The Brown Estate regrets

It is, of course, what James Brown would have wanted. Or, at least, there's no simple, non-spooky way of proving it isn't, as James Brown's family throw his name behind Al Sharpton's campaign to get radio stations to refuse to play rap with sexism and racism in the lyrics.

Brown's family echoed Mr Sharpton's message later at a private gathering at the Apollo Theater, where thousands had gathered to pay their respects to the singer shortly after he died.

"How did we get from 'Say it loud, I'm black and I'm proud,' to where we are today?" said his daughter Deanna Brown Thomas, referring to her father's famous lyrics.

Perhaps via lyrics like, erm, your father's Hot Pants, Deanna?

Hot pants! hey! hot pants smokin?!
Hot pants make ya sure of yourself -good Lord
You walk like you got the only lovin' left hey
So brother - if you're thinkin' of loosin' that feelin'
Then don't - ha
Cause a woman got to use what she got
To get just what she wants hey!

Or maybe that isn't the sort of sexist lyric Sharpton has in mind?