Funk is a music genre that originated in African American communities in the mid-1960s. It is characterized by a strong rhythmic groove, emphasis on the electric bass and electric guitar, and expressive vocals. Some key elements that define funk music include syncopated rhythms, percussive guitar and bass lines, strong horn sections, and call-and-response vocals. Funk drew on influences from soul, jazz, and R&B to create its distinct style and sound. Over the decades, funk has evolved into various subgenres and has been a major influence on many other genres like hip hop, house, and neo soul. Let’s take a closer look at what defines funk as a genre and some of the iconic artists and songs that epitomize its sound.
Characteristics of Funk Music
Some of the core characteristics that define the funk genre include:
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Driving Groove | Funk music is built on a strong rhythmic groove that emphasizes the downbeat. The bass and drums lay down a driving groove, often using syncopation and polyrhythms. |
| Percussive Guitar | Funk guitar playing makes use of percussive techniques like muting the strings to create a rhythmic, chunky texture. |
| Prominent Bass | The electric bass is front and center in funk, laying down funky riffs and solos. |
| Emphasis on Downbeat | The emphasis is on the downbeat in funk’s driving rhythmic structure. |
| Syncopation | Syncopated rhythms, with accents falling between the main beats, are a key part of funk’s groove. |
| Minimal Chord Changes | Funk often uses simple, static chord changes compared to rapid chord changes in other genres. |
| Stripped-down Arrangements | Funk arrangements are relatively simple and stripped-down compared to genres like jazz and R&B. |
| Improvisation | Improvisation and instrumental solos are common, especially on bass, guitar, and horns. |
| Call-and-Response | Call-and-response interaction between the lead singer and backing vocalists is a signature element. |
| Strong Horn Sections | Prominent saxes, trumpets and trombones are used to accentuate rhythms and melodies. |
These musical elements come together to create funk’s driving, syncopated groove and party-like feel. The emphasis is on creating a rhythmic, danceable texture where all the parts lock together in sync.
History and Origins of Funk
Funk originated in the mid-1960s in the United States, growing out of soul, R&B, and jazz. Some key innovators and milestones in the origins and early development of funk include:
– James Brown – The “Godfather of Soul” pioneered funk and heavily influenced the genre with songs like “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag” (1965) and “Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine” (1970). His band emphasized syncopated rhythms and percussive playing.
– Sly and the Family Stone – Multi-racial funk band led by Sly Stone pioneered a psychedelic, soulful funk sound heard on hits like “Dance To The Music” (1968) and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” (1969).
– George Clinton – Formed Parliament and Funkadelic in the late 60s/early 70s, pioneering funk rock by fusing psychedelic rock and funk. Notable albums include Parliament’s Mothership Connection (1975).
– New Orleans – Several New Orleans artists like The Meters and Dr. John blended funk with local rhythms to create the subgenre known as New Orleans funk.
– Late 1960s – Funk bands like Kool & the Gang, Ohio Players, and Tower of Power started gaining notice with their driving funk grooves.
– Early 1970s – Funk continued to evolve with bands getting bigger, more rock-oriented sounds with prominent guitars and heavy grooves. Funk rock fusion emerged.
Over the first half of the 1970s, funk solidified into a mainstream genre and distinct style. Iconic albums like Herbie Hancock’s Head Hunters (1973), War’s The World Is a Ghetto (1972) and Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life (1976) demonstrated funk’s reach and influence.
Notable Funk Artists
Some of the most influential and iconic funk artists who helped develop, popularize and evolve the genre include:
| Artist | Key Songs/Albums |
|---|---|
| James Brown | “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag”, “I Got You (I Feel Good)”, “Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine” |
| Parliament | “Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)”, Mothership Connection |
| Sly and the Family Stone | “Dance to the Music”, “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” |
| George Clinton | “Atomic Dog”, “One Nation Under a Groove” |
| Kool & the Gang | “Jungle Boogie”, “Hollywood Swinging” |
| Earth, Wind & Fire | “September”, “Shining Star”, “Let’s Groove” |
| The Meters | “Cissy Strut”, “Look-Ka Py Py”, “Chicken Strut” |
| Graham Central Station | “The Jam”, “Hair”, “Can You Handle It” |
| Tower of Power | “What is Hip?”, “You’ve Got To Funkifize”, “So Very Hard to Go” |
| Ohio Players | “Love Rollercoaster”, “Fire”, “Funky Worm” |
| Herbie Hancock | Head Hunters, “Chameleon”, “Hang Up Your Hang Ups” |
These powerhouse acts defined the classic sounds, styles and evolution of funk from the 60s through the 70s. Other notable funk artists include Stevie Wonder, Prince, Rick James, Cameo, Con Funk Shun and many more.
