James Brown(1933 — 2006)
James Brown
États-Unis
6 min read
James Brown (1933-2006) was an American singer, songwriter, and producer, nicknamed the "Godfather of Funk." A pioneer of soul and then funk, he profoundly shaped African American popular music and influenced hip-hop, disco, and pop worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
Famous Quotes
« Say it loud, I'm black and I'm proud. »
Key Facts
- Born in 1933 in South Carolina, died in 2006 in Georgia (United States).
- Known as the "Godfather of Soul" and the "Godfather of Funk."
- Released "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" in 1965, a founding track of funk.
- Released "Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud" in 1968, an anthem of African American pride.
- A major influence on hip-hop, one of the most sampled artists in history.
Works & Achievements
First hit with the Famous Flames, which launched his career in soul music.
Album recorded live that became a huge success and revealed his stage energy.
A founding track of funk, where rhythm takes precedence over melody; Brown's first Grammy Award.
One of his most famous hits worldwide, a symbol of joy and energy.
Often cited as one of the first true funk tracks, centered on the groove.
An anthem of African American pride that became a symbol of the civil rights movement.
An iconic funk track that has had a lasting influence on dance and hip-hop.
Its drum break became one of the most sampled pieces in the history of hip-hop.
Anecdotes
Born into poverty in South Carolina and then Georgia, James Brown earned a few coins dancing barefoot in the street for soldiers and passersby. He taught himself piano, guitar, and drums, and even sang in a gospel church, where he forged the shouts and calls that would become his trademark.
He was nicknamed “the hardest working man in show business”: his concerts lasted for hours and he lost pounds every night from all his dancing. At the end, a member of the troupe would drape a cape over his shoulders as if he were exhausted, then Brown would throw it off to go back and sing again, a theatrical routine that became famous.
On the night Martin Luther King was assassinated, April 5, 1968, James Brown kept his concert in Boston going, broadcast on television to calm the city. By calling for peace from the stage, he helped prevent riots while many American cities were going up in flames.
In 1968, his song “Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud” became an anthem of African American pride during the civil rights movement. On the recording, it is children who chant the famous slogan in response.
James Brown is considered one of the most sampled artists in history: hundreds of hip-hop tracks reuse his drum beats and his shouts, especially the drum break from “Funky Drummer,” played by Clyde Stubblefield.
Primary Sources
Say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud.
Brown urges the audience and television viewers to stay calm and respectful, the day after the assassination of Martin Luther King.
I feel good, I knew that I would now.
In it, Brown recounts his childhood in poverty, his musical apprenticeship, and the building of his band, where every musician had to play his instrument “like a drum.”
Key Places
Town where James Brown was born in 1933, into a very poor family in the segregated South.
City where Brown grew up; he danced in the streets there and took his first steps as a musician. A statue is dedicated to him there.
Legendary venue of African American culture where Brown recorded his 1962 live album that made him famous.
Site of his televised concert on April 5, 1968, the day after Martin Luther King's death, which helped calm the city.
City where James Brown died on December 25, 2006.
Brown performed here in 1974 at the festival preceding the “Rumble in the Jungle” boxing match, reconnecting with the African roots of his music.