album · June 28, 1974

Hell

James Brown

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PolydorSee this day

funksoulr&b

The 1974 single "Hell" saw James Brown deliver a raw, stripped-down funk track that was a departure from the more elaborate arrangements of his previous work. It was a direct, forceful statement of his enduring command of the genre.

• "Hell" was released as a single in June 1974, preceding the album of the same name.
• The single reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot R&B Sides chart.
• The album "Hell" was released on Polydor Records, a label Brown had been with since 1969.

James Brown was a foundational figure in soul and funk music, known for his electrifying stage presence and distinctive vocalizations. By 1974, he had already pioneered a new sound with "The Payback" the previous year and was continuing to push the boundaries of raw funk.