Brother Rapp

Last updated
"Brother Rapp (Part 1) & (Part 2)"
Single by James Brown
from the album Sex Machine
B-side "Bewildered"
ReleasedApril 1970 (April 1970)
Genre Funk
Length
  • 3:00(Part 1)
  • 2:20(Part 2)
Label King
6310
Songwriter(s) James Brown
Producer(s) James Brown
James Brown chartingsingles chronology
"Funky Drummer (Part 1)"
(1970)
"Brother Rapp (Part 1) & (Part 2)"
(1970)
"Get Up I Feel Like Being Like a Sex Machine (Part 1)"
(1970)

"Brother Rapp" is a 1970 funk song written and performed by James Brown. It was first released as a two-part single on King Records (K6285) in early 1970, but was quickly withdrawn from sale. It was released again later that year in a mechanically sped-up version that charted #2 R&B and #32 Pop. [1] It also appeared on the album Sex Machine with overdubbed crowd noise, and Brown later issued it in a faded version with different guitar work, in 1973 for the Slaughter's Big Rip-Off soundtrack album. A live version of "Brother Rapp" is included on the album Love Power Peace .

In his 1986 autobiography, Brown related the lyrical message of "Brother Rapp" to his support of hip hop music:

I admire the rap and the break dancing and all the stuff coming out of hip hop. A lot of the records are messages that express community problems. Used right, those records could help prevent the riots of the sixties from happening again. If you know how a community feels about things, then you can do something about it... That's what my song "Brother Rapp" is all about. A fella is calling on his lady and protesting at the same time: "Don't put me in jail before I get a chance to rap. Here what I'm saying. When you see me on a soapbox out there complaining, don't lock me up. Sit down and join me." And that's what I'm saying about these records. Let 'em testify. Let the brothers rap. [2]

Related Research Articles

Prince Paul (producer) American record producer and DJ

Paul Edward Huston, better known by his stage name Prince Paul, is an American record producer, disc jockey and recording artist from Amityville, New York. Paul began his career as a DJ for Stetsasonic. Since then he has worked on albums by Boogie Down Productions, Gravediggaz, MC Lyte, Big Daddy Kane and 3rd Bass, among others. Major recognition for Prince Paul came when he produced De La Soul's debut album 3 Feet High and Rising (1989), in which he pioneered new approaches to hip hop production, mixing and sampling, notably by including comedy sketches.

New school hip hop Movement in hip hop music

The new school of hip hop was a movement in hip hop music beginning 1983–84 with the early records of Run–D.M.C. and LL Cool J. Like the preceding hip hop, it came predominantly from New York City. The new school was characterized by drum machine led minimalism, often tinged with elements of rock. It comprised rapping taunts, boasts, and socio-political commentary delivered in an aggressive, self-assertive style. In song and image its artists projected a tough, cool, street b-boy attitude. These elements contrasted sharply with funk and disco, novelty hits, live bands, synthesizers and party rhymes of artists prevalent in the early 1980s, thus rendering them old school. New school artists crafted shorter songs more amenable to airplay, and more cohesive LPs than their old school counterparts. By 1986 their releases began to establish hip hop as a fixture of the mainstream.

Little Brother (group) American hip hop duo

Little Brother is an American hip hop duo from Durham, North Carolina that consists of rappers Phonte and Big Pooh. DJ and Producer 9th Wonder was an original member of the group but departed in 2007. The group has produced five acclaimed studio albums and six mixtapes.

Melle Mel American rapper from New York

Melvin Glover, better known by his stage name Grandmaster Melle Mel is an American hip hop recording artist who was the lead vocalist and songwriter of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

<i>Livin Like Hustlers</i> 1990 studio album by Above the Law

Livin' Like Hustlers is the debut album by American hip hop group Above the Law. It was released on February 20, 1990, via Ruthless Records; an advanced promo cassette version was released two months earlier. The ten track record was produced entirely by Dr. Dre and Above the Law and featured a guest performance from N.W.A on the track titled "The Last Song". In addition, Eazy-E served as executive producer of the album. It peaked at number 14 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 75 on the U.S. Billboard 200.

"Ether" is a diss song by American rapper Nas, from his 2001 album Stillmatic. The song was a response to Jay-Z's "Takeover", a diss track directed towards Nas and Prodigy.

Country rap is a fusion genre of popular music blending country music with hip hop–style rapping.

Let Me Ride 1993 single by Dr. Dre featuring Jewell and Snoop Dogg

"Let Me Ride" is a 1993 single by rapper and producer Dr. Dre, and the third single from his debut studio album, The Chronic. It experienced moderate success on the charts, until it became a massive hit when Dre won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance for the song during the Grammy Awards of 1994. The chorus is sung by Ruben and Jewell, and Snoop Dogg raps the line "Rollin' in my 6-4" and appears in some background vocals.

Lecrae American Hip hop artist, entrepreneur, record producer, and actor

Lecrae Devaughn Moore, mononymously known as Lecrae, is an American Christian rapper, singer, songwriter, record and film producer, record executive, actor, and entrepreneur.

<i>Take a Look Around</i> (album) 1990 studio album by Master Ace

Take a Look Around is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Masta Ace. It was released on July 24, 1990 through Cold Chillin' Records with distribution via Reprise Records. Recording sessions took place at House Of Hits in Chestnut Ridge, New York and at Libra Digital Sound in Long Island City. Production was handled by Marley Marl and Mister Cee.

