Last weekend I was listening to "The Battle of the Best" on V103 with Herb Kent. They had one of the best contests in some time. It was James Brown vs. George Clinton. It was kind of like a two faces of funk thing going on. Of course the station only played each artist's most popular tunes. I was not surprised that V103's listeners selected James Brown because IMO his music is more accessible to the mainstream, while George Clinton/PFunk is more of an acquired taste. I discussed it with some less mainstream music lovers and they went for George Clinton. So I gathered that more mainstream listeners went for James and less mainstream listeners went for George.

Most people in this section seem to LOVE music and have vast/varied musical tastes. So who would you pick (if you had to) George or James? Why?

bellanoche said:

James Brown. Without James, George does not exist. George doesn't play any instruments. I love him, but The Godfather gets the nod here!!

bellanoche said:

James always wins that battle

JB has been funkin' since '64 and at that time George was in a Little Anthony & the Imperials knock off group (no offense GC, I luv ya.)

This is a tough one. true without james there is no george and george always sites james and Sly as major influences, but you must admit that George tokk the funk to another level. James is the man indeed but GC gets the nod for taking the funk further. james had Bootsy in his band at a young age and did not like that Bootsy was upstaging him and told him to cut out the crazy solos and just play the way it was rehearsed. Bring in geotge and he recognized what he had with bootsy and encouraged him to fly. james is the godfather, .But remember george is DR Funkenstein. last thing i will say JB last decent new material was probably the mid 80's gravity album. love overdue album after he got out of jail had 1 or 2 decent tracks. GC and pfunk still sound as funky as they did 30years ago. listen to T.A.P.O.A.F.O.M how late do you have to be and dope Dogs from 1995 it's too funky

James all the way but George is right up there too.

"Which one is George Clinton"

james is funk

James Brown
George Clinton is great, but compared to James Brown, he is only good.

GEORGE CANT EVEN DANCE

The obvious!!!

Hell even George Clinton learned alot from James Brown.

Its like saying Duke Ellington or Benny Goodman(his rival btw), Duke is an institution and everybody who came after him, learned a great deal from him.

So was Mr.Dynamite.

I guess it all depends on who you like more. James Brown without doubt was more influential but for me Clinton was/is THE pioneer of funk. I love me some James Brown but it's Clinton who gets more time on my stereo(damn that sounds old fashioned!).
[Edited 5/25/08 8:45am]

obviously James is the original, but personally I'd rather listen to George. James was a great singles artist, but George gave you more of an experience. Not to mention the variety was greater to "his" music. George doesn't get all the credit of course, he surrounded himself with amazing, creative musicians.

Now, as a performer, there's no question, I'd pick James.

mirrorbestfriend said:

OH YES HE CAN!!!




http://www.youtube.com/wa...iCz0CFQJnk


And he's a better dancer than Michael Jackson too!!!

funkpill said:

Look @ George...Do that stuff

Dr Funkenstein
The disco fiend with the monster sound
The cool ghoul with the bump transplant


that ain't choreographed either...all natchal rhythm.
[Edited 5/25/08 11:15am]

I can't say shit about James or George bein' most funky but did you say, Herb Kent?

Holy shit! Herb Kent the Cool Gent? He was the man back in the day (mid to late 60's).

I useta listen to Herb in chicago on WVON AM (W-voice of the negro).

Herb has got to be 80 freakin' years old! I'm so glad he's sitll out there doin' it.

LittleBLUECorvette said:

before JB discovered the "1" he was in the Famous Flames trying to sound like Hank Ballard and Little Willie John. Everyone has to start somewhere. JB invented funk, GC just expanded it.

James all the way!!!

It's my belief that James Brown is the most influential artist in Music History!!!

BTW, how old is Herb Kent??? I'd guess he's about 97, 98 years old!!!

Wow they are both so diffrent, great in opposite ways.

You cant compare the two, one is high in an alternate universe, the other is grounded in the here and now like dirt and sweat.
[Edited 5/25/08 14:49pm]

I never liked James.....really, just didn't care for him!

I really do not like to compare the musical funk giants. Both their musical influences go beyond just funk into other forms of music. So many artist have been influenced by both it's unreal.

James Brown started it all as for as funk is concerned. And George Clinton furthered it. I would say musically James was one dimensional musically where George experimented with all types of sounds . Which sparked Prince and alot of others to take funk even further as for as being innovative.

The two most sampled artist of all times. I think George himself would tell you he would bow to James feet.

James Brown RIP
[Edited 5/25/08 19:28pm]

bellanoche said:

stupid question

bellanoche said:

stupid question

DakutiusMaximus said:

Yes, the one and only "Cool Gent/Mayor of Bronzeville" is still going strong. He is actually the ONLY reason I listen to V103 (or radio period). He is a throwback to REAL radio DJs who actually new something about the music they played. He doesn't waste time with stupid gossip. I learn so much musical history listening to Herb. He also plays what he wants, so during his shows on Saturday and Sunday I get to hear variety and not the same 10 songs over and over.

krayzie said:

Then why respond to it?

To all of you who did respond - those who actually had something to say - thanks! I really enjoyed reading your responses. I liked the thoughtful discussion of the musical contributions of two unique, gifted and influential artists.