Trouble Funk: The Best in Funk Music
Trouble Funk is an American go-go band. They have been credited as being among the pioneers of the go-go sound. The group’s name comes from a brand of drum machine called the Roland TR-808, which was nicknamed “The Troublemaker”.
Introduction
Trouble Funk was a pioneering go-go band from Washington, D.C., USA. active from the early 1970s through the early 1990s. The band’s sound originated from a mix of funk, soul, R&B, and disco. They were known for their horn-driven sound, energetic live shows, and pyrotechnic stage performances.
The band was formed in 1971 by vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Tony Fisher, bassist/vocalist Stanley Nelson Jr., keyboardist/vocalist Emmanuel Abdul-Rahim, and drummer/percussionist James Oakley. They began performing around the D.C. area and soon became one of the most popular go-go bands in the city.
In the 1980s, Trouble Funk released several albums on indie labelsbefore signing with Island Records in 1987. They released their major label debut album, In Times of Trouble, that year. The album’s lead single, “Pump Me Up”, became one of the most popular go-go songs of all time and helped put Trouble Funk on the national map. The band continued to release albums throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s before disbanding in 1994.
Although they never achieved widespread commercial success outside of the go-go scene, Trouble Funk was one of the most popular and influential go-go bands of all time. Their music has been sampled by numerous hip hop artists over the years, including Public Enemy, Naughty by Nature, Busta Rhymes, and LL Cool J.
The Birth of Trouble Funk
In the early 1970s, the Washington, D.C. area was a hotbed for musical experimentation and cross-pollination. Funk, soul, rock, and Latin rhythms all mixed together to create a sound that was both fresh and familiar. One of the bands at the forefront of this movement was Trouble Funk. Formed in 1978, Trouble Funk blended elements of funk, soul, and disco to create a sound that was both danceable and politically charged. The band’s 1980 debut album, Drop the Bomb, is considered a classic of the genre, and their live shows were legendary for their energy and intensity.
In the ensuing years, Trouble Funk released a string of well-received albums and became one of the most popular bands in the Washington, D.C. area. They also began to attract attention from beyond the region; in 1985, they were featured on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered program, and their music was used in several films and television shows. In 1987, they toured Europe with fellow D.C.-area band Go-Go’s Penguin.
Despite their success, Trouble Funk never achieved widespread commercial acclaim; however, their influence can be heard in the work of later funk and hip-hop artists such as Outkast and Missy Elliott. In recent years, the band has continued to perform live and record new music, keeping alive the spirit of D.C.’s vibrant music scene.
The Sound of Trouble Funk
Trouble Funk is a go-go band from Washington, D.C.. They were one of the leading bands of the go-go scene in the 1980s. The band’s sound is a mix of funk, soul, hip hop, and Latin music. Trouble Funk has been credited with helping to popularize go-go music outside of Washington, D.C.. In addition to their own albums, the band has also been featured on compilations such as “The Best of Funk Vol. 1” and “Funk Classics: The Ultimate Collection”.
The Legacy of Trouble Funk
Trouble Funk is one of the most important and influential bands in the history of funk music. Originally formed in Washington, D.C. in the early 1970s, Trouble Funk developed a signature sound that was heavier and more danceable than anything else being created at the time. With their driving basslines, pounding drums, and psychedelic keyboards, Trouble Funk created a new template for funk that would be widely imitated in the decades to follow.
Trouble Funk’s impact extends beyond their own music. The band served as a launchpad for the career of acclaimed producer/rapper/DJ Teddy Riley, who would go on to create the New Jack Swing sound in the 1980s and produce hits for Michael Jackson, Bobby Brown, and many others. Riley’s work with Trouble Funk helped to shape the sound of modern R&B and hip-hop, making them one of the most important bands in the history of popular music.
Today, Trouble Funk is still active, touring regularly and releasing new music. They are also working on a documentary about their career, which is scheduled to be released in 2019.
