The legendary James Brown was released from a South Carolina jail Thursday, Jan. 29 after his arrest on criminal domestic violence charges.
Credited with over 800 songs, Brown’s music, especially his showmanship, has become a milestone for music in its current form.
According to Aiken County authorities, a 70-year-old Brown allegedly pushed his 33-year-old wife, Tomi Rae Brown, after an argument at their home in Beech Island, S.C.
Lt. Michael Frank, Aiken County sheriff’s office spokesperson, said Brown’s wife had scratches and bruises on her arm and hip and was taken to the hospital.
Brown was released on a personal recognizance bond. His celebrity status ensured he wouldn’t need to put up money or collateral for his release.
Chinwe Onyenekwu, biochemistry junior, seems to have lost respect for soul singer James Brown after his latest run-in with the law.
“It’s sad for a legend at this late point in his career that this would happen,” Onyenekwu said.
Brown, also known as the “The Godfather of Soul,” is credited with multiple, internationally known hits, including “I Got You (I Feel Good),” “Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud,” and “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag.”
In December, Brown was recently awarded a Kennedy Center honor as “one of the most influential musicians of the past 50 years.” He was also inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
Deanna Mattos, a mass communication sophomore, understands how Brown strongly impacted music.
“What he did for music was crazy,” Mattos said. “He showed people it’s cool to be different. He reinvented funk and soul.”
While disheartened by his recent actions, Onyenekwu still agrees that Brown was a revolutionary.
“You can hear a lot of James Brown’s influence in music today,” Onyenekwu said. “He made music uplifting and inspiring, things music is lacking now.”
This recent arrest is another notch on Brown’s rap-sheet. Brown served a 2 and a half year prison term in 1988 on drug and assault charges and was convicted in 1998 on related drug charges.