James Brown Extras

James Brown's sex-filled swagger, his jungle growl and his trademark pompadour all perpetuate the myth of the man known to the masses as the Godfather of Soul.

AUDIO INTERVIEW: Behind the Story
ROLLING STONE spoke with author Jonathan Lethem about James Brown and his love of R&B and funk music.

The Essential James Brown Playlist
From "Please, Please, Please" to "Cold Sweat" -- listen to the biggest hits

Being James Brown
The Godfather of Soul invented funk, befriended presidents and laid the foundations of rap. And he did it by defying the laws of space and time. Inside the private world of the baddest man who ever lived.
BY JONATHAN LETHEM