Song Clearance Sheet
3 sources citedFunky President (People It's Bad)
See all James Brown in the catalogue →
Funk1970s106BPM
B minKey
More around 110 BPM → · More in B minor →
Tempo/key via GetSongBPM →, Deezer →
The verdict
Documented Sampling History
Confirmed songwriter of record (James Brown), no dispute found, and 1,000+ documented samples — a direct thematic echo of “Impeach the President” and sampled into “Fight the Power,” both already in this catalog.
Sampled 1,000+ times
Quick Facts
Released1974
AlbumReality
GenreFunk
LabelPolydor Records
ProducerJames Brown
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriter of record — James Brown
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — originally Polydor; needs a Songview/Discogs lookup
Unknown · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
Yes — 1,000+ documented samples, including Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” (already in this catalog), “Summertime,” “Eric B. Is President,” and N.W.A.
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; confirmed songwriter of record and no dispute found.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
A direct thematic echo — Nixon (Impeach) → Ford (Funky President) (already in this catalog)
Samples this song (already in this catalog)
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)James Brown
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
A real evolution in Brown’s own public positioning
Brown had been famously photographed with Nixon at the White House in 1972, reportedly shocking many fans — making this later song’s populist, anti-corruption “man of the people” stance a real evolution in his public positioning. No lyrics reproduced.
Songfacts · read it →
A direct connection to Fight the Power
Sampled in 1,000+ songs per WhoSampled — including DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s “Summertime,” Eric B. & Rakim’s “Eric B. Is President,” N.W.A.’s “Fuck Tha Police,” Kanye West’s “Clique,” and Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” (already in this catalog).
WhoSampled · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
1,000+
Times sampled
Sampled into “Fight the Power”
Covers
—
First flip
Big names who used itPublic Enemy · Eric B. & Rakim · N.W.A
Who to Contact
FP
James Brown (estate) / Polydor
The confirmed songwriter of record
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 9)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass