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James Ambrose Johnson Jr.—Rick James—would’ve turned 78 today, born February 1, 1948 in Buffalo, NY. Funk apostle who flipped Motown page to “Super Freak” platinum, “Give It to Me Baby,” Street Songs diamond—punk-funk blueprint that built Teena Marie, supplied Rick Rubin beats.
This Rick James heavenly milestone celebrates Buffalo’s street prodigy who rewrote R&B. Draft dodger to Chess Records, military AWOL to Toronto band, Motown exile to cocaine empire collapse—then Netflix biopic redemption. Black elders remember roller-rink basslines. Youth sampling “Mary Jane”: Rick fused grit and groove forever. Rest in funk, Sensei.
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