JAMES BROWN // 1933-2006

THE GODFATHER IS DEAD...LONG LIVE THE GODFATHER!!!!

The greatest musician of the past 50 years passed away early this Christmas morning.

Although the mainstream press has often noted his genius and important contributions to music, it seems that the post-hiphop generation has forgotten who our daddy is. Since the sampling era passed, The Godfather's visibility to younger fans has decreased greatly. Today, it feels important to revisit some of his contributions...

Without James Brown, there would be no hip-hop music. In light of the immeasurable impact hip-hop has had over the past 28 years -- not just on popular music but on fashion, language, pop culture, race relations, and countless other realms -- it seems almost impossible to overstate the importance of James Brown on American and global society. When Brown decided to add heavy syncopation to the drum track on "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" in 1965, he changed the direction of dance music forever. All dance and pop music since 1965 shows evidence of the JB influence. Is there any other musician of the 20th century that

Without James Brown, the icon of the modern entertainer -- taken to astounding heights by the likes of Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, Prince, and countless others -- would look very different. For James Brown, it was not enough to simply sing. He sought to entertain, and in so doing created a new paradigm in pop culture. Known almost as much for his innovative dance steps and over-the-top stage presence (including his patented cape-removal by Maceo Parker) as his endless string of #1 records, James Brown created a new type of black musician -- one who was loud, proud, and unapologetic about his blackness. And that struck a nerve with his fans -- his "Live at the Apollo" album sold over 1 million records in 1962. That was a first for a black musician in the US.

There have been alotta artists and musicians....but there will only be one Godfather. On behalf of his millions of Godchildren, I offer a salute to the late, great James Brown. Teach di youth, people.....