James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, musician and record producer. A central progenitor of funk and a major figure in 20th‑century music, he was known by numerous nicknames, including “Mr. Dynamite,” “the Hardest‑Working Man in Show Business,” “Minister of New Super Heavy Funk,” “Godfather of Soul,” “King of Soul,” and “Soul Brother No. 1.” Over a career spanning more than 50 years, he influenced the development of multiple music genres. Brown was among the first ten inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on January 23, 1986. His music has been heavily sampled by hip‑hop artists and musicians across many styles. Brown began his career as a gospel singer in Toccoa, Georgia. He rose to prominence in the mid‑1950s as lead singer of the Famous Flames, a rhythm‑and‑blues vocal group founded by Bobby Byrd. With hit ballads such as “Please, Please, Please” and “Try Me,” Brown built a reputation as a dynamic live performer, supported by the Famous Flames and his backing band — sometimes billed as the James Brown Band or James Brown Orchestra. His success peaked in the 1960s with the live album Live at the Apollo and hit singles including “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” “I Got You (I Feel Good)” and “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World.” During the late 1960s, Brown shifted from blues‑ and gospel‑based styles to a new musical approach built on stripped‑down, interlocking rhythms — a development that helped shape funk music. By the early 1970s, he had fully established the funk sound with the formation of the J.B.’s and recordings such as “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” and “The Payback.” He also became known for songs with strong social commentary, including the 1968 anthem “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud.” Brown continued to perform and record until his death from pneumonia in 2006.
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Sex Machine
James Brown Luciano Pavarotti – It’s a Man’s World
Live at St. Lukes, London 2004
Woman
I Feel Good
Papa’s got a brand new bag
Super Bad
Body Heat
Soul Train
Nature
Soul Power
& Joss Stone Live 2005
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