James Brown's Daughters Discuss Growing Up with the 'Godfather of Soul' in New Docuseries (Exclusive)

'James Brown: Say It Loud,' a two-part docuseries from A&E, will air on Monday, Feb. 19 and Tuesday, Feb. 20

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Nicholas Rice
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Nicholas Rice
Nicholas Rice is a Senior Editor for PEOPLE Magazine. He began working with the brand as an Editorial Intern in early 2020, before later transitioning to a freelance role, and then staff positions soon after. Nicholas writes and edits anywhere between 7 to 9 stories per day on average for PEOPLE, spanning across each vertical the brand covers.
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Updated on February 19, 2024 03:45PM EST

James Brown's daughters are looking back at life with the iconic musician as their father.

In a clip from the forthcoming docuseries James Brown: Say It Loud, which PEOPLE can exclusively share, two of James' daughters, Deanna Brown and Dr. Yamma Brown, speak candidly about growing up with "the Godfather of Soul," who died at the age of 73 in Atlanta in 2006.

At the opening of the video, Deanna, 55, notes that although she earned a college degree, her "best life lessons" came from being "on the road with my father."

"I could hear him, how he talked to different people, how he wanted his business taken care of. I learned a lot while I was putting those rollers in his hair," she explains.

Then speaking about her mother, Deidre Jenkins, Deanna details that she was a "homemaker" and "wasn't in the business," noting: "She was happy raising her two daughters and being Mrs. James Brown. Period."

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Yamma Brown, wearing a sheer leopard print coat, with Adrienne Rodriguez (1950-1996), American singer and musician James Brown (1933-2006), and Deanna Brown Thomas, wearing a pink coat, in the press room of the 34th Grammy Awards, held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, New York, 25th February 1992. Yamma and Deanna are James Brown's daughters, and Rodriguez is his wife
James Brown poses with Yamma Brown, Deanna Brown and Adrienne Rodriguez at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City in February 1992.

Vinnie Zuffante/Getty
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Yamma, 52, then appears next in the clip, where she discusses how she was brought into the world and how her name came to be.

"I was born in Augusta, Georgia, but Dad was in Japan when I was born," she says. "He enjoyed the name Mount Fujiyama, he changed the spelling a little bit, put two M's instead of one, and Yamma the name came from Dad."

Highlighting how her famous father was "so serious most of the time," Yamma then recalled how he would be critical of her looks growing up.

"He would always get on me about my hair when I was a kid," she says with a laugh. "Like, 'What you doing with your hair? You look a mess right now.' It's just like, really? You gonna call me out in front of everybody?"

American soul singer and songwriter James Brown (1933-2006) performs live on stage at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States on April 23, 1988
James Brown in New Orleans, Louisiana in April 1988.

David Redfern/Redferns
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According to an official synopsis, James Brown: Say It Loud "traces the incredible trajectory of Brown’s life and career from a 7th-grade drop-out arrested and jailed at the age of 16 for breaking into a car in the Jim Crow-era South, to an entertainment legend whose groundbreaking talent and unique perspective catapulted him to become a cultural force."

"His words, songs, style and moves inspired musical revolutions and molded a nation’s view of Black Pride and Black masculinity," the synopsis continues. "Consistently facing obstacles and unbelievable odds, the documentary details how Brown persevered through decades of personal demons, racial injustice and career setbacks to find redemption and become one of, if not the most celebrated and influential artists of the 20th century."

The upcoming two-part docuseries from A&E will air on Monday, Feb. 19 and Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. EST.