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'By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem': Release date, plot and all you need to know about Epix's docuseries

Through archival footage and evocative imagery, the series will feature the multicolored souls of musicians unafraid to use music as a weapon against change

BY NEETHA K

PUBLISHED OCT 16, 2020

A still from 'Godfather of Harlem' (Epix)

Epix's 'Godfather of Harlem' was easily one of the best new shows of television's 2019 fall season. Starring Forest Whittaker as 1960s New York City gangster Bumpy Johnson, the crime drama series delved into Bumpy's efforts to take on the Genovese crime family and regain control of his neighborhood.

Of course, since it is based on a dramatic true story and works as a prequel to the classic film, 'American Gangster', 'Godfather of Harlem' already has a lot to offer. The wait for the second season is, unfortunately, longer than expected due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. However, Epix is instead giving its viewers a different look at the series and the history behind it through the docuseries, 'By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem'.

Taking its title from the name of the series and its first episode, the docuseries brings alive the dramatic true story of Harlem and its music during the 1960s and connects that history to our present moment. Read on to know more about the docuseries.

Release date

'By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem' will premiere on Epix on Sunday, November 8, at 10/9c.

Plot

The official synopsis for the docuseries reads: Featuring interviews with the stars of 'Godfather of Harlem', including Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker, Giancarlo Esposito and Ilfenesh Hadera and musicians Gladys Knight, Martha Reeves, Herbie Hancock, Nile Rogers, A$AP Ferg, Chika, Joe Bataan and Freddie Stone, 'By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem' will take audiences on a musical journey that brings to life the excitement of 1960s Harlem and introduces the artistes who dared to use their voices, instruments and lyrics to take a stand against oppression.

Other notables in the series include activist Al Sharpton, former US Representative Charles Rangel and poet Sonia Sanchez. Through archival footage and evocative imagery, audiences will see beyond the black and white historical images into the multicolored souls of musicians unafraid to use music as a weapon against change.

Producers

'By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem' is executive produced by Nina Yang Bongiovi and Forest Whitaker from Significant Productions, along with Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean and Keith McQuirter of Decoder Media.