You’re at a family reunion in Louisiana, or maybe a backyard BBQ in Houston. The air is thick with the smell of ribs and the humidity is hitting about 90%. Suddenly, a beat kicks in—a bluesy, rolling groove that makes every uncle within a three-mile radius stand up. A gravelly, soulful voice starts talking about a "side piece."
That’s the moment you know the party has actually started.
If you’ve spent any time in the South over the last decade, you’ve heard songs by Pokey Bear. Whether it’s the controversial anthem "My Sidepiece" or the high-energy "Good Foot," Wardell Brown (the man behind the moniker) has carved out a space in Southern Soul that feels both nostalgic and totally modern. But how did a former rapper from Baton Rouge become the face of a genre that usually belongs to the older generation?
The Accidental King of Southern Soul
Honestly, Pokey Bear didn’t set out to be a blues singer. Born on February 2, 1970, in Baton Rouge, he spent his early years deep in the rap game. Under his real name, Wardell Brown, he was putting out projects like Hardest Pit in the Litter back in 1999. He had the flow, the swagger, and the Houston-influenced grit, but the pivot to soul was where the real magic happened.
It wasn't a corporate rebranding. It was a natural evolution.
His breakthrough happened when he teamed up with producer Beat Flippa and songwriter Charles "Highway Heavy" Lewis. They had a hook about a side piece that other artists were too scared to touch. It was "too messy," they said. Pokey didn't care. He took those lyrics, added his signature "James Brown meets the Bayou" growl, and created a monster.
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Why "My Sidepiece" Changed Everything
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. "My Sidepiece" is a wild song. It’s unsparing, brutally honest, and—to some—completely scandalous. But in the world of Southern Soul, honesty is the currency.
The song isn't just about cheating; it’s about the "outlaw" persona. When Pokey sings about his baby not going anywhere even though he’s chilling in Morocco or Mexico with someone else, it touches a nerve. Men love the braggadocio; women often find the sheer audacity of it hilarious.
It’s reached a level of fame that most mainstream artists would envy. On YouTube alone, the track has racked up over 118 million plays. For a genre that usually lives on local radio and in juke joints, those are superstar numbers.
The Evolution of the Sound
Since that 2013 explosion with the album Josephine Son Pokey, he hasn't just sat on his laurels. He’s been prolific.
- "They Call Me Pokey": This is essentially his theme song. If you want to know who the man is, listen to this.
- "Older Woman": Featuring Dellanor and Akilah, this track flipped the script and showed he could handle more traditional, soulful themes with a modern bounce.
- "Good Foot": Released around 2015, this one is a straight-up dance floor filler. It’s got that "get-out-of-your-chair" energy that defines the "Blues is Alright" tours he headlines.
Keeping the Momentum in 2026
You might think a "regional" star would fade out, but Pokey Bear is arguably bigger now than he was five years ago. Just look at his 2026 schedule. He’s currently headlining the "The Blues Is Alright Tour" alongside heavyweights like King George, Tucka, and Sir Charles Jones.
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He’s still dropping music, too. In March 2025, he released a single called "Bump Bump Bump" that proves he’s not tired of the grind. He also recently collaborated with Boosie Badazz on "Boosie Blues," bridging the gap between the rap world he started in and the soul world he now rules.
People love him because he feels real. He’s not some polished pop star. He’s a guy who played football at Abilene Christian, studied kinesiology, and eventually found his voice in the blues. That "regular guy" energy makes the music hit harder.
The Discography You Need to Know
If you're just getting into songs by Pokey Bear, don't just stop at the hits. You need to dig into the albums to get the full experience of the "King of Swing."
- Josephine Son Pokey (2013): The essential start. This is where "My Sidepiece" and "They Call Me Pokey" live.
- Mr. It Ain't Fair (2016): This album showed he wasn't a one-hit wonder. "One Night Stand" and "Good Foot" are the standouts here.
- Bear Season (2017): A bit more experimental but still deeply rooted in that Louisiana sound.
- Crown Me (2020): Solidifying his place at the top of the Southern Soul food chain.
The beauty of his music is the collaboration. He’s part of the "Louisiana Blue Brothas" with Tyree Neal and Adrian Bagher. Their 2014 project Love on the Bayou is basically a masterclass in modern Southern R&B.
What Most People Get Wrong About Pokey
There’s a misconception that Southern Soul is "old people music." That’s dead wrong.
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While the roots are in the blues of Z.Z. Hill and Johnnie Taylor, Pokey Bear brings a hip-hop sensibility to it. The beats are heavier. The lyrics are grittier. He uses social media and viral hits to keep the younger generation engaged. When you see him live in 2026, the crowd isn't just people in their 60s; it’s 20-somethings who grew up hearing these songs at every party they ever went to.
Another thing? People think he's just a "character." But if you watch his interviews or see him interact with fans, he’s exactly who he sounds like on record. He’s got that larger-than-life swagger, but he’s also known for being incredibly accessible to his fan base, often staying late after shows to take photos until the lights go out.
Actionable Steps for the Pokey Bear Fan
If you want to dive deeper into this scene, here is how you do it right:
- Catch a Live Show: Pokey is touring heavily through April 2026. Check the "Blues Is Alright Tour" dates in cities like Tampa, Charlotte, and Atlanta. There is nothing like hearing "My Sidepiece" with 10,000 other people singing along.
- Explore the Remixes: The "They Call Me Pokey (Remix)" with Tucka and Tyree Neal is arguably better than the original. It captures the camaraderie of the Louisiana music scene.
- Branch Out: If you like Pokey, check out Ronnie Bell, West Love, and J-Wonn. They are the new guard of Southern Soul.
- Follow the Producers: Keep an eye on anything produced by Beat Flippa. He’s the architect of that specific, infectious sound that Pokey rides so well.
Pokey Bear is more than just a viral song. He’s the bridge between the old-school blues and the modern South. As long as there are cookouts and juke joints, his voice is going to be the soundtrack.