James Browns Civil Rights Anthem 1968. Shout out to Jimmy Nolan on that guitar! RIP Jimmy.

He said “We’d rather die on our feet, then keep living on our knees ““.. the OG generation was willingly to sacrifice Everything for the next generation

James Brown is the most sampled artist in history. Hip hop owes him 🖖🏼

THE true “Godfather of Soul”… Say no more 🫵😁👍

This came out in the 60’s . Back then calling someone Black could cause a fight be we were taught to be ashamed of being Black. In the 60’s we started embracing our Blackness and be proud of who God made us to be.

The very first time I saw James Brown do his thing was on an old TV show called The Hollywood Palace. He had his whole band, backup singers and the whole bit. I was about six and I absolutely ate it up, his dancing really got my attention. About 35 years later I got to see him live twice in a three year period, once in Philly and once in Atlantic City, my one and only time EVER in that town. And then I wound up in Augusta, Georgia, his home town, for a friends wedding, but after he passed. It was very cool to drive down James Brown Boulevard. He was the true "Godfather Of Soul" and "The Hardest Working Man In Showbiz". BTW, he busts out the cape, Purple with a White interior and sequins, during his first song, and about five more times throughout the show.

Ok. I realize that younger people are busy with their own lives, but this song was and still is so important to our culture. I was 9 years old in '68 when this song was released. I resided in Washington DC at the time during the riots after the assassination of Dr. King. This brings tears to my eyes that you two intelligent people don't know about this song and so many others that we're in fact about the struggles of Black people. The internet has info and Chadwick Boseman portrayed James Brown in the movie. I enjoy watching your channel but this is so sad to witness. It's not just music, there's a message!!

This song came out in 67 or 68. Civil Rights era.

I’ll never forget his epic song from the Rocky movies… “Living in America” ☝️😄🇺🇸

He also wrote this song during a time when we ashamed to be black! He made being black beautiful again!

He's the Godfather of Soul.Tony

KUDOS to you both for checking this tune out. This was a tune that spoke to the ongoing push/struggle for racial equality in this country. Sadly, the struggle continues today. "Keep The Faith".

"Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud" is a funk song performed by James Brown, and written with his bandleader Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis in 1968. It was released as a two-part single which held the number-one spot on the R&B singles chart for six weeks, and peaked at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100. Both parts of the single were later included on James Brown's 1968 album A Soulful Christmas and on his 1969 album sharing the title of the song. The song became an unofficial anthem of the Black Power movement. In the song, Brown addresses racism against Black Americans, and the need for Black empowerment. The song's call and response chorus is performed by a group of young children, who respond to Brown's command of "Say it loud" with "I'm black and I'm proud!" The song was recorded in a Los Angeles area suburb with about 30 young people from the Watts and Compton neighborhoods. The lyrics "We've been 'buked and we've been scorned/ We've been treated bad, talked about as sure as you're born" in the first verse of the song paraphrase the spiritual I've Been 'Buked. "'Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud' was a record that really convinced me to say I was black instead of a negro," remarked Public Enemy's Chuck D. "Back then black folks were called negroes, but James said you can say it loud: that being black is a great thing instead of something you have to apologize for."

An awesome entertainer.

"Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud" was written by James Brown and released in August 1968 -- during the Civil Rights movement and also just four months after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. The civil rights movement (of the 60s) was from 1955 -1968 with the goal of abolishing legalized institutional racial segregation, discrimination, and disenfranchisement throughout the United States. A major catalyst for the Civil Rights movement was in 1955, when NAACP activist Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white man and move to the back on a public bus. Also, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. The '60s were a tumultuous time for race relations in America, and James Brown used his music to break the boundaries of racial segregation. This song became an anthem for the Black Power movement. James Brown has been deemed as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. According to Al Sharpton, the song came about when James Brown witnessed infighting among blacks in Los Angeles. I think you probably would've had to live through the Civil Rights Movement of the 50s/60s to fully understand the importance and significance of your question! I was 11 years old when this song was released. I was white living in the South at the time, and I remember it vividly. Thankfully, my family was on the right side of it. Sorry this was so lengthy. I really liked this reaction and song choice! Thank you! ✌💙✌

And not to be ashamed of being black. Remember Black is beautiful!

Gotta give kudos to Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, and Pee Wee Ellis. Baddest horn section in Funk.

