 Trevor Nelson's Divas

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Trevor Nelson's Divas

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Trevor Nelson opens his interview archive to share the stories of our greatest divas.

Trevor Nelson opens his extraordinary interview archive to share the stories of our greatest divas.

Don't let the title mislead you! Divas aren't all women. And diva is not a negative.

For Trevor Nelson, a diva is a super-successful artist, a household name, someone who is driven, has left their mark. Someone who is sure of themselves and sure of their own ability. And they have to be top of their game.

Throughout his career Trevor has interviewed some of the best-loved musicians in the world, and along the way has gained a unique insights - and access - into their lives both on and off stage. In this podcast, he goes back into his own archive to share what he's learned about the biggest artists of our generation.

Hear Mariah Carey talking to Trevor on her private jet, as well as incredible early interviews with the likes of Beyoncé, Usher, Kanye West, Mary J. Blige and more.

Trevor Nelson's Divas: James Brown - without him No Hip Hop!

James Brown - is the Godfather of Soul a Diva?

James Brown - without him No Hip Hop!

BBC Radio 2 - Trevor Nelson's Divas, James Brown - without him No Hip Hop!

James Brown has the most monickers in music and he's one hundred percent Diva good and bad

James Brown has the most monickers in music - Soul Brother No 1, the Godfather of Soul, the Hardest Working Man In Showbiz - would he live up to his  status as both Diva and Hero?

'First there was Beethoven, then there was Bach and then there was Brown' - that's what James Brown - Mr Brown to Trevor - said before they started an interview in a hotel, just a few days before he also recorded an exclusive concert for the BBC.

James Brown has the most monikers in music - Soul Brother Number One, the Godfather of Soul, the Hardest Working Man In Showbiz - but would he live up to his  status as both Diva and Hero for Trevor. He was charming, after throwing the first question straight back with a wise  and witty quip, but Trevor had the feeling that he could turn at any moment and the results would not have been pretty. 

Key tracks, his childhood in poverty, stage tricks, theatrics, his first visits to british television studios and the fact that he was the most sampled (and least financially compensated) artist on the planet all come up in their fascinating and thrilling conversation. 

He was of course a huge figure - even at the age of 70  - sharp, sassy, cocky, complicated and provocative all at once. James Brown simply didn't care what people thought of his politics, behaviour and horrendous private life, but, without him, no Hip Hop and no great stage performances from the likes of Prince and Michael Jackson. One hundred percent true Diva.

Amazing music. Played by an amazing line up.

Radio 2: Amazing music. Played by an amazing line-up. The home of great music, entertainment and documentaries

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