Rocky IV" Reignited the Career of the Godfather of Soul

Sylvester Stallone became an unexpected savior for James Brown’s declining career in the mid-80s. By casting the Godfather of Soul in “Rocky IV” (1985) Stallone not only introduced Brown to a new generation but also provided a platform for the song “Living in America” to climb to the fourth position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

This collaboration with filmmakers marked a significant turning point for Brown, whose frustration with the disco era’s appropriation of his sound - without proper recognition - had left him disillusioned. “Living in America” represented a musical comeback for the singer and also earned him his second Grammy Award.