"I had the opportunity to meet him and present an award to him this year with Al Shaprton , Jesse Jackson and others. I spoke in front of hundreds in his honor. I looked directly at him. He smiled while I told him how I used his music with mine and how much he's done for us and how I love him. I'm lucky to have had that moment, shook his hand. He was pure greatness." - Nas

"James Brown was the first solo singer that I loved as a kid. He was not only the Godfather of Soul, but the Godfather of Funk and Rap. Music will never be the same..." - Ice Cube