James Brown
James Joseph Brown
James Brown is an American singer from Barnwell, South Carolina active since 1953.
- Profession
- Singer, Songwriter, Bandleader
- From
- Barnwell, South Carolina
- Born
- May 3, 1933
- Years active
- 1953–2006
Early life
Born into poverty in South Carolina and raised in Augusta, Georgia, James Brown rose from a gospel and R&B group to become an electrifying live performer known as "the hardest-working man in show business."
Career
He invented funk with rhythm-driven records like "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" and "Cold Sweat," and anthems like "Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud" made him a cultural force.
Major achievements
A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, his grooves became the most-sampled foundation of hip-hop, underpinning countless records.
Legacy
James Brown's rhythmic innovations birthed funk and provided the DNA of hip-hop, making him one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.
References
Related personalities
Michael Jackson
Singer · Songwriter
Michael Jackson is an American singer from Gary, Indiana active since 1964.
Patti LaBelle
Singer · Songwriter
Patti LaBelle is an American singer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania active since 1960.
Anderson .Paak
Singer · Rapper
Anderson .Paak is an American singer from Oxnard, California active since 2011.
Chaka Khan
Singer · Songwriter
Chaka Khan is an American singer from Chicago, Illinois active since 1969.