“It’s all about the groove.”

Today I saw Get On Up, the movie that recently came out detailing the life of James Brown. It was incredibly interesting to see the story behind this musician who made a huge impact in the music world.

He wasn’t afraid to “break the rules” of music theory. According to Brown, if it felt good, it was good. And there’s something to be said for that kind of thinking. Knowing the rules of music is important, but when it comes down to it, all that matters is whether or not the music moves people.

I am aware that there were historical inaccuracies in the film made for the sake of entertainment. But one thing that the film got unmistakably right was the performances. The portrayal made me feel like I was physically at one of the electric shows that Brown is so famous for. This was particularly beneficial to me, because as a performer myself, I have a lot to learn from the “Godfather of Soul.”

-Mindy