Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music poster

Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music

2005 Documentary 1 season

TMDB rating 8.0/10 Ended

Soul music has conquered the world in the last 50 years - growing from the raw, electric rhythms of the black underclass, it is now a billion dollar industry with R&B and hip hop dominating the world's charts. It's been the soundtrack to some of the most extraordinary social, political and cultural shifts. Together with the civil rights movement, it has challenged white hegemony, helped break down segregation and encouraged the fight for racial equality. This new six-part series, made by the BBC team who produced the critically-acclaimed Lost Highway, Walk On By and Dancing In The Street series, charts the evolution of soul music - with a fascinating combination of rare archive footage and over 100 contemporary interviews. The movers and shakers from the world of soul – such as James Brown, Mary J Blige, Beyoncé and Martha Reeves, - plus some often overlooked talent, track the music that shaped our lives.

Your status

Track this showAn account keeps your Watchlist, season progress, and ratings.

Seasons1

  • 6 Part Mini-Series

    All episodes available

Cast and details

  • Colin SalmonSelf - Narrator
  • James BrownSelf
  • Bootsy CollinsSelf
  • Ray CharlesSelf
  • Ben E. KingSelf
  • Etta JamesSelf
  • Mary J. BligeSelf
  • Bobby WomackSelf
  • Mavis StaplesSelf
  • George ClintonSelf
  • Martha ReevesSelf
  • Allen Toussaintself
Created by
William Naylor
Network
BBC Two
First aired
May 7, 2005
Latest episode
Jun 11, 2005

Jazz

2001

Kylie

2026

Similar shows

Release dates are original schedules and may differ from availability in your country. A release never marks anything as watched. Last checked Nov 3, 2026.