18 JUNE, 2020 (TORONTO) ­­– Urban Legends, a division of UMe, Universal Music Group’s global catalog company, is celebrating 50 years of funk, soul, hip-hop, and R&B with a month-long celebration that includes live DJ sets, new mini-documentaries, new episodes of the docu-series Through the Lens, and new releases of re-mixes of classic songs. The events focus on four genre defining periods in music history over the past half a century, kicking off today, paying homage to “The Godfather of Soul” James Brown. Spotlighting one of the greatest artists of all-time, “The Godfather of Soul” James Brown, Urban Legends explores the music of James Brown, whose unique style laid down the foundation of Hip-Hop, demonstrating why he is one of the most sampled artists of all-time.

James Brown’s official YouTube Channel unveils the trailer for Funky Drummer, episode one of new three-episode animated mini-series titled Get Down, The Influence Of James Brown. Narrated by Questlove (The Roots, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon), and featuring Lord Finesse and Co-founder/former EIC of Wax Poetics Magazine, Andre Torres, the three-part series was created by UMe along with Dreambear and explores the sonic DNA of James Brown whose music is continually sampled and whose trademark phrasing is deeply woven into the fabric of Hip-Hop. The full episode of Funky Drummer premieres on July 10th and can be viewed here with part two (Funky President) and part three (The Payback) coming soon.

James Brown (Originals) playlist available here on July 10

Additional information on Black Music Month events and releases, here:
June 19: Original Def Jam/UMe three-episode mini docu-series Through The Lens focusing on the iconic Hip-Hop photography of Ricky Powell, Janette Beckman and Jonathan Mannion. This original series covers 40 years of the music and culture of the Hip-Hop movement from its infancy.
June 19: a special DJ set by the legendary DJ/Producer Clark Kent paying homage to Def Jam.
June 24: DJ Natasha Diggs performing a live DJ set honoring Janet Jackson.
June 26: Lord Finesse will perform a special Motown State Of Mind Live Stream on the Motown socials
June 26: Motown State Of Mind, a set of Motown classics handpicked, remixed and reimagined by legendary rapper and Hip-Hop producer Lord Finesse.