In elementary school here in DC , we had a music teacher that let us sing this song! . We did a whole play around it. James’ music has been sampled so much and by so many. Little Michael Jackson did some James Brown moves for his audition for Motown’s Berry Gordy. James wrote this song during the 60’s civil rights movement. Things were rough for us then. I was born in 64, when the civil rights bill passed. Many artists were doing these black empowerment protest songs during this time.

I am the last of 8 kids in my family and I remember my oldest brother having James Brown and Aretha Franklin records while myself being 13 years younger and 6 or 7 at the time was into the first of the Beatles. Now we are both on the same track and LOVE this soul/funk and entertainment value of James, Aretha and more. Not to mention the message !!

Godfather of Soul right there

James is the 🐐entertainer.

Asia & BJ, you'll love his "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag", "Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine", "I Got You (I Feel Good)" "Please, Please, Please" and many more!!! Todays song is from 1969.

You can't go wrong with the legendary james brown. Y'all should checkout the movie about his life called get on up, mick jagger was one of the co-producers and chadwick boseman played james brown.

Say It Loud I'm black and I'm Proud 1968 was the first time anyone referred to African Americans as black. James Brown made this song to let everyone know that they should be proud of their blackness. Prior to the release of this song, it was taboo to utter the word black man or black women in public. Black people were labeled as Nergro's and later Colored men and women. After 1968 black people called themselves black and became proud of it becsuse of this song. That's why James told everyone to say it loud. He always had a message in his songs in the 60's. SONGS like (I don't want nobody to give me nothing open up the door I'll get it myself and Don't Be a Drop Out) etc.

Meeting James Brown is still one of the highlights of my life…

You should react to Donny Hathaway “Young, gifted and black”

He came along at a time ( 50s and 60s) when Black folks actually needed someone to sing those words. I'll always fly the Godfathers kite cause he was bout positivity and love. And like you and BJ, he was Super bad. ✌️❤️

I am black and I am proud to be who God made me to me and my brothers n sisters. I am proud I am black and a child of GOD.

When this song came out the message was powerful. This was at a time when black people were still coming to grips with being proud of who they were, a time when some older black people, due to centuries of brainwashing into being ashamed of who they were still took offense at being called black as opposed to "negro" or "colored." James Brown's "Say it Loud I'm Black and I'm Proud" was a signal to everyone to stand up and declare your pride in who you were and stop allowing it to be used as a weapon against you. Ashamed of being black? No more. I'm black and I'm proud.

The song that the young lady was talking about that somebody sent her a video of if PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE. It was probably the video from 1964 at THE TAMI SHOW. The Cape routine is probably the most famous routine in all of soul/rock. If you really want to react to something where he dances a lot from that same concert. Please react to NIGHT TRAIN from THE TAMI SHOW! That will blow your minds! James Brown has been my favorite entertainer since 1968 when I was 12 years old. I saw him about 100 times in concert up until 2005. I have all of his albums and 45s. I met him a few times and all that good stuff.

You must see James Brown perform, if you have not. His performances are superb!!!

Say it loud. I'm Black and I'm Proud. ❤️🥳

The Godfather of Funk and Creator of Funk and the One= James Brown; R.I.P.

Go BJ go!! Love James Brown - this song has so much funk in it.💃 Great reaction guys - you can't go wrong with this artist!☺

James Brown inspired us to walk with our heads and afros held high. This was the anthem of The Black Power Movement and Civil Rights Movement in 1968, the year of MLK assassination. Powerful song from the Godfather of Soul.

A time in history and representing a message from the civil rights movement to 'own' the word 'black' as a compliment.

In 1965 my first record was. James brown. ( Mr. Dynamite). My boy friend gave it to me. We got married 1966. Me,. 16. Him 18. We have always loved him. Please play,. Try me. It's so beautiful 💞 💞💞

Lord, have mercy, good God! Godfather of SOUL! That song was Baby Please Don't Go. The movement was for empowerment during the Civil Rights Movement.

I absolutely love James Brown❤

James Brown..."Godfather of Soul"...AMAZING soooo Funky...Just Pure AWESOMENESS!!!...My Father ❤ James Nolan 2!!!

This song came out in 68, 3 years after the riot in Los Angeles. My mother just getting birth to me, In 65. You can actually find video of the black panthers marching to this.

James Brown appeared on "The Dick Clark Show" in the 60's and INSISTED on performing this song with an entire audience of young WHITE teens and adults behind him. A lot of them moved and grooved....but nobody sang !!!! The confusion on some of their faces was priceless.

