James Brown Concept Map

Follow the Godfather of Souls influences through to toda's modern artists.

James Brown

James Brown’s flamboyant style and energy transcended R&B and spread across many genres and generations. His performances, echoes of which are the norm today, were almost indecent for his time, yet undeniably powerful. As an artist, he mastered the method of combining potent emotion and political themes. Musically, he and the JB’s created a foundation that would eventually build an entire genre. 

Miles Davis

It’s often been said that Miles Davis was to Jazz what James Brown was to funk. A hardworking entertainer in his own right, the trumpeter, bandleader and composer was at the forefront of nearly every major development in Jazz from the mid-‘40s to the early ‘90s. 

Questlove

As young black musicians continue to distance themselves from live instruments and topics that blacks outside of the urban community can relate to, The Roots bandleader/founder Questlove has only gotten closer to the root of the music over the course of his career.  Questlove’s multi-faceted sound has been demonstrated on some of the more experimental albums in recent memory, including D’Angelo’s Vodoo and Common’s ‘Electric Circus.’

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson’s moonwalk, a dance move directly descended from Brown’s fancy footwork, isn’t the only thing that links the King of Pop to the Godfather of Soul.  Rev. Al Sharpton was quoted as saying that in his final conversation with Brown the singer told him that singers like Jackson must continue to create positive music. Jackson himself, admitted that Brown was one of his biggest influences, "James Brown is my greatest inspiration," Jackson said. "When I saw him move, I was mesmerized. ...”

Christina Aguilera

Brown’s personality and performances were spectacles unto themselves, but they never overshadowed his powerful voice.  And while many have modeled their dance routines and flamboyant ways after Brown, few have come close to his vocal power. During the 2007 Grammy Awards, while ironically singing “It’s a Man’s World,” Christina Aguilera separated herself from the Britney Spears and Kelly Clarkson crowd with an amazing performance that would have made the Godfather proud.

Chris Brown

Chris Brown, a young talented R&B artist from Tappahannock, Virginia, has rejuvenated the dance trend amongst young performers with his original routine.  Though Brown’s fairly new to the music scene, the Grammy producers felt he’d earned the right to dance solo during the 2007 tribute to James Brown.

Afrika Bambaataa

A revered gang leader who turned his life around after being inspired by images of Zulu warriors fighting British troops during a trip to Africa, Bambaataa’s responsible for bringing Brown’s sound and pro-black message into the early era of hip-hop.  In 1984 Bambaataa and Brown united to record ‘Unity.’

Busta Rhymes

Busta Rhyme’s trademark “Whoo- Ha” is the hip-hop version of James Brown’s piercing wail heard on classic tracks like “I Feel Good” and “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag.” And though Rhymes doesn’t glide across the dance floor, he’s displayed his penchant for showmanship with record breaking music video budgets and his legendary “Pass the Courvoisier” performance at the 2002 VMAs.

Timbaland

James Brown dabbled in all genres of music, and was successful in most of them. Today, with his extensive work with stars ranging from Nelly Furtado and Missy Elliot to Swizz Beats and Jay-Z, Timbaland is picking up the torch and spreading the nuances of the next level of black musicianship to entirely new audiences.