Rev. Al Went Straight for Godfather of Soul

Ever wonder where Reverend Al Sharpton got that silvery sleek, decidedly un-nappy coiffure? The good Rev. tells TMZ that it was an edict from none other than music legend James Brown, and that he's keeping the coiffure to honor the late Godfather of Soul's memory.

According to a source close to Sharpton, a couple decades ago, the Godfather of Soul asked Sharpton to "straighten your hair like mine so when people see you they think you're my son." Papa's giving you a brand-new 'do!

Thus, when rapper David Banner called him a "permed-out pimp" in a recent tirade, it struck a particularly sore chord with Rev. Al, who was so close to Brown that he stood by James' coffin throughout his public visitation at the Apollo Theater last December.

What's more, don't look for the Rev. to give up the look anytime soon. In fact, he says he'll never give it up. "That's my bond with James Brown," he tells us.

Filed under: Wacky & Weird

Reader Comments

(Page 3 of 5)Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

31. Al Sharpton told Anna Deveare Smith (during an interview for her "Fires in the Mirror" project) that the reason he wore his hair that way was because of James Brown. He called it "Me and James' thing." She performed her project (and retold the story) in 1993. Over 14 years ago.

Posted at 3:53PM on Aug 17th 2007 by Amanda

32. why does anyone give this racist idiot, the time of day ? go figure !

Posted at 4:28PM on Aug 17th 2007 by dont lose sleep

33. diddy p - After having attempted 4 posts, which were shot down by TMZ, that is the one that finally got through. Apparently, I used a word they did not like. All the other posts were phrased differently. I'm sure Al the blackmailer has a lot of creditability (noun).

No help needed, really.

Posted at 4:31PM on Aug 17th 2007 by webster

34. I have Al Sharpton on my deadpool list. Help me out Al and drop down to room temperature, I got money on this thing.

Posted at 4:44PM on Aug 17th 2007 by deathwatch

35. I must have been asleep every other time that Sharpton's hairstyle was explained. Now I understand why he keeps it. But I still despise him...and his hairdo.

P.S. Love a good grammar fight. Keep it up, folks! (proofreading now...)

Posted at 5:15PM on Aug 17th 2007 by InMyHumbleOpinion

36. I LOVE REV. AL'S 'DO...BACK IN THE DAY IT WAS CALLED "FRIED, DYED & LAID TO THE SIDE" !!

Posted at 5:35PM on Aug 17th 2007 by Ozepy

37. wow tmz could be a lil politacally incorrect sometimes "unnappy" j/k non wrong with a lil contreversy that won't hurt nobody. what is he beefing with david banner for. we all love david banner more.

Posted at 5:50PM on Aug 17th 2007 by www.yeoq.com

38. Just curious why TMZ would waste good news space on this idiot.... It grosses me out just to see this incredibly ugly man.... YUCK!

Posted at 7:15PM on Aug 17th 2007 by Wasted TMZ chatter

39. HEY AL WERE IS JAMES BROWNS COFFIN? ARE YOU AND MICHAEL STILL KEEPING HIM ON ICE,
IF YOU AND MICHAEL JACKSON ARE DOING THAT, IT IS A SICK THING TO DO, I KNOW M J GOT THE ELEPHANT MANS BODY,, THIS IS SICK,,,

Posted at 8:03PM on Aug 17th 2007 by SUPER FLY

40. One minute my post is up the next minute it's gone. There was nothing crude, rude or insulting about what I said about Sharpton's hair. In fact, my post was on the light-weight side. TMZ is getting so politically correct that you feel like some big censor is hanging over you.

Posted at 8:24PM on Aug 17th 2007 by candleinthe wind

41. Don Imus and Al Sharpton are both ugly freaks. Don Imus is goldie and Al Sharpton is
locks, together they are OLDIE MOLDY GOLDY LOCKS.

Posted at 9:00PM on Aug 17th 2007 by Don Imus and Al Sharpton are hot for each other!

42. This guys has been severely beaten by an unusually merciless ugly stick

Posted at 12:11AM on Aug 18th 2007 by mari

43. Die Knee grow...

Posted at 1:22AM on Aug 18th 2007 by Britney sucks.

44. Actually this story of his hair has been known for years...

Posted at 1:58AM on Aug 18th 2007 by amy

45. It's a nice fairy tale you spin, Al. The reality is that as road manager for James Brown, you began to emulate the "look" of the Godfather of Soul to a frightening degree that freaked everybody out. You were never particularly popular with the other roadies and tolerated as a joke by ole Jim.

Posted at 2:47AM on Aug 18th 2007 by LEE RIVAS

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