Dr. Scot Brown

Faculty-in-Residence - Rieber Hall

sbrown@history.ucla.edu

Dr. Scot Brown is a leading scholar of African American history, popular culture and music. He teaches African American Studies and History at the University of California, Los Angeles, and has authored two books; Fighting for Us, and Discourse on Africana Studies (ed). Dr. Brown’s works have also appeared in a host of scholarly publications: Liner Notes, Issues in African American Music, Journal of Black Studies, Black Scholar, Freedom North, Malcolm X: A Historical Reader, Journal of African American History, Black Los Angeles, American Studies Journal, and Africana Methodology.

Dr. Brown’s studies of Black music are deeply informed by his experience as an independent musician, producer and songwriter. He is completing a third book examining 1970s R&B and funk bands, and has interviewed a myriad of legendary funk artists - including: Leroy “Sugarfoot” Bonner (The Ohio Players), Bootsy Collins, Lester Troutman (Zapp), Keith Wilder (Heatwave), Steve Arrington (Slave and Steve Arrington’s Hall of Fame), Carrie Lucas, Mark Adams (Slave), Byron Byrd (Sun), Ernie Isley (Isley Brothers), Jannetta Warren (Zapp), Mark Wood (Lakeside), Keith Harrison (Faze-O and Dazz Band), Reggie Calloway (Midnight Star and Calloway) and many more.

Given the breadth of his insight and research on African American social movements, music history and popular culture, Dr. Brown has frequently appeared as an expert commentator for television and radio programs. The following are some of Dr. Brown’s noteworthy appearances — National Public Radio (Paying Tribute to Funk’s Sugarfoot Bonner), Sirius/XM Radio (Joe Madison Show), BET/Centric (Being - Dionne Warwick), PBS (Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution and Blackademics Television), TV One (Unsung - episodes: Heatwave, The O’Jays, The Spinners, The Ohio Players, Midnight Star, DJ Quik, Lakeside, Patrice Rushen and Mtume), VH1 (Finding the Funk) and most recently on Cinemax (Tales From the Tour Bus - episodes: James Brown and Bootsy Collins).

Dr. Scot Brown has recently released the song “Last Man [Remix],” featuring Mr. Ric, Rick Marcel and fellow UCLA professor Bryonn Bain - available on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, iHeart Radio and most music streaming platforms.