There are not many people in the world of music that have been as influential as the "Godfather of Soul," James Brown. You could say he was the godfather of funk, disco and hip-hop, as well.
One thing is for sure: Brown's contributions to music are immeasurable.
From his early start in the 1950s with the Famous Flames to collaborating with hip-hop pioneers Afrika Bambaataa and Kurtis Blow in the late 1980s, Brown's catalogue and musical influence can still be felt today.
Friday at World Cafe Live at the Queen in Wilmington,singer Corey Osby and hip-hop artist Richard Raw will take the stage along with their band To The Max for the Superbad! James Brown tribute show.
Osby, who worked at The Queen until recently as a bartender, is somewhat of a newcomer to the music industry but you wouldn't have known that when he debuted to a sold-out crowd in September of 2013 for his Rick James tribute show.
Osby, Raw and To The Max will perform some of Brown's biggest hits mixed with the many hip-hop songs that have used samples from the late, great singer.
We had the opportunity to sit down with both Osby and Raw to talk about Brown's influence on music, their personal favorites and what audiences can expect from the show.
Q: So how did you guys come up with the idea for a James Brown tribute show?
Osby: Well, we came up with the idea after the success of the Rick James tribute show, and I kind of wanted to do something a little different. So actually a few hours after the show, which Richard made an appearance in, I approached him with the idea I had about doing a James Brown tribute. I basically feel like the old school is not recognized enough, so not only did I want the show to be entertaining but education[al] at the same time.
Q: So Rich, what is it like for you to be able to represent the hip-hop influence of James Brown?
Raw: It's really natural for me because this is what I listened to when I was growing up.
This is really the golden era of hip-hop for me. It was crazy because when me and Corey sat down and went through a lot of James Brown songs as well as a lot of hip-hop songs that were sampled or influenced by him, we literally ended up going through hundreds of songs. But overall it was just a no-brainer when he asked me because hip-hop was at its height in the late '80s.
Q: What is it about James Brown's music that had such an influence on hip-hop?
Raw: Well if you really look back at his music you will see that ... Bobby Byrd was pretty much James Brown's hype man. So when you look back at James Brown's music you'll see that he really laid the template for hip-hop music, especially the beats. As you watch the show you'll see the progression of his music along with hip-hop. It's going to be a great show and a history lesson at the same time. In my opinion, hip-hop came from James Brown.
Osby: Not only that but James Brown always kept his music very raw. Funk music is raw and in your face, which contributed a lot to hip-hop. Everything from the beats to his dance moves to his voice had a big influence on not just hip-hop but music as a whole.
Q: Speaking of his voice would it be fair to say that James Brown was one of, if not the first person, to start using raw adlibs?
Raw: I would definitely agree with that statement because you listen to his music you'll hear him making sounds like "uhh," "woo", and "yeah!" That really became a major part of hip-hop and even today people have made up their own unique adlibs to their songs. It all started with James at the end of the day. Hip-hop beats are usually repetitive and James Brown was a master at simple repetitive beats.
Osby: James also kept a tight rein on what he put out or not. A lot of music might have seemed raw and on the spot but he was just really that good!
Q: Rich you have always been someone who has paid homage to the golden era of hip-hop. Why do you feel it's so important to keep doing that?
Raw: I would have to say it's really about the originality. Artists today, in my opinion, aren't as original as back in the day. Rakim didn't sound like KRS-One. KRS-One didn't sound like Slick Rick, etc. I feel it's important to keep teaching the younger generation our roots and how this culture came about. I really call it the golden era because it was a time where nobody wanted to sound like other artists. It was all about coming up with your own distinct style or rhythm.
Q: Which song are you guys most excited about performing?
Osby: I would have to say "It's a Man's World" is going to be my favorite because I'm going to be performing with my vocal coach, Iva, and she is a trained opera singer so I think it's going to bring an element that nobody has seen before.
Raw: For me I would have to say it is going to be "Momma Said Knock You Out" because I got my homie DJ Shorty T rocking with me and he's a scratch master anyway, and when we performed it in rehearsal the vibe was electric.
Q: At the end of the day, what do you want to have accomplished by time the show is over?
Osby: I just want people to come have a good time and get to hear music from an artist that influenced so much of the music we listen to today. When I look out into the crowd I want to see all races and colors having a great time but leaving with a little more knowledge on music culture.
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IF YOU GO
WHAT: Superbad! A Tribute to James Brown, featuring Corey Osby, Richard Raw and To The Max
WHERE: World Café Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday
MORE INFO: queentickets.worldcafelive.com
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