70’s Black Funk Music You Need to Know

If you’re a fan of funk music, then you need to check out these 70’s black funk artists that you need to know. From James Brown to Sly and the Family Stone, these artists defined a genre and created some of the most iconic music of the 20th century.

Introduction

Black Funk music emerged in the early seventies as a result of the Black Power movement. This genre of music is a mix of Funk, Soul, and R&B. It is characterized by its earthy,booty shaking sound, and often contains politically charged lyrics. If you’re looking to get funky, here are some Black Funk songs you need to know!

The Birth of Funk

The Birth of Funk

The birth of funk is often traced back to the early 1970s, when James Brown and his band began experimenting with a new style that incorporated elements of soul, R&B, and African music. The result was a sound that was rawer and more danceable than anything that had come before, and it quickly caught on with both black and white audiences.

By the mid-1970s, funk was one of the most popular genres in the world, and artists like George Clinton, Parliament-Funkadelic, Bootsy Collins, and Sly & the Family Stone were leading the way. These bands took funk to new heights with their outlandish stage shows, psychedelic lyrics, and extended jams that became known as “funkadelic.”

During the 1980s and 1990s, funk began to experience a renaissance thanks to artists like Prince, George Clinton’s side project Funkadelic, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and others who blended the style with other genres like rock, hip-hop, and pop. Today, funk continues to evolve as a vital force in popular music.

The Godfathers of Funk

The 1970s was a decade of great transition for African-American music. The smooth sounds of soul and Motown gave way to the gritty, hard-hitting sounds of funk. Funk was a new kind of music that incorporated elements of soul, R&B, and even jazz. It was a danceable, feel-good style of music that would come to define the sound of the 1970s.

Some of the most iconic and influential funk bands came to prominence in the 1970s. These bands would go on to have massive success and influence within the genre, and their sound would help to shape popular music for decades to come. Here are just a few of the great funk bands that you need to know from the 1970s.

The Funky Four +1

Originating from the Bronx, The Funky Four+1 was a groundbreaking Hip Hop group, being the first female Hip Hop group to be signed to a major record label. The group was made up of MC Sha-Rock, Lisa Lee, Divine Design, Red-Hot Chillie Peppers and Queen Sheeba.

The Funky Four +1 were brought to Sugar Hill Records by label owner Sylvia Robinson after she saw them perform at a block party. Their song “Rappin’ And Rockin’ The House” was released in 1979 and became an underground hit, even though it was only meant to be a B-side.

The group’s follow-up track, “Do the Funky Duck”, was even more successful and helped them gain a wider audience. They appeared on Soul Train and performed at New York’s Apollo Theater. However, despite their success, The Funky Four +1 never released a full album and disbanded in 1981.

The Ohio Players

The Ohio Players were a Funk/Soul band, popular in the 1970s. The band was formed in 1954 in Dayton, Ohio by a group of high school students. The Ohio Players’ first album, “Observations in Time”, was released in 1969. The album’s first single, “Funky Worm”, was a hit, reaching #1 on the R&B chart and #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Ohio Players’ next album, “Pain”, was released in 1972 and featured the hit single “Pain”, which reached #1 on the R&B chart and #21 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Ohio Players’ third album, “Pleasure”, was released in 1973 and featured the hit single “Funky Worm”, which reached #1 on the R&B chart and #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Ohio Players’ fourth album, “Honey”, was released in 1974 and featured the hit singles “Sweet Sticky Thing” and “Love Rollercoaster”. The Ohio Players’ fifth album, “Contradiction”, was released in 1976 and featured the hit singles “Fire” and “Who’d She Coo?”.

Parliament-Funkadelic

Formed in the late 1960s, Parliament-Funkadelic was a collective of musicians led by George Clinton. The group developed a unique style that drew on diverse influences, including psychedelic rock, soul, and R&B. Parliament-Funkadelic became one of the most popular funk bands of the 1970s, with hits like “Flash Light” and “One Nation Under a Groove.” The group’s innovative style would go on to influence subsequent generations of musicians.

Bootsy’s Rubber Band

Bootsy’s Rubber Band was a seminal funk band led by Bootsy Collins. The band was influential in the development of the subgenre of funk known as P-Funk. They were also known for their outrageous stage shows and psychedelic fashion sense. Some of their hits include “Stretchin’ Out (in a Rubber Band),” “I’d Rather Be with You,” and “Bootzilla.”

Conclusion

So there you have it, 70’s black funk music you need to know. These are just a tiny sampling of the great songs and artists that helped to define this amazing decade in music. As always, feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments section below. And be sure to check out our other “need to know” lists for more great music recommendations.