It is my personal opinion that James Brown is the most influential American musician slash performer in the 20th century. He is the point of reference to American music in the 20th century meaning it’s either Pre James Brown or Post James Brown when we refer to American Culture and Music.
Although he is most commonly known as the Godfather of Soul, the man actually transformed Funk and had a profound influence in Disco, R&B, Rock & Roll, Pop, and Hip-Hop.
His music and performance legacy to me is unmatched simply because his profound influence was on genres of music, also the fact he had a profound influence on arguably the two most popular artists from the 70 & 80s such Prince & Michael Jackson, along with David Lee Roth etc, etc. (the list is too long to continue)
Although he had some personal problems in his life, his story is one of the most amazing stories I have read about. Being born in one of the most difficult time for a black person in this country’s history without his parents, raised in the most destitute situation one can possibly imagine and persevering to accomplish what he did without any formal education is amazing.
Sometimes I think what if he was white instead of this RAW Black performer, or what if he died at a younger age what human status would he have been placed in our society.
In writing this comment I hope to inspire some of the younger readers to take time and learned about James Brown’s life.


Sincerely Grateful

I couldn't agree with you more!
He just has an captivating way to inspire people. My first contact with James Brown was when I was a teenager in Cape Verde through the movie Rocky IV, when he sings living in America. That song created on my a love for America and the good thing it represents specially it's freedom because I was so happy to see a black man singing so well in the middle of thousands of people and freely expressing his most inner self. I still remember that moment and get emotional about it.

Rest in Peace, Bro Brown