There's bound to be one hell of a jam session in heaven tonight

There's an American spoken word poet, named Amiri Baraka, who once dropped a line that comes to mind right now,"If Elvivis is King, then who is James Brown? God?". Needless to say he was one of the millions inspired my this mere mortal. Just another kid who listened to Soul Power and discovered the strength of his being, on a record scratching itself on the beaten down gramaphone.

James Brown, the Godfather of Soul died today. The usher of hip hop, R&B, and Afro beat music. He is an icon among icons. From Prince to Chuck D, from KRS One to the Beastie Boys, From Mick Jagger to Michael Jackson, just count, count how many legends point to him as an inspiration.

We lost a lot today. We lost a man, we lost an entertainer, we lost a man that could make you dance just with the first three seconds of his song, we lost a man hundreds spoke along with when it was clear that no one, not even James himself knew what he was saying. It was soul, it was within you. The sweat lining his brow, the perspiration on his armpit showed his passion, day in and day out.

Nas' newest cd is called Hip Hop is Dead. I didn't agree with him till yesterday, but today the title has ample relevance. Only a true music fan can understand why and how the king of soul, the master of funk gave rise to the concept of hip hop. The idea is deep, embedded within the words, actions and spirit of James Brown. Today, hip hop might in fact, really be dead.

You know what I liked about him? That he was straight up honest, he didn't bushwhack around you. He didn't care about disagreement with other artists, mostly cuz he knew that if someone did look into his opinions, they'd figure out he was right. You know what James Brown said once? "Disco is James Brown, hip hop is James Brown, rap is James Brown; you know what I'm saying? You hear all the rappers, 90 per cent of their music is me."

Here's to the numerous parties where James Brown made us all funk it up. Here's to the last cape lifted off him. Here's to the sweat, the smiles, the tears that led the charge during turbulent times. James Brown embodies all that is good abut music. It is political, it is inspirational, it can lead a generation to change its thinking, but above all, it is fun. And he never forgot that. He was James Brown, the funkmaster, the original cat who made it fashionable for men to wear tights again.

Black music has always been about the changing times. Black music is always a response to the times, as one man or group sees it. Public Enemy heralded a revolution with thier first release. Michael Jackson was a testament to a changing America. So were ray Charles and Louis Armstrong. James Brown came along and the mood of America was just changing. Change was in the air, an electricity that we could do something great if we only believed. In walks the man in red pants and a purple cape. Say it loud- I'm black and I'm proud. Overnight, just like that, colored folk were no longer colored, they were black. That is the power of music. That is the magic of James Brown.

His charisma was infectious, his words were delievered with the brutal nonchalance of one that knew what he was saying, sure of himself, sure that people would listen, would band together, and then there would be a change.

I don't usually feel sad when someone I do not know passes away. What I mean to say is, that it doesn't really get to me that much. Its life, right? But this past year has been a test to my usually stalwart emotions- Richard Pryor, Ray Charles and now this. Legends, truly, in every sense of the word.

Thank you James Brown for the music. Thank you for being a visionary. Thank you for never being a has-been. Thank you for all you did, all whom you inspired and all that you made us believe in. Let no one say that music is not a powerful force,lest they are unlucky enough to never have heard a heart thumping political rant by you, delivered along with a funky tune no less. RIP James Brown.