whitewashed. The so-called “Architect of rock and roll”, Little Richard was ripped off, copied, and otherwise taken for granted by a white music establishment all too eager to embrace the likes of Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and the Rolling Stones.

Joining Ken on the pod, Lisa describes how the film goes beyond biography to delve into the undertold story of the Black queer origins of rock and roll. Why was it that, at different periods, Richard could swerve so drastically from being outwardly, publicly queer to denying his sexual identity? What was Richard’s complex and changing relationship to preaching the gospel? And what was the one question that Lisa would have asked Richard had she been able to? “Little Richard” is so much more than a music doc; it’s everything you’ve been missing about one of the true geniuses of rock and roll.

“Little Richard: I Am Everything” is streaming on Max.

Hidden Gem:

“Richland”

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