Rate Your Music: The Best 80s Funk Albums

If you’re looking for the best 80s funk albums, you’ve come to the right place. Here at Rate Your Music, we’ve compiled a list of the top funk albums from the 80s. So whether you’re a fan of George Clinton or Parliament-Funkadelic, we’ve got you covered.

Introduction

Funk is a genre of music that arose in the late 1960s and early 1970s when African American musicians created a rhythmic, danceable new form of music through a mixture of soul, jazz, and rhythm and blues (R&B). Funk developed a distinctiveIdentifiable sound that included wah-wah and Pedal Steel Guitars, strong bass lines, and horn sections. The lyrics are often based on partying, sexuality, and love.

In the 1980s, funk enjoyed a popular resurgence with bands like Parliament-Funkadelic, Cameo, and Prince. This list ranks the best 80s funk albums, including both studio albums by these artists as well as compilations and live albums.

The Best 80s Funk Albums

80s funk music was a popular genre in the 80s that was a mix of funk, R&B, and pop music. The genre was characterized by its heavy use of synthesizers, drum machines, and bass guitar. If you’re a fan of 80s funk music, then check out this list of the best 80s funk albums.

Prince – Purple Rain

Throughout his career, Prince managed to stay true to his ‘80s roots, and no album demonstrates this more than Purple Rain. The lead single “When Doves Cry” is an ‘80s classic, and the album as a whole is a genre-defining work. It’s hard to imagine what funk would sound like without Prince, and Purple Rain is the perfect starting point for those looking to get into his unique brand of danceable pop.

Michael Jackson – Thriller

Considered one of the greatest albums of all time, Thriller was released in late 1982 and became the best-selling album of 1983. It is MJ’s most commercially successful album and still holds the title for best-selling album of all time with an impressive 110 million copies sold worldwide. The success of Thriller lies in its mix of pop, R&B, and dance-funk tracks that are all catchy as hell. “Billie Jean” and “Beat It” are undoubtedly two of MJ’s most iconic hits, while “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” and “Baby Be Mine” are perfect examples of his mastery of Funk. If you’re looking for a fun, upbeat album to dance to, look no further than Thriller.

George Clinton – One Nation Under a Groove

This is the album that made me a fan of Funkadelic/George Clinton, and it’s still my favorite album by the band. The whole thing is great, but the title track, “Who Says a Funk Band Can’t Play Rock?”, and “FUNK GETS STRONGER (KILLA MILLENNIA MIX)” are among my all-time favorite tracks.

Parliament – The Mothership Connection

One of the founding fathers of funk, George Clinton, headed up Parliament, who released some of the genre’s most classic albums in the ’70s. The group hit their stride in the ’80s with The Mothership Connection. Clinton’s spaced-out lyrics and funky beats helped to cement Parliament’s reputation as one of the best funk bands of all time.

Rick James – Street Songs

With its mix of classic rock, R&B, and funk, Street Songs was Rick James’ breakthrough album. It became his best-selling album and remains his most commercially successful release. The album features the hit singles “Super Freak” and “Give It to Me Baby”, which helped James become one of the most popular artists of the early 1980s.

Conclusion

These are the best 80s funk albums, according to Rate Your Music users. If you’re a fan of 80s funk, be sure to check out these albums. Who knows, you might find a new favorite!

1. Parliament – Funkadelic (1970)
2. Bootsy’s Rubber Band – Bootsy? Player of the Year (1978)
3. Sly and the Family Stone – There’s a Riot Goin’ On (1971)
4. James Brown -Sex Machine (1970)
5. Cameo – Word Up! (1986)
6. Maceo and All the King’s Men – Doing Their Own Thing (1968)
7. The Meters -Rejuvenation (1974)
8. George Clinton – Computer Games (1982)
9. Rick James – Street Songs (1981)
10. Kool and the Gang – Celebrate! (1980)