Rick James
Rick James (1948–2004) was the singer, songwriter and producer behind “Super Freak,” “Give It to Me Baby” and a catalog of punk-funk that fans keep discovering.
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Latest
Rick’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus his backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
Motown
Motown
Motown
MotownOverview
- Born
- February 1, 1948, Buffalo, New York
- Birth name
- James Ambrose Johnson Jr.
- Died
- August 6, 2004
- Work
- Singer, songwriter and record producer
- First hit
- “You and I” (1978)
- Signature album
- Street Songs (1981)
Mini bio
Buffalo to Toronto.
Born James Ambrose Johnson Jr. in Buffalo, Rick sang with the Mynah Birds in Toronto alongside Neil Young and Bruce Palmer. The group recorded for Motown before his solo career took shape.
Finding punk-funk.
His 1978 debut Come Get It! brought “You and I” and “Mary Jane.” Street Songs followed in 1981, pairing “Give It to Me Baby” and “Super Freak” with the Teena Marie duet “Fire and Desire.” Its mix of funk and rock became his calling card.
Behind the records.
James also wrote and produced for other artists, including the Temptations. MC Hammer built “U Can’t Touch This” around “Super Freak,” bringing James a shared songwriting Grammy in 1991.
The catalog carries on.
James died on August 6, 2004. His official channels now share archival material and celebrate the music, while reissues give fans ways to revisit his recordings.
Creditschronological, newest first
- 1990U Can’t Touch ThisCo-songwriter, MC Hammer
- 1983Cold BloodedRecording artist
- 1982Standing on the TopWriter, arranger, producer and featured singer, the Temptations
- 1981Street SongsSinger, songwriter and producer
- 1978Come Get It!Recording artist
Awards
Quotes
I wanted to make some kind of statement with this album, something people would never forget.Rick James, Memoirs of a Super Freak, quoted by Classic Motown
Looking back on making Street Songs.
Trivia
- Neil Young was a bandmate in the Mynah Birds before either musician became a solo star.
- Stevie Wonder plays harmonica on “Mr. Policeman” from Street Songs.
- Members of the Temptations sing backing vocals on “Super Freak.”
- Grace Slick appears on Throwin’ Down.
Find Rick
Explore his music and follow the official estate channels.
Are you Rick James?
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