Rainbow Soul

Prior to his passing, Deardra Shuler spoke with the famed Oscar Brown, Jr., an American singer, songwriter, playwright, poet, political aspirant and civil rights activist. He unsuccessfully ran for office in the Illinois State Legislature and U.S. Congress. A Chicago native, while in life, Oscar Brown, Jr., began his singing debut on the radio show, Secret City at age fifteen. His first major recorded work was in collaboration with Max Roach, “We Insist! Freedom Now.” Oscar composed songs like Bid “Em In,” “Work Song,” “Dat There,” “Sin and Soul,” Signifying Monkey, “Watermelon Man,” “The Snake,” and “Afro Blue.” A prolific writer and playwright, Brown wrote and produced “Sin and Soul” and “Big Time Buck White” which starred Muhammad Ali. He founded The Oscar Brown, Jr. H.I.P. Legacy Foundation to carry on his work. A bit of a maverick and a definite innovator, Brown appeared on the Today Show with host Dave Garroway. The first and last time an entire Broadway show was featured on the Today Show. Brown