<i>Knowledge Is King</i> 1989 studio album by Kool Moe Dee

Knowledge Is King is the third solo studio album by American rapper Kool Moe Dee, released on May 30, 1989, via Jive Records.

The Payback (song) 1974 single by James Brown

"The Payback" is a funk song by James Brown, the title track from his 1973 album of the same name. The song's lyrics, originally written by trombonist and bandleader Fred Wesley but heavily revised by Brown himself soon before it was recorded, concern the revenge he plans to take against a man who betrayed him. The song is notable for its sparse, open arrangement and its use of wah-wah guitar – a relative rarity in Brown's previous funk recordings. Released as a two-part single in February 1974, it was the first in an unbroken succession of three singles by Brown to reach #1 on the R&B charts that year – the last chart-toppers of his career. It also peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was his second, and final, single to be certified gold by the RIAA.

Dont Think They Know 2013 single by Chris Brown featuring Aaliyah

"Don't Think They Know" is a song by American R&B recording artist Chris Brown. It was released on June 17, 2013, as the second official single from his sixth studio album X. The song, produced by Mel & Mus, features a posthumous appearance from American R&B singer Aaliyah. The song contains an interpolation from the Tim & Bob produced single "They Don't Know" by Jon B. The song peaked at number 81 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<i>Gravitas</i> (Talib Kweli album) 2013 studio album by Talib Kweli

Gravitas is the sixth solo studio album by American rapper Talib Kweli. The album was released on December 15, 2013, by Javotti Media. The album was released exclusively through Talib Kweli's website. The album features guest appearances from Gary Clark Jr., Abby Dobson, Big K.R.I.T., Raekwon, The Underachievers, Black Thought, Rah Digga and Mike Posner among others. With production coming from Oh No, Khrysis, Statik Selektah, Rich Kidd and J Dilla among others.

<i>The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 5</i> 2013 studio album by E-40

The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 5 is the nineteenth studio album by American rapper E-40. The album was released on December 10, 2013, by Heavy on the Grind Entertainment. The album features guest appearances from 2 Chainz, Young Bari, Roach Gigz, Iamsu!, Kool John, Gucci Mane, Young Scooter, Z-Ro, Big K.R.I.T., Danny Brown, Schoolboy Q, B-Legit, Mike Marshall, Too Short, Work Dirty, Laroo T.H.H., Stressmatic and J. Banks.

<i>The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 4</i> 2013 studio album by E-40

The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 4 is the eighteenth studio album by American rapper E-40. The album was released on December 10, 2013, by Heavy on the Grind Entertainment. The album features guest appearances from Droop-E, Work Dirty, Young Dro, Chris Brown, Spodee, NHT Boyz, T.I., King Harris, Cousin Fik, Choose Up Cheese, J. Stalin, Bosko, Webbie, Ty Dolla Sign, and Mike Marshall.

<i>The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 6</i> 2013 studio album by E-40

The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 6 is the twentieth studio album by American rapper E-40. The album was released on December 10, 2013, by Heavy on the Grind Entertainment. The album features guest appearances from Rick Ross, French Montana, B-Legit, Iamsu!, Sage the Gemini, Eric Statz, Skeme, Problem, Gucci Mane, Trinidad James, Jeezy, Cousin Fik, Mac Mall, San Quinn and Clyde Carson.

The Blacker the Berry (song) 2015 single by Kendrick Lamar

"The Blacker the Berry" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kendrick Lamar. It was included as the thirteenth song on the track-listing of his third studio album To Pimp a Butterfly (2015). "The Blacker the Berry" was released as second single from the album on February 9, 2015. The song shares its title with the novel The Blacker the Berry by American author Wallace Thurman. The track produced by Boi-1da, Terrace Martin, and KOZ. It has a chorus that features from Jamaican artist Assassin. The album version also contains additional vocals provided by neo soul singer Lalah Hathaway. Upon its release, "The Blacker the Berry'" received rave reviews from contemporary music critics. However, its also elicited controversy due to Kendrick Lamar's commentary on the death of Trayvon Martin. In the United States, it peaked at number sixty-six on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. The single has since been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

White Privilege II Single by American hip hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

"White Privilege II" is a song by American hip hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis from their second album This Unruly Mess I've Made (2016). The song, a sequel to Macklemore's solo song "White Privilege" from his first album The Language of My World (2005), discusses white privilege and the social movement associated with Black Lives Matter. According to the duo, "this song is the outcome of an ongoing dialogue with musicians, activists, and teachers within our community in Seattle and beyond. Their work and engagement was essential to the creative process." The song's lyrics span around nine minutes and 1,300 words. One of the project's collaborators is Chicago singer Jamila Woods, whose voice is featured on the track. "White Privilege II" was released as promotional single on January 22, 2016.

James Wesley McGee, known professionally as Jay W. McGee, was an American-Canadian musician. He was most noted for several early rap singles released under the stage name Mr. Q, including "Ladies Delight", the first known Canadian hip hop single.

References

  1. White, Cliff (1991). "Discography". In Star Time (pp. 54–59) [CD booklet]. New York: PolyGram Records.
  2. Brown, James, and Bruce Tucker (1986). James Brown: The Godfather of Soul, 263. New York: Thunder's Mouth Press.