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Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown

2014

115 minutes

MusicDocumentary

Overview

James Brown changed the face of American music forever. Abandoned by his parents at an early age, James Brown was a self-made man who became one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, not just through his music, but also as a social activist. Charting his journey from rhythm and blues to funk, MR. DYNAMITE: THE RISE OF JAMES BROWN features rare and previously unseen footage, photographs and interviews, chronicling the musical ascension of “the hardest working man in show business,” from his first hit, “Please, Please, Please,” in 1956, to his iconic performances at the Apollo Theater, the T.A.M.I. Show, the Paris Olympia and more.

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Top Cast

James Brown headshot

James Brown

Self (archive footage)

Bootsy Collins headshot

Bootsy Collins

Self

Chuck D headshot

Chuck D

Self

Mick Jagger headshot

Mick Jagger

Self

Questlove headshot

Questlove

Self

Bobby Byrd headshot

Bobby Byrd

Self

Melvin Parker headshot

Melvin Parker

Self

Maceo Parker headshot

Maceo Parker

Self

Clyde Stubblefield headshot

Clyde Stubblefield

Self

Martha High headshot

Martha High

Self

Alan Leeds headshot

Alan Leeds

Self

Pee Wee Ellis headshot

Pee Wee Ellis

Self

Al Sharpton headshot

Al Sharpton

Self

John 'Jabo' Starks headshot

John 'Jabo' Starks

Self

Danny Ray headshot

Danny Ray

Emcee, Cape Man