James Brown was an American singer, songwriter, dancer and bandleader, widely regarded as one of the founding figures of funk. Emerging from rhythm and blues and soul, he developed a rhythm-driven style during the 1960s built around brass, bass lines and an intensely energetic vocal performance, profoundly influencing funk, hip-hop and many forms of popular music. With songs such as Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag, I Got You (I Feel Good) and Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine, James Brown became one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century.