James Brown

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Rankings

Covers

Records

James Brown's achievements are remarkable by any measure. He was one of the first ten inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, a testament to his foundational role in rock and soul. Rolling Stone ranked him seventh on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. He holds the record for the most singles on the Billboard Hot 100 that never reached No. 1, with 99 entries, and the most singles charted on the Hot 100 overall, with 114. In Joel Whitburn's analysis of Billboard R&B charts from 1942 to 2010, Brown is ranked No. 1 among the Top 500 Artists. His live album Live at the Apollo is considered one of the greatest live albums ever, and his song "Funky Drummer" is one of the most sampled drum breaks in hip-hop history.

AwardsBrown won a Grammy for Best Rhythm & Blues Recording in 1965 for "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag." He also won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1986 for "Living in America" (with Dan Hartman). He received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992. Brown was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 as one of its first ten inductees. He was also inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame as an artist in 2013 and as a songwriter in 2017, and into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003. He received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2003.

Honours & Distinctions

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame·1986

Inducted as a performer, one of the first ten inductees.

Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame Induction

Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame·2013

Inducted as an artist.

Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame Induction

Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame·2017

Inducted as a songwriter.

Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction

Songwriters Hall of Fame·2003

Inducted for his songwriting contributions.

Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

Hollywood Walk of Fame·1997

Star at 7060 Hollywood Boulevard.

Kennedy Center Honors

Kennedy Center·2003

Honored for lifetime contributions to American culture.

Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame

Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame·2022

Honored posthumously.

Rankings & Lists

100 Greatest Artists of All Time

Rolling Stone·2004

#11

100 Greatest Singers of All Time

Rolling Stone·2008

#24

500 Greatest Albums of All Time (Live at the Apollo)

Rolling Stone·2012

Top 500 R&B Artists

Billboard·2010

#16

100 Greatest Artists of All Time

NME·2011

#10

100 Greatest Artists of All Time

VH1·2010

#Included

100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century

TIME·1999

Magazine Covers

Rolling Stone

1968-04-04

James Brown: The Hardest Working Man in Show Business

TIME

1968-03-01

James Brown: Soul Brother No. 1

Ebony

1968-11

James Brown: The Godfather of Soul

Ebony

1970-03

James Brown: Still the Hardest Working Man

Records & Feats

Most singles on the Billboard Hot 100 that never reached No. 1

Chart Record·2006

Brown holds the record with 99 entries that peaked below No. 1.

Most singles charted on the Billboard Hot 100

Chart Record·2006

Brown charted 114 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, more than any other artist at the time.

First inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Career Milestone·1986

Brown was one of the first ten inductees in 1986, recognized as a foundational figure.