James Brown is the subject of a two-part music event on A & E. “James Brown: Say It Loud,” the documentary will premiere on Monday, February 19, and Tuesday, February 20 at 8 pm.
With interviews by Mick Jagger, Questlove, Bootsy Collins, LL Cool J, The Rev. Al Sharpton, Chuck D, Dallas Austin, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, his children Deanna, Yamma and Larry Brown, and many more, “James Brown: Say It Loud” is a definitive look at a complicated life and a reflection on the immense impact Brown continues to have on music and culture today.
With the special featuring the words of Brown himself, below are 10 things we learned from the special.
James Brown helped pioneer “Funk” music and Hip Hop music by hiring legendary guitarist and then-unknown Bootsy Collins to perform in his band. When Brown needed some replacement players after creative differences with his regular band, the Famous Flames, Brown hired Collins on bass after most of his band quit. Collins went on to help usher in funk with George Clinton with Parliment and Funkadelic.
The artist often dubbed the “Godfather of Soul,” also helped birth Hip – Hop where a great number of his songs were sampled on some of the genre’s classic songs.
His sounds can be heard on many hit songs. “Funky Drummer” was sampled by Dr. Dre on “Let Me Ride” and by Public Enemy for “Fight the Power,” “Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud” was sampled on Cypress Hill’s “Insane in the Brain,” and “Funky President” was sampled in N.W.A’s “F***K Tha Police.”
Brown was a successful entrepreneur, owning radio stations, and restaurants and he was one of the first artists to own his imprint (record label).
Brown was friends with Little Richard often filling in for each other when booking gigs. If one couldn’t do a live performance, they’d recommend the other one.
Brown is credited with influencing Bruno Mars, Prince, and Michael Jackson. Jackson even presented Brown with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET Awards.
James Brown was an important part of the civil rights movement, appearing and performing at events that were attended by Dick Gregory, and Marlon Brando at Toggalo College.
Brown had a presence in movies, appearing early on in 1965’s Ski Party starring Frankie Avalon. Brown sang “I Got You (Feel Good)” he appeared as a preacher in “The Blues Brothers” and his most famous movie appearance was in “Rocky IV” where he sang “Living in America.”
Brown was a perfectionist, demanding a standard from his band that is unheard of in today’s music. Band members would be fined as much as $50 if they were late to rehearsals, or gigs, or if they missed a note or mistepped during a performance. Sometimes they would have to practice right after the show to work out the mistakes
Later in his life, drug use plus a tumultuous relationship with his third wife led to a series of series of legal and financial troubles including a 2-year stint in prison for assault.
“James Brown: Say it Loud” premieres Monday, February 19, and Tuesday, February 20 at 8 pm ET/PT on A & E.