So glad, there's a song like this. The youth needed it, then now they're too proud. The youth growing up then was much needed. America doesn't allow black men to first be black and then be proud. We're supposed to be ashamed which is IRONIC because we are the true Isrealites.

One of the best anthems ever created by man. Thx for your reaction.

Hey Asia & BJ, James Brown was and always will be known as "The Hardest Working Man In Show Business" & "The Godfather Of Soul" because the man just about singlehandedly invented "FUNK!!!"

This song started a whole movement in the late sixties/early seventies! Everyone was saying “I’m black and I’m Proud”! It was a great slogan for the Black Pride” movement!❤❤

Yes you both are correct. It was released during the Black Power era, he wrote it as a song to uplift and get Black people to have pride in themselves and other Blacks

James Brown sound and style was unique in education in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES)( the godfather brought pure funk among us that was good as GOLD* One of a kind MR. Dynamite€

This was released at the height of the civil rights movement in 1968. We have come a long way from there. I was the Navy, stationed at Treasure Island in San Francisco bay, in the fall and early winter of 68. 68 was a hard year, Martin Luther King was murdered in April and Bobby Kennedy was murdered in June. Lyndon Johnson was sending American boys to be killed in Vietnam. I got invited to a New Years Eve party in 68 by some hippy anti-war activists in San Mateo. I spent the entire night discussing the events and politics of that year with some leaders in the Oakland chapter of the Black Panther Party. As I remember, we all learned a lot about each other. We talked all night and in the morning shared breakfast together before parting ways as friends though we never met again.

The move with the cape is iconic and is one that has shown up in a number of comedy skits :-)

JAMES BROWN'S GREATEST DANCE MOVES EVER - THERE WAS A TIME (mehomey1) 4:53 . This video is on KZfaq. Michael Jackson, Prince, Mc Hammer and Bobby Brown all studied James Brown dancing performances.

The Temptations had a tune in the same vein titled "Message From A Black Man". It's from their 1969 album "Puzzle People". I think you'd enjoy it. Blessings!

The first time I 'heard' this song in th early 90's sort of, when MC Hammer used a sample of it in his song Black is Black. It was my favorite Hammer song back in the day. Then a friend explained the sample and played James Brown Say It Loud. So back in the 90's I mixed a tape that had Black is Black then Say It Loud right after!v✊🏾

Florida will probably pass a law outlawing this absolute masterpiece from being played by the end of the year

Its 2024. How far we have descended as a community since the 1960s & 70.

Bootsy Collins played bass, for James, early on. I heard this in my high school gym class, in 1970. I've had love for funky soul music, ever since. And if James can't make your move, you better check your pulse.

Asia BJ is a big concert in Massachusetts they were about to be all right there the police couldn't control it James Brown cat got out and started that song say it loud I'm Black and I'm proud that's a great contribution two black people that's part of the history James Brown get a lot of cultural songs you listen to the words of the song you'll learn something Young folks don't know nothing about that school don't be no fool get out of the way I can do it just check the history BJ and Asia you'll learn something thank you y'all have a good one okay thank you for bringing up Raymond

This song was everything thing!

U don't dance to this song, you STOMP to it!!!

The album; “ A soulful Christmas“ Release 1968

The horn section was famous. Most moved to Parliament later.

Him and brotha Al Sharpton had a strong bond, he told Al to stay the course. Brother Al looked up to him, that's why he keep his hair the way he does, as a tribute to his mentor!!

I saw James Brown in 1967 when I was 5.

Came out in the sixties tough decade for blacks especially in the south.. Never been heard before.. Being black and proud.. That was the begining of dashikis ,afro, black hair products.. Remember James Brown was Soul brother one and EVERYBODY in America listened to Soul Brother #1 at that time... So if he said to be proud being black .Then thats when people began beleiving in black pride...

I was 8 years old when thos song was written living in the south. They were drafting so many young black men off to the Vietnam War who were either killed or returned home, disrrespected. Much commotion was going on because of integration. At the time, I was in an all black elementary school. All our textbooks were old used ones from the white schools. The average salary range of black people living in that area at the time was between 25.00 to @ 85.00 a week. You could hear politicians' advertisements saying things like if they are elected, they would send all the n.. back to Africa. It wasn't uncommon for white teens to ride past you and throw something at you an shout, the N word. When we heard James Brown song, I'm Black and I'm Proud, it made us feel validated as a people.

