James Brown, Friend of Strom Thurmond and Mentor to Al Sharpton

Godfather of Soul

The soul-funk innovator had some complex and (quite frankly) bizarre political views.

Senior Political Reporter

Published Jul. 31 2014 5:45AM EDT

articles/2014/07/31/the-incredibly-weird-confounding-politics-of-james-brown/140730-swin-james-brown-tease_vfp31b — Getty

Get On Up, director Tate Taylor’s new James Brown biopic, has scored some good press lately, particularly for Chadwick Boseman’s electrifying turn as the Godfather of Soul.

Asawin Suebsaeng

Senior Political Reporter

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James Brown, Friend of Strom Thurmond and Mentor to Al Sharpton

The soul-funk innovator had some complex and (quite frankly) bizarre political views.

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Asawin Suebsaeng