Subgenres of Funk
As funk music evolved from the late 60s into the 70s and beyond, various subgenres and fusion styles emerged. Some of the most notable funk subgenres include:
– **Funk Rock** – Blends funk rhythms with rock guitars, bass, and drums. Key artists: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Faith No More, Fishbone, Living Colour.
– **P-Funk** – The psychedelic, futuristic funk style pioneered by George Clinton bands Parliament and Funkadelic.
– **Jazz-Funk** – Combines funk rhythms and styles with jazz instrumentation and improvisation. Herbie Hancock was a key pioneer.
– **Disco-Funk** – Blends funk with the synthesizers, production and dance rhythms of disco music. Chic was a prime example.
– **G-Funk** – Slow, heavy gangsta funk beats popularized in 90s West Coast rap. Key artists: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Warren G.
– **Go-go** – Funk subgenre associated with Washington D.C. Features congas, percussion, call-and-response vocals. Trouble Funk were main innovators.
– **Afrobeat** – Genre pioneered in Africa combining funk/soul rhythms with jazz, highlife and traditional African beats. Fela Kuti created the style.
– **Boogie** – Slicker, electronic styled funk popular in early 80s. Representative acts: The Gap Band, Zapp.
Funk’s influence spread across many genres as artists incorporated its grooves and elements into new fusions like funk metal, funk-pop, jam bands and more.
Iconic Funk Songs
Some of the most classic, influential and best-known funk songs from across the decades include:
– “Cold Sweat” – James Brown (1967)
– “I Got You (I Feel Good)” – James Brown (1965)
– “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag” – James Brown (1965)
– “Sex Machine” – James Brown (1970)
– “Sir Duke” – Stevie Wonder (1976)
– “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again)” – Sly & the Family Stone (1969)
– “Family Affair” – Sly & the Family Stone (1971)
– “Flash Light” – Parliament (1978)
– “One Nation Under a Groove” – Funkadelic (1978)
– “Atomic Dog” – George Clinton (1982)
– “Star Child” – Parliament (1974)
– “Jungle Boogie” – Kool & the Gang (1973)
– “Hollywood Swinging” – Kool & the Gang (1974)
– “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” – James Brown (1970)
– “September” – Earth, Wind & Fire (1978)
– “Shining Star” – Earth, Wind & Fire (1975)
– “Let’s Groove” – Earth, Wind & Fire (1981)
– “Summer Madness” – Kool & the Gang (1974)
– “Play That Funky Music” – Wild Cherry (1976)
– “The Jam” – Graham Central Station (1976)
– “Love Rollercoaster” – Ohio Players (1975)
– “Fire” – Ohio Players (1974)
– “Chameleon” – Herbie Hancock (1973)
– ” Wrestling Meet” – Ohio Players (1974)
From James Brown’s earliest rhythmic experiments to Parliament’s interstellar grooves, this playlist of songs captures the essence of funk across different eras. The drums, bass, guitars, horns and vocals come together to make you want to get up and dance every time.
Conclusion
In summary, funk arose in the 1960s as a distinctly African-American genre that emphasized syncopated rhythms, electric instruments and groove-based jamming. Iconic artists like James Brown, George Clinton and Sly Stone pioneered the genre, leading to funk becoming hugely influential across multiple music genres. Core musical elements like the bass, drums, percussion, horns and vocals created funk’s signature rhythmic drive and party-like feel. Over time, funk expanded into various fusion genres and its influence can be felt across all popular music today. Funk retains a vibrant legacy decades after its origins, with its rhythms and grooves still inspiring artists and listeners to move and dance.
