The 2009 documentary “Copyright Criminals” features Chattanooga native Clyde Stubblefield, best known as James Brown’s “Funky Drummer.”If you goFriday, Nov. 7• What: Screening of “Copyright Criminals” and talk-back with Clyde Stubblefield• When: 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7• Where: Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. M.L. King Blvd.• Admission: Free, but RSVPs requested• Website: bscccopyrightcriminals.splashthat.comSaturday, Nov. 8• What: Clyde Stubblefield Day• When: Noon-4 p.m.• Where: Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. M.L. King Blvd.• Admission: $1.75• Phone: 423-267-1076• Website: www.bessiesmithcc.org
It’ll be a Clyde Stubblefield weekend at Bessie Smith Cultural Center as the Chattanooga native who gained fame as James Brown’s “Funky Drummer” is featured at a film screening and then honored at a day devoted to his talents.
> Friday, Nov. 7: First up is the screening of “Copyright Criminals.” This 2009 documentary, directed and produced by Benjamin Franzen, examines the creative and commercial value of music sampling and the related debates over artistic expression, copyright law and profits.
Stubblefield’s recordings with Brown are considered to be some of the standard-bearers for funk drumming: “Cold Sweat,” “There Was a Time,” “I Got the Feelin’,” “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud,” “Ain’t It Funky Now,” “Mother Popcorn” and the album “Sex Machine.”
His rhythm pattern on Brown’s “Funky Drummer” is among the world’s most sampled musical segments. It has been used for decades by hip-hop groups and rappers such as Public Enemy, Run-D.M.C., N.W.A., Raekwon, LL Cool J, The Beastie Boys and Boogie Down Productions as well as in other genres. In the mid-’90s, producer/songwriter Richard Mazda wrote and produced Stubblefield’s first solo record, “Revenge of the Funky Drummer.”