The reimagined classic keeps funk alive while adding modern EDM intensity.
“I Got Soul (Super Bad)” marks the newest collaboration between the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, and an electronic dance artist, a high-energy reimagining of Brown’s 1970 funk classic by internationally acclaimed DJ/producer Laidback Luke. Out August 28 on Dim Mak Records, the single transforms one of music’s most iconic grooves into a bass-charged festival anthem while honoring the fearless spirit that made “Super Bad” a landmark in funk history.
This historic collaboration began with James Brown’s grandson, Jason Brown, a third-generation torchbearer of the family legacy. Before becoming a DJ himself, Jason was a fan, buying tickets to see Laidback Luke at LA clubs like Exchange and Academy. Years later, he found himself opening for Luke at those very same venues, creating what he calls “a full-circle moment” that sparked the idea for this collaboration. “Luke is another legend in the space,” Jason says. “It’s the perfect match for somebody who is currently a legend to take the spirit and music from one generation to the next.”
For Laidback Luke, the invitation carried immense weight. “James Brown is the most sampled artist in music history, and his pioneering work in funk and soul has always influenced me, ultimately shaping dance music,” Luke explains. “When Jason Brown asked me to be the first-ever electronic dance artist to collaborate and reimagine ‘Super Bad’ for a new generation, I felt a deep responsibility to get it right and show respect for his fearless attitude and creativity. Working with the original session vocals and stems was surreal — like touching the source that influenced so much of today’s music.” 
Released in 1970, the original “Super Bad” was a raw, unapologetic anthem that pushed funk to new heights. More than fifty years later, “I Got Soul (Super Bad)” carries that same energy into the future. “If my grandfather could see this,” Jason says, “I believe he’d be proud that I took him to the future. Electronic music is the future — and now his voice, his groove, and his energy are living there too.”
