Troubled Genius
Sly Stone is a revolutionary musician who practically reinvented black music in the 70s and gave birth to all kinds of genres, from Hip Hop to modern dance music. Sly introduced high-energy visual shows which later Prince took to another level, obviously inspired by Sly Stone.
Sly’s BaZi chart is a masterpiece of artistic and creative perfection. As a Yang Water Day Master, he embodies adaptability, fluidity, and immense intellectual depth. Yang Water is like the ocean—vast, unpredictable, and endlessly creative—traits that perfectly align with his groundbreaking approach to music.
Metal as a Strong Resource (Monkey Branch)
Sly sits on top of the Monkey, which provides Metal (Intellect Component). Metal produces Water in the Five Elements cycle, meaning his intellect, learning ability, and artistic refinement are strongly supported. This suggests that he had a sharp, intuitive mind and a natural ability to absorb musical influences, refine them, and push boundaries.
Wood as a Dominant Creative Force (Yin Wood Rabbit Month & Goat Year)
His chart is dominated by Wood, representing Output Component—the element responsible for creativity, expression, and innovation. The Yin Wood Rabbit (Month) and Goat (Year) form a strong Wood combination, fueling his artistic genius. Wood is visionary, progressive, and constantly growing, which aligns with how Sly reinvented music by blending funk, soul, rock, and psychedelic sounds into something completely new. His ability to pioneer trends rather than follow them comes from this dominant Wood presence.
Yin Water on the Goat – The Networker Super Talent
The Yin Water atop the Goat gives him the Networker Supertalent, making him a naturally outgoing, charismatic, and socially magnetic individual. This trait was crucial for leading a diverse band like Sly & The Family Stone, one of the first racially and gender-integrated bands in rock history. It also made him fiercely competitive, always striving to stay ahead musically and stylistically.
Dynamic Creativity
His chart demonstrates a near-perfect dynamic between Resource (Metal), Creativity (Wood), and Physical Strength (Water), which is a rare gift. This balance gave him an artistic fearlessness—he wasn’t just a musician but an innovator who transformed the sound of an era. However, his strong Wood Output may have also contributed to his rebellious and unpredictable nature, pushing creative limits but sometimes at the cost of stability.
Sly Stone’s BaZi chart shows not only artistic brilliance but also the seeds of his later struggles, particularly his well-documented issues with drug abuse. His Networker Supertalent (Yin Water on Goat) made him extremely social, competitive, and drawn to high-energy environments where he could be the center of attention. This natural charisma and need for constant stimulation likely pushed him toward excess, as he thrived in the limelight but also struggled with the pressures that came with it.
Adding to this, his strong Performer Talent, driven by his dominant Wood Output, made him a natural showman. Performer Talent craves recognition, excitement, and audience engagement. For someone like Sly, who revolutionized music and thrived on stage, the highs of performing were intoxicating—but so were the temptations that came with fame. The relentless drive to stay ahead musically, combined with the chaotic energy of the 1970s music scene, likely made him vulnerable to the escapism of substance abuse.
Conclusion
Sly Stone’s BaZi chart reflects a man born to revolutionize music. His Yang Water nature gave him depth, his strong Wood Output made him an unstoppable creative force, and his Yin Water Networker supertalent ensured he could lead, inspire, and connect with people effortlessly. This combination made him one of the most versatile, innovative, and influential artists of his time.
Also published on Medium.
