Main content

James Brown - without him No Hip Hop!

James Brown has the most monickers in music - Soul Brother No 1, the Godfather of Soul, the Hardest Working Man In Showbiz - would he live up to his status as both Diva and Hero?

'First there was Beethoven, then there was Bach and then there was Brown' - that's what James Brown - Mr Brown to Trevor - said before they started an interview in a hotel, just a few days before he also recorded an exclusive concert for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.

James Brown has the most monikers in music - Soul Brother Number One, the Godfather of Soul, the Hardest Working Man In Showbiz - but would he live up to his status as both Diva and Hero for Trevor. He was charming, after throwing the first question straight back with a wise and witty quip, but Trevor had the feeling that he could turn at any moment and the results would not have been pretty.

Key tracks, his childhood in poverty, stage tricks, theatrics, his first visits to british television studios and the fact that he was the most sampled (and least financially compensated) artist on the planet all come up in their fascinating and thrilling conversation.

He was of course a huge figure - even at the age of 70 - sharp, sassy, cocky, complicated and provocative all at once. James Brown simply didn't care what people thought of his politics, behaviour and horrendous private life, but, without him, no Hip Hop and no great stage performances from the likes of Prince and Michael Jackson. One hundred percent true Diva.

Available now

34 minutes

Music Played

  • En Vogue

    My Lovin'

    • The New Soul Album (Various Artist.
    • Sony Music TV.
    • SONYTV-63CD*.
  • James Brown

    I GOT YOU (I FEEL GOOD)

    • THE HARDEST WORKING MAN IN SHOWBUSINESS.
    • POLYDOR.
    • 849-1102.
  • James Brown

    GET UP OFFA THAT THING

    • OUT OF SIGHT.
    • POLYDOR.
    • 589279-2.
  • James Brown

    IT'S A MAN'S MAN'S MAN'S WORLD

    • JB40 - JAMES BROWN 40TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION.
    • POLYDOR.
    • 535 888-2.
  • James Brown

    COLD SWEAT

    • THE BEST OF JAMES BROWN.
    • KTEL.
    • NCD-3376.
  • James Brown

    PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

    • GODFATHER OF SOUL.
    • SPECTRUM.
    • 550-040-2.
  • James Brown

    GET UP I FEEL LIKE A SEX MACHINE

    • JAMES BROWN - 40TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION.
    • POLYDOR.
    • 535 888-2.
  • James Brown

    Living in America

    • The Very Best Of.
    • Polydor.
    • 845-828 2.
  • James Brown

    FUNKY PRESIDENT

    • Reality.
    • Polydor.
    • CD-523981.
  • James Brown

    The Payback

    • The Payback.
    • Polydor.
    • PD-2-3007.
  • James Brown

    FUNKY DRUMMER

    • 70's Funk Classics.
    • collectables.
    • CD-8412.
  • James Brown & Full Force

    I'm Real

  • Louis Jordan

    CALDONIA

    • LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!.
    • PICKWICK.
    • PWKS-4251.
  • James Brown & The Famous Flames

    I GOT THE FEELIN'

    • The Soul of James Brown.
    • POLYDOR.
    • 2852-002.
  • James Brown

    Licking Stick

    • James Brown: The CD of JB.
    • Polydor.
    • 825-714 2.
  • James Brown

    She's The One

    • Foundation of Funk.
    • Universal.
    • 73145311672.
  • James Brown

    PAPA'S GOT A BRAND NEW BAG

    • THE PROMISED LAND.
    • COLUMBIA.
    • 478585-2.

Broadcasts

  • Sat 17 Apr 2021 00:00
  • Sun 24 Jul 2022 01:00