Rick James

Rick James (born James Ambrose Johnson, Jr.; February 1, 1948 – August 6, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer, best known for being the major popularizer of funk music in the late 1970s and early 1980s thanks to million-selling hits such as "You and I" (1978), "Give It to Me Baby" (1981) and "Super Freak" (1981), the latter song crossing him over to pop audiences and selling over three million copies.

Rick James
Rick James posing for the album cover for Street Songs (1981)
Background information
Orúkọ àbísọ	James Ambrose Johnson, Jr.
Wọ́n tún mọ̀ọ́ bíi	Big Jimmy; Ricky James Matthews (early career); Jimmy "The Whale"
Ọjọ́ìbí	(1948-02-01)Oṣù Kejì 1, 1948 Buffalo, New York, I.A.A.
Aláìsí	August 6, 2004(2004-08-06) (ọmọ ọdún 56) Burbank, California, I.A.A.
Irú orin	R&B, soul, funk, pop, soft rock
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, football player, bandleader, record producer
Instruments	Vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards, drums and other percussion instruments
Years active	1964–2004
Labels	Harvest Prep Gordy Records Reprise Records Mercury Records
Associated acts	The Mynah Birds Stone City Band Heaven and Earth Mary Jane Girls Process and the Doo Rags Val Young Eddie Murphy Teena Marie
Website	www.rickjames.com