It is generally acknowledged that James Brown, The Hardest Working Man in Show Business, The Amazing Mr. Please Please Please, was a seminal force in popular music, including the genre of hip hop.

Today my selection is from what I consider to be one of Mr. Dynamite’s earlier rap recordings, “The Payback”. At first you may not see the sublime quality of the particular verse I have chosen. Yet, view it in the following light:

Imagine The Godfather of Soul in a glistening three-piece leisure suit, gleaming patent leather belt and shoes to match, the spectacular sheen of hair care products. He snatches off his gradient tinted sunglasses, indignant as he realizes that he, in all of his sensational glory, has been discounted. He cries:

“Sold me out for chicken change!”

In appreciation of Soul Brother Number One.

“I can dig rapping. I’m ready, I can dig scrapping.”