James Brown

The Godfather of Soul

Facts

• Born: 1933
• Country: United States
• Field: Music
• Era: Television Age

Overview

Barnwell, South Carolina born singer and bandleader whose Live at the Apollo 1963 became a landmark live album. Papas Got a Brand New Bag 1965 and Cold Sweat 1967 put the emphasis on the first beat of the bar and laid the foundation of funk. Say It Loud, Im Black and Im Proud 1968 became an anthem, and his band grooves became some of the most sampled recordings in hip hop. He was in the first class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.