Entertainment

Actor Nelsan Ellis as Bobby Byrd in the anticipated new film, GET ON UP

Published

12 years ago

July 28, 2014

The one and only James Brown– proclaimed “Godfather of Soul” who forever changed the landscape of rhythm, blues, funk and dance around the world–was a composite of influences, mostly negative, as the story’s told in GET ON UP, the new film chronicling his life, directed by Tate Taylor (“The Help”). Chadwick Boseman stars as Mr. Brown.

Brokenfamily ties, numerous women, estranged offspring, a revolving door of musicians and backup singers, the one constant in his life was Bobby Byrd, the musician who endured the hardship, the pain and the fame in lock step with James Brown.

In GET ON UP, Bobby Byrd is portrayed by Alabama-born actor Nelsan Ellis, a star of the HBO series True Blood.

History reveals that Brown and Byrd met as teenagers in Toccoa, Georgia, where Brown was incarcerated. Byrd persuaded his mother to let the young prisoner live with them when he was paroled, which launched a 20-year musical collaboration.

Sandra Varner/Talk2SV: Every superstar star needs a wingman; Bobby Byrd was James Brown’s wingman. Who did you see this character as?

Nelsan Ellis: His rock, his anchor, his consistency…a lot of people came and went in the life of James Brown except Bobby. He was the brotherly love that James could depend on, all the time. It’s funny because part of me thought that Bobby gave James the father and the mother he needed. Bobby was that consistent thing in his life and he took care of so much stuff in James’ life.

Talk2SV: In several scenes, a two-way mirror best describes the relationship between Bobby Byrd and James Brown—Bobby could see himself within James and vice versa–the connective tissue was palpable.

Nelsan Ellis: We didn’t make a decision about how we’d approach the roles, the kinship; we just fell into each other’s rhythm and I must say it’s one of the most beautiful dances that I’ve ever had with another actor. I loved every second of working with Chadwick Boseman. We just sort of found the dance; he did his work, I did my work and it was marvelous.

Read more at www.Talk2SV.com

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The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – February 18 – 24, 2026

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February 20, 2026

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Arts and Culture

Book Review: Books on Black History and Black Life for Kids

For the youngest reader, “As You Are: A Hope for Black Sons” by Kimberly A. Gordon Biddle, illustrated by David Wilkerson (Magination Press, $18.99) is a book for young Black boys and for their mothers. It’s a hope inside a prayer that the world treats a child gently, and it could make a great baby shower gift.

Published

3 weeks ago

February 10, 2026

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Photo of Black History Month book covers by Terri Schlichenmeyer.

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

Authors: Various, Copyright: c. 2025, 2026, Publishers: Various, SRPs: $17.99-$18.99, Page Counts: Various,

Everybody in your family has stories to share.

Your parents have told you some, no doubt. Your grandparents have offered a few, too, and aunties and uncles have spun some good tales. But there’s so much more to know, so grab one of these great books and learn about Black History and Black life.

For the youngest reader, “As You Are: A Hope for Black Sons” by Kimberly A. Gordon Biddle, illustrated by David Wilkerson (Magination Press, $18.99) is a book for young Black boys and for their mothers. It’s a hope inside a prayer that the world treats a child gently, and it could make a great baby shower gift.

If someone said you couldn’t do something that you were clearly able to do, would you fight to do it anyhow? In the new book, “Remember Her Name! Debbie Allen’s Rise to Fame” by Tami Charles, illustrated by Meredith Lucius (Charlesbridge, $17.99), a young girl in the Jim Crow South is told that she can’t dance because of the color of her skin.

She didn’t listen, though, and neither did her mother, who took her daughter to Mexico, where the girl soared! This is an inspiration for any 5-to-7-year-old; be sure to check out the back-of-the-book information, if you’re an adult fan.

Do you often hear your elders say things that sound like lessons? They might be, so “Where There is Love: A Story of African Proverbs” by Shauntay Grant, illustrated by Leticia Moreno (Penguin Workshop, $18.99) is a book you’ll like. It’s a quick-to-read collection of short proverbs that you can say every day. Kids ages 4-to-6 will easily remember what they find in this book; again, look in the back for more information.

Surely, you love your neighborhood, which is why the tale inside “Main Street: A Community Story about Redlining” by Britt Hawthorne and Tiffany Jewell, illustrated by David Wilkerson (Penguin Kokila, $18.99) is a book for you.

Olivia’s neighborhood is having a block party, but she’s sad when no one shows up. That’s when she learns that “the government” is discriminating against the people and businesses near where she lives. So, what can she and her neighbors do? The answer might inspire 6-to-8-year-old kids to stand up to wrongs they see, and to help make their neighborhoods stronger and safer.

And finally, if a kid wants a book, where can they go to find it? In “I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy” by Mychal Threets, illustrated by Lorraine Nam (Random House, $18.99) is a good introduction to the best of what a library has to offer. The freedom to walk into a library and borrow a book is the theme here, as is the sheer happiness of being welcomed, no matter who you are. This is an easy book for kids as young as two and as old as five to enjoy.

On that note, if you want more, head to that library, or a nearby bookstore. They’ll be glad to see you. They’ve got stories to share.