James Brown was a musical legend — but his failure to engage in estate planning prior to his passing away left his family in financial turmoil. As AfroTech previously reported, the “Mother Popcorn” singer had an estate that was estimated to be worth more than $100 million. But when he died in 2006, his will was nothing if not vague. According to Smithsonian Magazine, the Godfather of Soul merely made provisions for the value of his estate to be designated for scholarships for children in need. Given how James Brown grew up — in a small wood cabin in the rural town of Elko, SC — it would make sense that he’d want nothing but the best for those who may be like him. But needless to say, his will was contested almost immediately after his passing thanks to his complicated legacy. And, after a costly 15-year battle, his heirs finally sold the value of his estate for $90 million to Primary Wave Music. This settlement, however, is not without its issues. “For the past 15 years, several...

Growing up in poverty, James Brown understood — perhaps better than anyone — t he importance of education. He also knew that for many Black men and women like him, college was an impossibility due to finances. That’s why, in his lifetime, the Godfather of Soul wanted to use his estate to fund scholarships for those who needed it. Now, 15 years after James Brown passed away, that dream has become a reality thanks to a new deal made with Primary Wave Music. Bloomberg reports that the company — which has made similar deals with the likes of Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston, and Prince’s estate — has just agreed to purchase Brown’s estate for an estimated $90 million. But this deal is not without its issues. For the past 15 years, several people — including five children of James Brown — have been battling it out in probate court to gain control of the estate. Before any money can be paid out, lawsuits must be decided and settled between current and former executors of the estate. It’s...