James Brown left indelible mark on Black culture

World-famous singer, songwriter and bandleader James Brown died of heart failure Dec. 25 after having checked into the hospital a day earlier with pneumonia. He had been expected to perform on New Year’s Eve in New York City and while in the hospital vowed to make this performance.

Some attribute his vow on his last day of life to be a testament to the phrase he liked to describe himself with: “The hardest working man in show business.” This was one of two names for which he was most well known—the other being “The Godfather of Soul.” He earned the former name not only for his relentlessly ferocious performances, which could outlast his audience, but also because of the sheer volume of music he put out and how often he performed.

Brown still performed in his last year of life, his 73rd year, even playing to 80,000 in the Irish Oxegen Festival in Punchestown, Ireland. He was on a tour titled, “Seven Decades of Funk World Tour,” which was to be his last world tour. He continued his schedule despite suffering from prostate cancer, which was in remission following a successful surgery in 2004.

Many have pointed and will continue to point to his troubles throughout his life—from his days as a youth in Georgia, to his latter years. Some others will undoubtedly question his politics, as he did vote for Richard Nixon at some point, or question his treatment of women, all of which are very valid concerns.

However, the indelible mark on Black musical culture cannot be dismissed. His music not only reflected the stride of and the diligence and militancy of the Black liberation struggle, but some of his songs became anthems of Black Pride in the face of racism and state repression, such as, “Say it Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud,” which echoed a mantra of Emiliano Zapata, “We’d rather die on our feet/Than be livin’ on our knees.”

The driving rhythms, laced with pulsating bass and a horn section, and Brown’s unforgettable voice—letting out piercing yells and growls and non-verbal utterances was the voice of an oppressed people. Though Brown did not have the smooth voice of Al Green, who he influenced, both entertainers, in performance, were always on the verge of exploding and their performances were not just good to dance to, but mirrored the frustrations and hopes of working and oppressed peoples.

James Brown will be remembered for his performances, but also because his style of delivery is noted for most resembling hip-hop music. He influenced many younger musicians, most notably, Michael Jackson and Prince. Brown impacted on those whose careers started before his did, like Miles Davis, who also had an influence on James Brown as well. Davis was always conscious of societal changes’ impact on music and resisted critics wanting to keep Jazz music “pure.”

James Brown never learned how to read music. There have been many great musicians who didn’t read or never learned how to read music. Their talent, drive and music are driven by something other than training, or “refinement,” but by the conditions caused by capitalist production and people’s responses to those conditions.

Music can be the artistic expression of the conditions of oppressed masses and/or their mood, as well as being a barometer of the struggle. The great musicians remain relevant and always keep an ear to what’s happening as James Brown did.