Even in the immediate aftermath of James Brown's death in 2006, there were signs that there would be problems settling his accounts between his children and his estate. Now it's four-plus years later, and the fight has gotten messy. Thankfully, Brown's good friend, the Reverend Al Sharpton, has firmly inserted himself into the proceedings, making everything less much more complicated. more ›

After being contested by two of Brown's former business managers, Christie's hosted the James Brown Collection auction today, something his children were also unhappy about and planned on protesting. more ›

ART: The Bronx Museum of Art is getting on board the First Friday bandwagon. They'll be opening their doors every first Friday of the month for free, and add a little something extra each time. Tonight their theme is “Say it Loud! I’m Black & I’m Proud” in celebration of Black History Month. There will be a tribute to the late James Brown, and a showcase of independent artists paying tribute to black music. more ›

It's been quite a 24 hours for Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama. Last nght, he was at the Apollo for his first Harlem event. And this morning, he had breakfast with Mayor Bloomberg at a Midtown diner. At last night's $50-per-ticket fund-raiser, both Cornel West and Chris Rock introduced Obama. West asked the audience to think about entertainers like James Brown and Billie Holliday, who "represent a way of life that goes all the... more ›

There's a band looking for a frontman in Brooklyn...and they're bypassing Craigslist postings, MySpace bulletins and good 'ol fashion flyers to get the open position filled. They say "we like internet" and are therefore selling their frontman position on eBay in this Buy a Rock Band auction. more ›

American Idol has been on the decline ever since Kelly Clarkson stepped off the stage. It's understandable, the first time is always more exciting -- and c'mon, one can only take so much of Paula's craziness, Simon's snarkiness and Randy Jackson's what's up dawg's. more ›

Planetarium, AMNH, by chschulz at flickr more ›

The firing of Don Imus has caused many to take a look at language in not only media, but music. As previously mentioned, Al Sharpton is one looking to clean up what we hear, and yesterday he led a march against racist and sexist lyrics, targeting the major labels. Around 400 others joined him in a march around midtown, outside companies like Universal Music Group. The topic reportedly carried over to a private gathering at the Apollo later on, for what would have been James Brown's 74th birthday. more ›

ART: It's Dumbo First Thursday. The Gallery Walk will not only bring you to galleries, but also to artists' studios. "Gallery receptions, neighborhood dining and bars, and live music add to the evening’s festivities." Check out Space Invader's art while you're in the neighborhood. more ›

The Reverend Al Sharpton, who has been representing the family of police shooting victim Sean Bell, weighed in about the taxi driver who Bell shooting cop Michael Oliver allegedly assaulted 12 years ago. Sharpton held a press conference, where he said that revelations about Oliver show that's he's "inappropriate at best, and biased and racist at worst." more ›

Billy Bob Thorton sets aside his raunchy also comes to big screens this weekend. more ›

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, visited New York City yesterday. While the showiest part of their night may have been the presentation of a Global Environmental Citizen Award to the Prince from the Harvard Medical School's Center for Health and the Global Environment, we bet the most fun was had during the couple's visit the the Harlem Children's Zone. The Harlem Children's Zone, which includes the Promise Academy and other services and programs for the community, welcomed the royals with demonstration of an after-school investment program for kids, rehearsal of a scene from "A Midsummer's Night Dream" and a basketball scrimmage. more ›

Over two weeks after his death, James Brown's body has still not been buried. His attorneys and children are settling issues surrounding his estate, including where he will be laid to rest. more ›

Swoon returns to Rivington, after her last piece there got wrecked. More at Streetsy. more ›

A look at some noteworthy programs this week: more ›

Yesterday was James Brown's last time on stage at the Apollo. His 24-karat gold-plated coffin was carried inside after traveling in a horse drawn carriage. Brown's coffin traveled through Wednesday night to get to Harlem by Thursday morning. His old chauffeur made the drive with Al Sharpton, who had a close relationship to Brown. Sharpton, Brown's daughters and his current wife (who may not be legally married to Brown), Tomi Rae Hynie, were all in attendance. ET reports that "Oscar-winning actress Rachel Weisz brought her baby to the viewing". more ›

