Top 5 Psychedelic Funk and Trip Hop Artists

If you’re looking for some new psychedelic funk and trip hop to add to your collection, check out our top 5 picks! From classic artists like Funkadelic to newer ones like Thievery Corporation, there’s something for everyone.

George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic

George Clinton is an American singer, songwriter, bandleader, and record producer. His Parliament-Funkadelic collective (which primarily recorded under the distinct band names Parliament and Funkadelic) developed an influential and eclectic form of funk music during the 1970s that drew on science fiction, outlandish fashion, psychedelic culture, and surreal humor. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 with fifteen other members of Parliament-Funkadelic.

Sly and the Family Stone

Sly and the Family Stone was an American band from San Francisco. Active from 1966 to 1983, the band was pivotal in the development of Funk and Psychedelic rock. They were the first major American band to have an “integrated, multi-gender” lineup. All of the band members agreed that they would not be limited by race or gender, which was very rare for bands at that time.

The family Stone consisted of Sly Stone (lead vocals, keyboards, bass), Rose Stone (keyboards, vocals), Freddie Stone (guitar, vocals), Rudy Stewart (drums), Cynthia Robinson (trumpet, vocals), Jerry Martini (saxophone), Larry Graham (bass guitar, vocals) and Greg Errico (drums). The band released 5 studio albums from 1967-1974 before taking an extended hiatus.

Their debut album “A Whole New Thing” was released in 1967 on Epic Records and introduced their unique sound which combined Funk, Soul, R&B and Psychedelia. They achieved mainstream success with their 2nd album “Dance to the Music” which included the hit title track. The album peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 chart and No. 1 on the R&B chart. Their 3rd album “Life” continued their trend of social commentary with songs like “Don’t Call Me Nigger, Whitey” which addressed racism in America. The album peaked at No. 4 on both the Pop and R&B charts.

The Family Stone’s 4th album “Stand!” is considered by many to be their best work. The album contains some of their most iconic songs like “I Want to Take You Higher”, “Sing a Simple Song” and “Everyday People”. The album addresses a variety of socially relevant topics such as mind control (“Don’t Burn Baby”), Vietnam War (“Stand!”) and poverty (“Somebody’s Watching You”). The album was a critical and commercial success, peaking at No. 3 on both the Pop and R&B charts.

The Sly and the Family Stone continued to tour heavily throughout the early 1970s but creative tensions within the group began to surface. These tensions eventually led to the departure of several members of the band including founding member Larry Graham. Despite these lineup changes, they released one final album in 1974 entitled “Small Talk”. The album failed to match the commercial or critical success of their previous efforts and signaled the end of Sly and Family Stone’s recording career.

Funkadelic

Funkadelic was an American band that was most prominent in the 1970s. The band blended elements of funk, rock, and soul. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.

Discography:
-Maggot Brain (1971)
-Cosmic Slop (1973)
-Standing on the Verge of Getting It On (1974)
-Let’s Take It to the Stage (1975)
-Funkadelic (1970)

James Brown

James Brown was an American musician and producer who pioneered the musical genres of hip hop, funk, and disco. He is credited with helping to shape the sound and style of black music in the 20th century. His influence on popular music is undeniable; he helped to create some of the most iconic tracks of all time.

As a solo artist, Brown released numerous hit singles including “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” “I Got You (I Feel Good),” and “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine.” He also worked with other important artists such as Parliament-Funkadelic, Bootsy Collins, and Maceo Parker. His work in the studio and on stage was revolutionary, and his impact is still felt today.

If you’re looking for some psychedelic funk and trip hop vibes, look no further than James Brown.

Parliament

Formed in the early 1970s by George Clinton, Parliament was a prolific funk band that released several gold and platinum albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The band was known for their outrageous stage costumes and elaborate stage shows, which often featured Clinton dressed as a space alien. Musically, Parliament blended elements of funk, rock, soul, and R&B to create a unique sound that was perfect for dancing. In addition to Clinton, other notable members of Parliament include Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell, and Sheila E.