Please remind,
Those that I leave behind,
That life was a piece of mine, and
I'm at peace of mind.
.
.
1933-1953
A racist quarter,
Where blatant torture remained; I was raised in Georgia,
Pain would exchange with horror; Staggering in defeat,
I was thrown in the ditches, savages in the streets,
Basking in deceit; Frolicking in its portions,
Robbing from the rich, pocketing my misfortunes,
This option was distorted; This force pierced my vision,
The blur from greed brought the four years of prison,
This course cleansed my image; I was faced with flaws,
But my voice carried me, with my faith in God,
I was placed at odds, but my options opened with,
My chance to live as a gospel vocalist.
.
.
1953-1958
The Famous Flames,
That was us, as we changed our names,
Now Gospel was the past, we rearranged the game,
With up tempo beats; We acknowledged the roots,
With mainstream appeal combining gospel and blues,
We gained a following youth; Never dreamed this far,
And I evolved as one; The bands leading star,
Just at ease, in awe; On the road, in spots,
While my debut song just rose the charts,
A molded art; I was anxious, and,
On the way to stardom,
I would make some friends,
Michael Jackson, Aretha; My heart desired,
Mr. Richard's views;
His art, retired,
One of the greatest to live,
It ended regrets,
But I stopped my tour,
Just to give him respect,
But give it a rest?
I had a vicious plan,
So I added new members,
And picked his band,
Who would've known,
That I would actually live to favor,
My life on the upside, as an innovator.
.
.
1959-2006
My music became a ritual, bigger,
Sending a message as a racial political figure,
Sold out shows, the crowd so ecstatic, and loud,
Off of the movement that started 'I'm Black and I'm Proud',
The lavish lifestyles, was just so addictive and such,
The late nights out, and being a victim of drugs,
Living it up, my songs now revealed a presence,
That will stick forever; An appealing legend,
And built in essence, so real and sacred,
That I became the one- The billboard's favorite,
I'm feeling so patient; Through all of the pain,
Then I was praised; Inducted in the Hall of Fame,
Though all I gained,
There still was tears, then hell,
And curses followed me;
Bringing six more years of jail.
.
.
1991-2006
I learned a lot; To model and grow,
During my time alone, and off of parole,
Who would've known,
That I would ever be this,
Man of high praise,
Lifetime Achievements,
And disguised in these gifts,
They should follow as oath,
To never forget me,
The only Godfather of Soul
James Joseph Brown, Jr.
1933-2006
-Nique.
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