The Biggest Influence on Funk Music

The biggest influence on funk music according to George Clinton is James Brown. Clinton was quoted in an interview saying, ” James Brown is the Godfather of Funk. He’s the one that gave us the groove.”

The Beginnings of Funk

Funk is a music style that began in the early 1970s. It is a blend of African-American music genres such as soul, rhythm and blues, and jazz. Funk is characterized by a strong groove, which is why it is often described as “danceable.” The biggest influence on funk music was James Brown.

James Brown and the Birth of Funk

In the early 1960s, James Brown’s band hit upon a new way of playing soul music that would have a profound and far-reaching impact. The new style was based on Brown’s vision of what he called “a hard, driving beat and riffing horns.” This approach was first heard on Brown’s 1964 hit “Out of Sight” and can be seen as the beginning of funk music.

Funk would go on to have a transformational effect on popular music, influencing everything from disco to hip-hop. But it all started with James Brown and the birth of funk.

The Spread of Funk

In the early 1970s, James Brown’s brand of funk spread to the rest of the world. Funk songs like “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” and “Super Bad” were hits in both the United States and Europe. George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic also found success with their mix of funk, rock, and R&B. Clinton’s style of funk would have a significant influence on later generations of funk musicians.

Other important early funk musicians include Sly Stone, who led Sly and the Family Stone, and Bootsy Collins, who was a member of Parliament-Funkadelic and later became a successful solo artist. Bootsy Collins’ style of funk bass playing would be emulated by many later bassists.

The popularity of disco in the late 1970s led to a decline in interest in funk music, but in the 1980s, there was a resurgence in popularity for the genre. This was due in part to the popularity of hip hop music, which often sampled classic funk tracks. Some of the most popular hip hop artists of the 1980s, including Public Enemy and De La Soul, incorporated elements of funk into their music.

Today, funk is enjoying something of a renaissance, with many young musicians finding inspiration in the genre’s history. While some modern funk bands remain true to the sound of classic 1970s funk, others are experimenting with different styles and incorporating elements of other genres.

The Godfathers of Funk

Funk music would not be what it is today if it wasn’t for the godfathers of funk. Parliament-Funkadelic, James Brown, and Sly and the Family Stone all created a new sound that would influence funk music for years to come. These artists brought a new level of energy and excitement to their music that was unmatched at the time.

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 music during the 1970s that drew on science fiction, outlandish fashion, psychedelic culture, and surreal humor. He presided over his collective’s elaborate stage shows, and was a solo recording artist with charting singles such as “Flash Light” and “One Nation Under a Groove”. Clinton has been cited as one of the foremost innovators of funk music along with James Brown and Sly Stone. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 with fifteen other members of Parliament-Funkadelic.

Bootsy Collins

Bootsy Collins is an American musician and singer-songwriter. He is best known as a bass guitarist with James Brown in the 1960s, as well as Parliament-Funkadelic in the 1970s. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inducted in 1997 with fifteen other members of Parliament-Funkadelic.

Sly and the Family Stone

One of the most important and influential bands of the late 1960s and early 1970s, Sly and the Family Stone helped break down racial barriers in pop music while charting a path towards funk. Formed in 1967 by singer, songwriter, and producer Sly Stone, the band played an eclectic mix of soul, rock, pop, and R&B that was years ahead of its time. With its combination of funky grooves, political consciousness, and multi-racial lineup, Sly and the Family Stone laid the groundwork for both Funkadelic and Parliament-Funkadelic as well as subsequent generations of hip-hop and R&B artists.

The Funk of Today

There are countless funk songs that have come out in the last few years, and it can be hard to keep track of them all. However, one thing is for sure: the biggest influence on funk music today is the Internet. With the help of the Internet, funk musicians are able to connect with each other and share their music with the world.

The New School of Funk

Funk music is a genre that was born out of the African American experience. It is a true melting pot of styles, influenced by everything from blues and jazz to soul and rock. In the early days, funk was defined by a hard-driving, groove-based sound. But over the years, the genre has evolved to include a wide range of styles.

One of the biggest influences on funk music today is hip hop. Hip hop artists have been incorporating funk into their music since the genre first emerged in the late 1970s. And as hip hop has grown in popularity, so has funk. Today, many funk artists are drawn to hip hop’s energy and its ability to keep people moving.

Another big influence on funk today is electronic music. Funk artists have always been open to incorporating new sounds and technologies into their music. And with the rise of electronic music, they have found a whole new world of possibilities. Electronic producers are often able to create sounds that are impossible to recreate with traditional instruments. This has allowed funk artists to experiment with new sounds and textures, resulting in some truly innovative and exciting music.

The Legacy of Funk

Funk began to hit the mainstream in the 1970s, with James Brown’s “The Payback” becoming one of the most popular songs of the decade. Funk continued to be popular in the 1980s, with artists like Prince and George Clinton leading the way. But what is funk, and where did it come from?

Funk is a style of music that is characterized by a heavy groove and often features improvisation. It developed out of soul music and has influences from gospel, jazz, and R&B. The first funk song is generally considered to be Brown’s “Cold Sweat,” which was released in 1967.

Funk has had a lasting impact on popular music, with many artists of all genres incorporating elements of funk into their own music. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in funk, with new bands forming and old bands reuniting. If you’re looking to get your groove on, there’s no better place to start than with some funk!