James Brown actor Chadwick Boseman tells us why the Godfather of Soul matters
James Brown inspired the likes of Usher, Justin Timberlake and Chris Brown.
The man widely thought of as the father of RnB, funk and hip-hop died on New Year's Day in 2006 aged 73.
The singer, who a lived a colourful life including arrests for drugs and weapon charges, is now the subject of a film biopic called Get On Up.
Chadwick Boseman who plays him in the movie says it a chance for a new generation to get to know more about the musician.
Get On Up is released in UK cinemas on 21 November.
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