James Brown

James Joseph Brown, the 'Godfather of Soul,' was one of the most influential performers in twentieth-century popular music, the artist who played a central role in shaping funk by shifting musical emphasis from melody and harmony to rhythm and groove. His roots in the blues were fundamental: he grew up in Augusta, Georgia, performing on street corners and absorbing the blues, gospel, and R&B that surrounded him. His recordings 'Please, Please, Please,' 'Papa's Got a Brand New Bag,' 'I Got You (I Feel Good),' and 'Sex Machine' revolutionized popular music and influenced hip-hop, dance music, and virtually every form of popular music that followed.