I really can't beileve their is no thread for him yet.
James Brown was a popular African-American early R&B singer. He has some really big hits such as I Got You (I Feel Good). According to Allmusic he was highly responsible for turning R&B into soul and soul into funk.
Here are some good songs. Their pretty hard to find on youtube, I usually use grooveshark but here are some of his songs.
Try Me
I Got You (I Feel Good)
Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine
Papa's Got a Brand New Bag, Pt. 1