James Brown was an iconic American singer, songwriter, and performer whose influence shaped the course of 20th-century music. Widely known as the Godfather of Soul and Mr. Dynamite, Brown pioneered funk and had a career spanning more than five decades. Rising from gospel roots in Georgia, he broke through in the 1950s with the Famous Flames and became famed for electrifying performances and hits like Please Please Please, Papa's Got a Brand New Bag, I Got You I Feel Good, and It's a Man's Man's Man's World. Brown redefined rhythm and blues with his energetic style, helped create the funk genre in the late 1960s and early 1970s with classics like Get Up I Feel Like Being a Sex Machine, and became a voice for social change with songs such as Say It Loud I'm Black and I'm Proud. A major figure in the development of soul, funk, and hip-hop through his heavily sampled music, Brown earned numerous honors, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His legacy endures as one of the most influential artists in music history.