Lyn Collins: The Soul Powerhouse of James Brown's Revue

Lyn Collins was an American soul and funk singer best known for her powerful work with James Brown in the 1970s. Hailing from Texas, her most significant achievement was the 1972 funk anthem "Think (About It)," which became a monumental sample source for hip-hop and dance music decades later.

Early career

Born in 1948 in Abilene, Texas, Lyn Collins began singing in church before being discovered by James Brown in the late 1960s. She joined his revue as a backing vocalist, quickly earning the nickname "The Female Preacher" for her commanding, gospel-infused voice and dynamic stage presence.

Breakthrough

Her breakthrough came in 1972 under James Brown's production and his People Records label. The single "Think (About It)" and its parent album of the same name propelled her to fame, with the track's driving rhythm, Collins's assertive vocals, and the iconic "Woo! Yeah!" catchphrase defining the era's funk sound.

Key tracks

Think (About It) - This 1972 funk classic is her signature song, famously sampled in countless hip-hop tracks, most notably forming the backbone of Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock's "It Takes Two."

Rock Me Again & Again - Another standout from her debut album, this track showcases the tight, relentless funk of the J.B.'s and Collins's soaring vocal delivery.

Mama Feelgood - This song further cemented her powerful persona within the James Brown funk stable, featuring her confident vocals over a gritty instrumental.

Give It Up or Turnit a Loose - A cover of the James Brown instrumental, which she adapted with her own fiery lyrics and vocal intensity.

Following her initial success, Collins continued to record with James Brown throughout the 1970s, including the album "Check Me Out If You Don't Know Me By Now" in 1975. Her music, particularly "Think (About It)," found a massive second life in the 1980s and 1990s as a foundational sample in hip-hop and electronic music, introducing her voice to new generations.

Artists with a similar powerful soul and funk style from the same era include Aretha Franklin for her gospel-powered vocal command. Marva Whitney was another key singer in James Brown's revue known for her tough funk sound. Vicki Anderson also provided fierce vocals within the James Brown musical family. The raw energy of James Brown himself is the direct foundation for her recorded work.

Lyn Collins's music remains a staple on classic soul and funk FM stations, as well as specialty shows dedicated to the foundations of hip-hop and dance music. Her recordings are regularly featured in rotations that celebrate the golden age of 1970s funk.

The music of Lyn Collins can be heard on radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover her influential soul and funk catalog through the radio stations available on onairium.com.