Marva Whitney was an American funk and soul singer renowned for her powerful, gritty vocal style. She achieved prominence in the late 1960s as a member of the James Brown Revue, a rotating cast of musicians led by the legendary James Brown. Her most notable work is arguably "It's My Thing", which became a hit and cemented her place in the funk genre. Whitney's energetic performances and distinctive vocal style had a significant impact on the development of funk and soul music.