By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem

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By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem
Genre4-part Docuseries
Directed byKeith McQuirter
ComposerRoger Suen
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes4
Production
Executive producersKeith McQuirter, Nina Yang Bongiovi, Forest Whitaker, Swizz Beatz
ProducersKeith McQuirter, Leslie Asako Gladsjo, Cyndee Readdean
CinematographyDerek Wiesehahn
Production companiesDecoder Media, Significant Productions
Original release
Network Epix

By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem is a four-part documentary series directed by Keith McQuirter. It premiered on November 8, 2020, and concluded on November 29, 2020, on Epix (now MGM+). The series serves as a companion to the scripted drama Godfather of Harlem . [1]

Contents

Overview

Set between 1960 and 1969, the documentary examines a decade of profound cultural transformation in Harlem. It highlights the role of Black musicians and activists who used their art to confront racial injustice. Through genres such as soul, R&B, jazz, Latin, and early forms of rap, the series shows how music both reflected and shaped the civil rights movement, amplifying messages of resistance that echoed globally. [1]

The series includes archival footage and interviews with cast members from Godfather of Harlem, including Forest Whitaker, Giancarlo Esposito, and Ilfenesh Hadera, as well as prominent artists and activists such as Gladys Knight, Herbie Hancock, Nile Rodgers, A$AP Ferg, Reverend Al Sharpton, Martha Reeves and former U.S. Representative Charles Rangel. [1]

Production

The series was executive produced by Godfather of Harlem star Forest Whitaker, along with Keith McQuirter, Nina Yang Bongiovi, and Swizz Beatz. It was produced by Decoder Media and Significant Productions. [2]

Reception

In 2021, Keith McQuirter won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Television or Motion Picture) for his work on the series. [3]

Episodes

Episode list
EpisodeTitleOriginal air date
1MeccaNovember 8, 2020
2Freedom SonsNovember 15, 2020
3CrossroadsNovember 22, 2020
4PowerNovember 29, 2020

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Interview with Keith McQuirter on EPIX's New Music Docu-series "By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem"". NYS Music. 2020-11-06. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
  2. ↑ Jones, Monique. "'Godfather Of Harlem' Expands At Epix With Docuseries On Harlem And Its Music - Blavity". Blavity News & Entertainment. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
  3. ↑ Ramos, Patrick Hipes,Dino-Ray (2021-03-28). "NAACP Image Awards Winners: 'Bad Boys For Life' Best Picture, D-Nice Entertainer Of The Year; Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman Top Movie Acting Honors – Full List Of Winners". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-05-31.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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