James Brown is one of the most beloved and iconic musicians in history, and his daughters say that hip-hop and rap music would not have been as successful and influential as it is now without him.
"There would be no hip-hop. There would be no rap because he's the most-sampled artist," Deanna Brown told People Magazine. "There would be no Michael [Jackson], there would be no Usher, there'd be no Chris Brown - all these people who took from him."
Brown's music legacy will be revisited in A&E's upcoming four-part docuseries "James Brown: Say It Loud."
"I mean, where would it be? You could ask a lot of these musicians, they'll tell you the same thing. It would probably be zero," she continue, noting that even LL Cool J agrees with her sentiments.
"I think LL [Cool J] says that in the documentary that the trajectory of music would be - he can't even imagine where it would be without James Brown."
James Brown 'Created' Fun, Influenced New Generation of Music
According to reports, "James Brown: Say It Loud" is slated for release on Feb. 19 and 20 at 8 p.m. ET, which will follow the legendary singer's journey from being a gospel singer in Toccoa, Georgia to a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.
"Somebody sitting at home maybe watching it and think, 'His story is not that dissimilar than mine, and look what he went on to do.' And if you can inspire somebody to be the greatest at what they can be, that's amazing," said Yamma, Brown's other daughter.
"I just wish he was still here to see some of this. He would not believe it. He would not believe it," she added, bittersweetly.
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James Brown the Godfather of Soul
While the artists mentioned above did not explicitly cite Brown as their inspiration for their music, it cannot be denied that the "Godfather of Soul"'s impact and influence is widespread; he left traces of his legacy in today's music.
"He felt God had a calling on his life. Music really was his purpose," explained Tamma about why her father was so passionate about music.
According to reports, Brown grew up in poverty and in an abusive household, he turned to music for inspiration and strength to carry on and persevere.
Brown's biggest hits include "Please Please Please, "Try Me," "I'll Go Cravy," Bewildered," and more.
READ ALSO: James Brown Documentary Confirms 2023 Release; Mick Jagger to Executive Produce
