Conference on James Brown at Princeton University

Some may question why the need to have a conference discussing the life and work of James Brown...I say why not. Who was more quintessentially American and simultaneously more Black than him? James Brown's career spanned several decades...a feat within itself. Furthermore, aside from just the music, his life touched the world of politics, the criminal justice system and now estate law---given all the variety of children and ex or not ex wives who seem to be popping up. I would have loved to see this type of discussion closer to the people who were influenced by James Brown's music. However I would rather see this discussion occur at Princeton than not.


" Ain't that a Groove": The Genius of James Brown
A Princeton University Two-Day Symposium


November 29

6:00pm-9:00pm

Richardson Auditorium

"On the ONE" : Thursday Night Keynote Roundtable & Concert Film

6pm-7pm: Welcome by Valerie Smith, Princeton University & Film screening

7pm-9pm: Keynote Roundtable featuring:

Robert Christgau , Rolling Stone Magazine, NPR, Princeton University

Fred Moten, University of Southern California

Alan Leeds, tour manager, journalist, archivist

Farah Griffin, Columbia University

Moderator: Daphne A. Brooks, Princeton University

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November 30

9:00am-6:00pm

Richardson Auditorium

9:00am - Opening Remarks -Daphne A. Brooks

9:30am-11:30pm - "It's A Man's Man's Man's World": Black Power, Black Masculinity

and the Politics of Funk

Mark Anthony Neal, Duke University

Jason King, New York University

Thomas F. DeFrantz, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Robert Fink, UCLA

Moderator: Tera Hunter, Princeton University

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1:00-3:00pm - The Funky Precedent: Revolutionizing Rock, Birthing Hip Hop—

Theorizing James Brown's Musical Innovations

Kandia Crazy Horse, Rip It Up: The Black Experience in Rock 'n Roll

Rickey Vincent, Funk: The Music, The People, and the Rhythm of the One

Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, the Roots

Harry Weinger, A&R, Universal Music

Moderator: Joshua B. Guild, Princeton University

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3:30-5:30pm - "Mama Don't Take No Mess": Black Feminist Readings of James Brown

Reginald Jackson, Yale University

Imani Perry, Princeton University

Mendi Ob adike, Princeton University

Ernest Hardy, Blood Beats: Vol. 1 Demos, Remixes & Extended Versions

Moderator: Tavia Nyong'o, New York University



5:30-6:00pm - Closing Remarks by Cornel West, Princeton University



Registration is required. Please visit us on the web at https://www.princeton.edu/africanamericanstudies/news/events to register today!