James Brown’s Music
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Kenyatta University *
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English
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Nov 24, 2024
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docx
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James Brown’s Music
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James Brown’s Music
Funky Drummer
This song is a popular instrumental funk track composed by James Brown and Clyde
Stubblefield. This song contains repetitive drum breaks suitable for mixing with other genres
while deejaying, which is often used as a sample in hip-hop. This song has a steady drum break,
a strong backbeat, and a driving beat that would make it easy to mix and blend with tracks. In
addition, the song also employs some other elements such as a funky bassline, guitar riffs, and
horn section, which are perfect blends for deejaying especially when targeting a danceable and
energetic element in my set to increase the dancing vibe within a club or any other party events
that invoke the dancing. The song mainly showcases the musicianship between Brown and
Stubblefield, especially the drumming part. The repetitive drum break in the song is the main
element that shows Stubblefield’s drumming skills. Hence, this song’s energetic and upbeat
nature makes me feel uplifted and happy. All the elements in the song have been well used to
create a sense of hypnotic energy that put me in a trance-like state.
Funky President
When listening to “Funky President” by Brown, there is a catchy feeling of the song, an
attractive upbeat funk rhythm with a strong bassline and horns. Brown comes in with charismatic
vocals from 0:15-1:33 as the song keeps the repetitive and danceable beats. It employs a unique
call-and-response structure that, if I were a DJ, I would easily mix with other tracks incorporated
with its celebratory lyrics and energy that please the crowd. Also, the song’s use of instrumental
solos is a perfect part as a DJ where I can add my own creative touches to the track as I play it. In
this song, Brown advocated for change in leadership by asking the president to take action on
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injustice, poverty, and unemployment. When listening to the lyrics of this song, I get encouraged
to get up and be involved in the political process so as to make a difference in the community.
The Payback
The song fuses sound from keyboards, horns, drums, and a heavy bassline, creating an
energetic sound. The song has its main focus on the theme of revenge, where Brown sings about
getting payback for those who do wrong. Brown has merged song lyrics with metaphorical and
colorful language, such as “I’m mad as hell, and I ain’t gonna take it no more” the song has
featured several instrumental breaks I would take advantage of to improvise it. It has a sense of
spontaneity and energy, which are critical while deejaying. The powerful and dynamic vocals by
Brown, which are characterized by a different style of screaming, shouting, and repeating words,
give me a sense of intensity and energy and wanting to move and groove.
My Thang
The song “my thang” features drums, guitar, tambourine, trumpet, saxophone, and piano.
The phrase “gimme’ my thang” is used throughout the song, so the entire song can be considered
a good sampling area to hear. From 0:00-4:38, there was no exact time stamp for using the
phrase “gimme my thang.” I would use this as my sampling area if I were a DJ and throw in
some other mixes that can keep people more excited and interested to listen. The song is about a
romantic relationship, although the lyrics reference some dancing and partying. The consistent
screams expressed by the Brown throughout the song are irritating, and I am not a big fan of
that.
Get up, Get into It, Get Involved
The song features fund and soul music while a heavy emphasis on Brown’s powerful
vocals and the band’s tight instrumental grooves. I was able to hear drums, bass guitar, horn
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section, guitar, and Brown’s signature shout-outs and scatting. All these elements would be the
perfect sampling area, especially from 5:21-5:30, where Brown keeps repeating “get on up, get
into it, get involved” because it is catchy and could be merged with other songs using the same
idea. If I were a DJ, I would use that opportunity to throw in a few bars to entertain the crowd.
The song intends to motivate people to get up and get themselves busy doing something
productive. Nevertheless, this was a good song, and it made me feel like getting up and dancing
as I bobbed my head a little bit. Listening to the lyrics, I feel encouraged to get involved and be
active.
It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World
After listening to this song, I noticed the sounds of guitar, saxophone, trumpet, and piano
instruments. For instance, from 0:06-10, a trumpet sound is produced, which would be a vital
sampling area because it feels quick and could be used in other songs easily. As a DJ, I would
bring in someone to sing along and keep people more excited since it is a slow-dancing type of
song. This song by Brown provides an overview of man’s world since it is the most repeated part
in the lyrics. In addition to that, the world run by men calls for men’s effort. Thus, when listening
to this song, I feel empowered and proud while at the same feeling sadness and frustration about
how the world treats marginalized groups and women.
Say it Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud
I have listened to this song and discovered sounds from various instruments like those
producing bass, drums, trumpets, guitar, and saxophone. There is a part between 0:06-14 where
Brown says, “I’m Black, and I’m proud,”is a good sampling point because many people would
want to use that part in their song if they wanted. Therefore, as a DJ, I would throw in mixes that
make up a pop song so as to keep people dancing. The song is very political and socially
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conscious because it reflects times when the black community faced discrimination and racism,
and it encourages black people to remain proud of who they are and claims their rights as well.
Thus, this song makes me feel empowered, and I would want to play and listen to it regularly.
Get up (I feel like Being a) Sex Machine
This song incorporates a catchy horn section, a groovy rhythm section with percussion
and drums, and soulful and powerful vocals together with a bassline. From 0:00-35, Brown
mentions, ‘Get on up (feel like being a) sex machine,’ and it is the perfect sampling point
because it is the catchiest part of the song. If I were a DJ, this is the point I would throw in the
best mixes to keep that part more lit. The song is about expressing the feeling of sexual
empowerment and confidence together with the desire to dance and have a good time. However,
this song does not make me feel any type of way; having listened to it a number of times from
stepdad but still, I would dance to it if I were at a party.
Blues and Pants
Listening to this song, I was to hear a mix of guitar, trumpet, drums, trombone, and bass.
For instance, from 5:01-20, I was able to notice the trumpet or the trombone playing, which I can
merge with one or two songs. Alternatively, If I were a DJ, I would use the entire song and play it
as it is. This song might portray Brown’s feelings for a particular, and he is actively involved in
expressing his feelings for her. The song “Blues and Pants” gives me a jazz feeling of partying
slowly and calmly, where I would be doing a little two steps.
Get up Offa That Thing
This song uses drums, a bassline, a saxophone, and a guitar. I would be interested in
sampling the saxophone that plays from 1:50-2:00 and reusing it throughout the song. This a
perfect song for partygoers because it keeps the party going for longer hours. Listening to the
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song, I think Brown uses it to motivate people to get up and move for whichever thing might
make them feel lit. It is a song that makes me happy and encourages me to get up and move a
little bit. The chorus of this song comes out energetic, and it suits me perfectly.
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