Music

feature: street dedication of james brown way

December 8, 2014

Eight years have passed since that solemn Christmas day when James Brown passed away. However, his spirit will always have a place in Harlem behind the famed Apollo Theater on 125th St. Six-years in the making – on 126th St. nudged between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Fredrick Douglas boulevards a crowd assembled for the dedication of James Brown Way. Local politicians, religious leaders and Harlemnites all gathered to give this singer and social activist his rightful place in Harlem. His music played in the background while participants shouted lyrics from some of his most famed songs “I’m Black and I’m Proud, Say it Loud Say it Proud,” with ad libs from a woman shouting “an amen goes right there.” We took it to church.

By Priscilla Ward, AFROPUNK Contributor

Harlem historian Jacob Morris was instrumental in leading this project. Morris worked alongside the National Black Theatre to insure that this was made a reality. 

James Brown’s daughter, Deanna Brown Thomas, who is the CEO of the James Brown Family Foundation made remarks about how significant this was to the Brown family. “Everyone here today has been affected by the messages and the music of James Brown,” she said.

City Councilwoman Inez Dickens (D-Harlem) was one of the key sponsors of the bill that would allow this street naming project to take place.  

“This is for future generations so when they look up, they can look up proudly and see that west 126th St. is now known as James Brown Way,” said Dickens.  

His life had a resounding impact on those who shook things up during the Civil Rights Movement, and those younger tasked with re-envisioning it.

“They called it race music, they finally called it soul music, then funk music,” Rev. Al Sharpton said.    

Brown spent time in jail before making his way to top of R&B charts. “I stood with Brown, we stood with Brown and didn’t turn our backs on him,” Sharpton said.

He worked to create viable job opportunities for African Americans through his three radio stations, helping people to realize that their voices matter.

“During his lifetime he pushed the envelope when it came to music and was a social activist. He reminded us to…‘Say It Loud, Say It Proud, I’m Black and I’m Proud.’ He brought funk, he brought soul, he brought joy, and helped us to be proud of who we are. Through his aura, his music and lyrics demanded us to demand a change,” Dickens said.

Following the street naming memorial, there was a screening of the documentary James Brown, the Man, The Music, The Message, Produced by Thomas Hart Jr. the CEO of On The Potomac Productions at the National Black Theatre. The film unveiled the life events that helped to shape Brown into the prolific artist he was.

He was born in Barnwell, South Carolina, on May 3, 1933, into extreme poverty. His distinct vocal and musical style influenced many artists. Some of which include MC Hammer and Michael Jackson. His generational impact is worth noting in order to understand why it’s suitable to call him the ‘Godfather of Soul’ and ‘The Hardest Working Man in Show Business.’

“He came from Georgia, but Harlem embraced him, took care of him,” Dickens said.

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