The one the life and music of james brown by rj smith is a biog ra phyof the god fa ther of soul the title the one refers mainly to the artists empha sis on play ing the right beat an inte grated biog ra phy of james brown with fas ci nat ing insights into the artists life show man ship busi ness ven tures and activism. The definitive biography of james brown the godfather of soul with fascinating findings on his life as a civil rights activist an entrepreneur and the most innovative musician of our time. The definitive biography of james brown the godfather of soul with fascinating findings on his life as a civil rights activist an entrepreneur and the most innovative musician of our time playing 350 shows a year at his peak with more than forty billboard hits james brown was a dazzling showman who transformed american music. The definitive biography of james brown the godfather of soul with fascinating findings on his life as a civil rights activist an entrepreneur and the most innovative musician of our time playing 350 shows a year at his peak with more than forty billboard hits james brown was a dazzling showman who transformed american music