Off The Record – A Phone Convo With James Brown

James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was a singer, songwriter, dancer, musician, and executive who changed the course of modern music. His well earned nicknames included the “Godfather of Soul,” and the “Hardest Working Man in Showbiz.”

For half of a century Brown would rack up soul, funk, r&b and pop hits. Artists like Michael Jackson, and Prince revere James Brown, and consider him a major influence. Hip Hop music itself would build a genre off of his funk breaks and samples. Outside of music his social awareness and activism during the civil rights movement inspired black people across the globe.

Here is a classic “off the record” phone conversation between, Joe Smith, and the Godfather of Soul himself.

courtesy of the Library of Congress