Earlier today, a horse drawn carriage carrying the casket of James Brown traveled through Harlem to the Apollo Theater, where fans had been lining up since last night to pay their respects to the Godfather of Soul. People had followed in the street, singing "Say it Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud." more ›

2007 is just around the corner, and we've got a little tip sheet on where to be when the clock strikes midnight. more ›

Looks like Spike Lee called dibs on directing the James Brown biopic. The biography was authorized by Brown before his passing and Lee will rewrite the draft (that's already gone through several rewrites) by Jezz and John Henry Butterworth. The film may be in production as early as fall/winter 2007. more ›

Tomorrow afternoon and evening the public will get the chance to say their goodbyes to James Brown in person, starting at 1 p.m. His close friend Reverend Al Sharpton will deliver a sermon at 7:30 p.m. more ›

James Brown's death yesterday, to many, was more than a loss of "the hardest working man in show business". Reverend Al Sharpton, who toured with him in the 70s and will lead his funeral services, says Brown was the father he never had. On top of that Brown also helped Sharpton become a civil rights leader, after Brown's son (a friend of Sharpton's) died in a car accident. more ›

James Brown, the legendary performer who influenced scores of musicians today, died today at age 73. The cause was congestive heart failure. Read what Jon Pareles of the NY Times wrote in an obituary that we believe will be updated throughout the day:

Mr. Brown's music was sweaty and complex, disciplined and wild, lusty and socially conscious. Beyond his dozens of hits, Mr. Brown forged an entire musical idiom that is now a foundation of pop worldwide. more ›

After Wired ran a story documenting the GoogleCenter of the United States a bunch of ists jumped on the opportunity to figure out their own middle. Gothamist, Chicagoist, Bostonist and Seattlest all zoomed in on their creamy GoogleCenters. A crack cartography team is hard at work determining the GoogleCenter of the Ist-a-verse as you read this... more ›

Earlier this week kissy couples were wading through roses and red tissue paper deeper than an east coast snow dump and singles shook a tiny, lonely fist (no ring!) at it all. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 - Valentine's season is in the can, finally. more ›

What? No New Year's plans? Leaving it a bit late, no? Forget the overcrowded bars, the swarms of amateurs, the lame-o house parties. There are a ridiculous number of shows happening around town, some of which are worth your time and some of which not so much. Many of them are sold out, but it's highly possible you could score with the scalpers. Let's have a little look-see, shall we? more ›

Built to Spill was one of the biggest indie rock bands of the 90's, and one of the biggest indie rock bands ever. Many thought they were gone forever, but they're not. Before their new album comes out this September, they'll entertain us at four recommended NYC shows: Irving, Irving, Irving, Southpaw. Also still making music: Weezer (you were eleven years younger when you first heard "Buddy Holly"). They have a new album out on Tuesday, and they're playing Roseland on Wednesday and Thursday. more ›

We first caught the guitar heavy indie-punk band These Bones during CMJ, but we had heard their cover of Britney's long before then. With a sound that borders on garage anthem rock and choppy punk the bands style and energy certainly doesn't do anything to hurt their live show. You know how people don't dance at shows in this city? They do at These Bones. more ›

In the many concepts that Spike TV is trying to introduce, in order to shore up their audience, Gothamist would definitely take a cotton to the proposed reality show hosted by Al Sharpton, "I Hate My Job." While the actual details of the show are okay ("eight men � including a pre-school teacher, a manure shoveler for a compost company, a lawyer and a handyman � will get a helping hand from Sharpton and the chance to become a club promoter, male model, comedian and a hockey coach, respectively"), the prospect of Al Sharpton browbeating you into trying your best and succeeding is pretty intoxicating to us. Imagine it: Meetings in the Harlem beauty parlor as Al gets his hair set, or one of your tasks is driving Al to the scene of some urban, most likely racial, controversy. Calling himself the working man's Donald Trump, Sharpton says, "Most people end up going through life doing things [for a living] that they really don't want to do. Ultimately, people ought to try to pursue who they want to be rather than just be whatever will pay the bills, and that's the theme of the show." Sigh, Gothamist knew there was a reason you seemed the smartest Democratic candidate in all the debates. more ›