Thank You ❤️

Love..Love me some Sir James...fo show!

Godfather of Soul and definitely a legend

I was 10 years old and wearing an Afro Black and proud!

Great song of the civil rights movement. Gave a lot of people hope (late 60’s). James Brown was/is/has been/will always be the Godfather!

Two things ,Tower of Power song still digging on James Brown, and a movie called the commitments .its a comedy with great music about the formation of a band ......

It was written in an era because black people were called color people, it would be on government documents, job applications and such; after the Civil War Rights Movement The God Father of Soul made this Song so Black people would be proud of their Heritage. Say it Loud I’m Black and I’m Proud!

Hardcore funk with a message!

Damn! I had to watch this twice. Dude.. you kicking it. I was a child when this song came out and blacks were ashamed of their blacknee 6ntil James Brown came out with this song. It was motivated because he was booed at a baseball game for singing the national anthem by an all white crowd.

The song that changed a Culture.

Pay back my favorite by James Brown

“Hardest working man in show business”🔥🔥🔥

That song was after Dr King was killed. To give us encouragement to hold on.

Still a very powerful 🎵 song ...Only Soul brotha number one and Curtis Mayfield would dare to lay it all on the line with kinda in yo face protest songs......RIP

Wife here...,If I could I's give a million thumbs up!!!👍

I am a ''white man'' but i am also proud about blacks..yellow..reds etc. bad persons are in any color..and good persons also in any color. See the glass half full always..

The architect of soul Funk and Hip hop

He was Rappin'

...Actually the first rap song to make the charts....

Get it!!

Come on guys, 1968, it’s made all black folks proud to be black

My brother got into the message and the song quickly. The young lady looked a bit confused. She laughing and I guess trying to dissect the lyrics. Hey, wants you hear say it loud I’m black and I’m proud, need you say more. This song is a classic.

High school! This was the joint!

James Brown was banned in Boston until 1968. His first concert was the weekend Martin Luther King was assassinated. Cities across the country was in flames. The mayor of Boston decided to go with the concert anyway. In addition, it was broadcast over tv. There were no riots in Boston. It was a bad era in some ways. Before this song came out, being called Black was a derogatory term. That's the idea behind "say it loud". Short video, there are others of the full concert. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/osx1o7STxK6VgJ8.html

The Godfather of Soul. Great son, great reaction.

You need to check out James Brown "Ain't That a Groove Part 1 & 2"

GODFATHER

This is political funk from the GODFATHER OF SOUL.

Civil rights movement, and using the term Black was replacing the term Negro, which at that time was falling out of favor as a derogatory term used by bigots to describe us. We were loving ourselves and taking our stand as black men and women!

I’m curious is this something you guys have never heard before? James Brown recorded this in 1968 to get rid of the words colored and Negro. Open till that time if you called a black person and black they thought it was an insult and he made it an identity. He doesn’t get a lot of the credit for that what he’s the one that popularized the word black. And he actually hurt his career by doing that after that came out, he lost the majority of his white airplay and many of his white fans because they misconstrued the song. Don’t think it was a violent song which it was not. This was actually the last song that made it to the pop top 10. It was number one on the solar charts I think for eight or 10 weeks.

"I'm Black And I'm Proud" was recorded in Cincinnati. Not Detroit. Not Memphis. Not Philadelphia. Cincinnati, Ohio King Records.

You have to play America still my home by James Brown That's something maybe neither one of you really have heard but try it do you like it

I remember when this was first released questioning whether a powerful lyric should have such a funky back beat i.e. did the groove take away from the message. But the song wasn't addressed to me and , hey, what's James gonna do? BTW James has previous in purposeful lyrics as he had released "Don't Be A Drop Out" at the end of 1966 - "without an education you might as well be dead"

We were just becoming BLACK, before that we were called negro and before colored. It was a movement . Older blacks were still negro and colored. Those are really little kids singing, I'm Black and I'm proud. It was really for the young folks. Most movements start with the young. Martin and Malcolm were young men. Older blacks didn't like them a whole lot

The song was written in a rush in reaction to the assassination of Martin Luther King people reacted to this by protesting and rioting so James Brown was asked to give a concert to calm things down and this song was written especially for the concert hence he said what he said, No offense I can't think why you did not already know this