"In 1996, the now-defunct hip-hop magazine Rap Pages published The Roots' very first cover story, written by Bay Area scribe Joseph Patel. Twenty-five years later, Patel is an accomplished visual storyteller living on the intersection of culture and music. His résumé boasts media brands like VICE and Vevo. This year, he added another accolade: relinking with The Roots' afroed music leader Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson to help birth the drummer's directorial debut."
"Released in June, Summer of Soul is a documentary about the famed Black Woodstock, an epic Harlem concert that took place back in 1969, featuring the likes of Nina Simone, Hugh Masekela, and David Ruffin, to name just a few. In dazzling technicolor, the film splashes browns onto the interdependent void of Black and American music history. It unearths an undeniable treasure of forgotten history."
Joseph Patel transitioned from writing for Rap Pages to becoming a visual storyteller with credits at VICE and Vevo. He reunited with Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson to produce Thompson's directorial debut, Summer of Soul. The documentary restores footage from the 1969 Harlem Black Woodstock and features artists such as Nina Simone, Hugh Masekela, and David Ruffin. The film uses vivid technicolor to highlight Black contributions to American music history and uncovers forgotten performances. Summer of Soul won Sundance honors and other awards and is now positioned for an Academy Award nomination, elevating Patel's profile as a top producer.
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