Brown formed a gospel quartet with his cellmates while in the detention center. Outside of the center, Brown met the singer Bobby Byrd. Brown was released on work sponsorship with S.C. Lawson, who was a Toccoa business owner. Lawson employed Brown for two years after his release. In 1952, Brown was paroled, and he joined the Ever-Ready Gospel Singers, a gospel group. After former member Troy Collins died in a car crash in 1954, Brown took his place in Byrd’s group. The group’s name changed a lot over time, but it went from Gospel Starlighters to the Famous Flames. In 1955, the group contracted Little Richard. Richard suggested they called Clint Brantley, his manager. Brantley agreed to manage the group. The group composed “Pleased, Please, Please” at the local radio station that Brantley sent them to record a demo session. Later in 1956, the single was re-recorded.

In 1957, the original group went separate ways, and it became “James Brown and The Famous Flames”. In 1958, “Try Me” was released by the group, which was #1 on the R&B charts in 1959. The Famous Flames reunited in 1959 and opened for Little Willie John, Brown’s idol, at the Apollo Theatre.

Brown had 2 of the first successful albums that were live near in concert. Live at the Apollo (1963) stayed on the charts for 66 weeks and Pure Dynamite! Live at the Royal (1964) stayed on charts for 22 weeks. During the 1960s, Browns’ music was associated with Black nationalist movements. This included songs like “Say It Loud—I’m Black and I’m, Proud” (1968) and “Don’t Be a Dropout” (1966). Brown received the title of “Godfather of Soul” in the 1979s. In the 1980s, many of Brown’s songs were sampled for the upcoming hip hop genre. 

Brown is commonly known for his ability to scream on the beat and his stage presence. He inspired generations to come, such as Michael Jackson. Brown played an important role in shaping funk music. Internationally, especially in Africa, Brown was quite successful with lots of support.