James Brown

blues, doo-wop, funk, gospel music, soul

United States

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Sound in a sentence: "Driven by relentless grooves and punctuated with sharp brass bursts, Brown’s music pulsates with an urgency that demands movement."

James Brown's influence on music and culture is immeasurable, as he pioneered a sound and performance style that reshaped popular music and laid the groundwork for funk, soul, and later hip-hop.

James Brown's influence on music and culture is immeasurable, as he pioneered a sound and performance style that reshaped popular music and laid the groundwork for funk, soul, and later hip-hop. His electrifying presence and relentless rhythm propelled him to the forefront of musical innovation, making him a cultural icon whose impact extended beyond music into social movements, embodying empowerment and resilience in a divided America. Brown's approach to music was revolutionary, characterized by his fierce work ethic and an unparalleled commitment to rhythm. He employed tight arrangements, syncopated grooves, and dynamic brass sections, creating a sound that felt alive and urgent. His performances were a masterclass in showmanship, blending dance and music into an exhilarating experience that captivated audiences and inspired generations of artists who followed. Lyrically, Brown often explores themes of struggle and triumph, drawing from personal experiences while also addressing broader social issues. His storytelling is marked by a confident voice that oscillates between sincerity and irony, reflecting both the joy of celebration and the weight of hardship. This duality captures the essence of his artistry: raw emotion intertwined with infectious energy.

James Brown

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Discography

Albums ()

Get On Up: The James Brown Story – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

The Complete James Brown Christmas

Live at the Garden

The Singles, Volume Two: 1960–1963

The Singles, Volume Three: 1964–1965

The Singles, Volume Four: 1966–1967

The Singles, Volume One: The Federal Years: 1956–1960

The Next Step

The Merry Christmas Album

Say It Live and Loud: Live in Dallas 08.26.68

I'm Back

Make It Funky – The Big Payback: 1971–1975

Funk Power 1970: A Brand New Thang

Foundations of Funk – A Brand New Bag: 1964–1969

Live at the Apollo 1995

Universal James

Love, Power, Peace: Live at the Olympia, Paris, 1971

20 All-Time Greatest Hits!

Star Time

Love Over-Due

Soul Session Live

Roots of a Revolution

Motherlode

Live at Chastain Park

I'm Real

In the Jungle Groove

Gravity

Bring It On!

Nonstop!

Live in New York

People

Soul Syndrome

Hot on the One

The Original Disco Man

Jam 1980's

Take a Look at Those Cakes

Solid Gold: 30 Golden Hits

Mutha's Nature

Bodyheat

Get Up Offa That Thing

Hot

Sex Machine Today

Everybody's Doin' the Hustle & Dead on the Double Bump

Hell

Reality

The Payback

Black Caesar

Slaughter's Big Rip-Off (album)

Get on the Good Foot

There It Is

Sho' Is Funky Down Here

Revolution of the Mind

Hot Pants

Super Bad

Sex Machine

It's a New Day – Let a Man Come In

Soul on Top

Hey America

Ain't It Funky

James Brown's Funky Christmas

Gettin' Down to It

It's a Mother

The Popcorn

Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud

Thinking About Little Willie John and a Few Nice Things

I Can't Stand Myself When You Touch Me

A Soulful Christmas

James Brown Plays Nothing But Soul

Live at the Apollo, Volume II

The James Brown Show

James Brown Sings Raw Soul

James Brown Plays the Real Thing

Cold Sweat

James Brown Plays New Breed