Friends and relatives gathered at Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater on what would have been James Brown’s 74th birthday Thursday (yesterday).

While a good number of Brown’s loved ones privately paid tribute to the Godfather, surrogate son Al Sharpton took it to the streets earlier that day with a protest against racist and sexist lyrics promoted by the music industry.

Brown, who died on Christmas Day 2006, was finally buried, albeit temporarily, in a crypt at his daughter’s home in March of 2007. A permanent masoleum is reportedly being constructed.