The Best Black Funk Music to Listen to Right Now
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It’s time to get funky! Check out our list of the best black funk music to listen to right now. From classic hits to new tracks, there’s something for everyone.
Black Funk Music
Funkadelic, Parliament, and Bootsy Collins – these are just a few of the famous black funk artists that you can listen to right now. Funk music originated in the 1970s and is a combination of soul, R&B, and psychedelic rock. If you’re looking for something new to listen to, funk music is a great option.
What is black funk music?
Black funk music is a genre that combines elements of soul, R&B, and psychedelic rock. It first gained popularity in the 1970s with groups like Parliament-Funkadelic and Sly and the Family Stone. Black funk artists often use call-and-response patterns, guitar riffs, and horn lines to create a groove-based sound.
While funk music was initially created by black artists for black audiences, it has since gone on to influence a wide range of genres, from hip hop to disco. Thanks to its popularity in the 1970s, black funk music continues to be hugely influential even today. If you’re looking for some of the best black funk bands to listen to right now, check out the list below.
The history of black funk music
Black funk music is a genre of music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It is a blend of African-American music styles such as soul, rhythm and blues, and jazz. Funk songs are often characterized by their use of groove-based rhythms, funky basslines, and call-and-response vocals.
The genre began to develop in the late 1960s, when musicians began to experiment with new sounds and rhythms. These new sounds were heavily influenced by the African-American music genres of soul and rhythm and blues. As the genre developed, it began to incorporate elements of jazz, particularly its use of improvisation.
Funk music reached its height of popularity in the 1970s. This was due in part to the success of artists such as James Brown, who is often considered the godfather of black funk music. Other funk artists who achieved mainstream success during this time include Sly and the Family Stone, Parliament-Funkadelic, and George Clinton.
Despite falling out of fashion in the 1980s, black funk music has experienced a revival in recent years. This is due in part to the success of contemporary artists such as Bruno Mars, Janelle Monáe, and Kendrick Lamar. These artists have helped to reintroduce black funk music to a new generation of listeners
The best black funk artists
When it comes to soulful, groove-heavy music, nobody does it quite like the black artists of the 1970s funk era. With its origins in African-American communities in the US, funk music quickly spread across the world and has since become one of the most popular and influential musical genres.
There are too many great black funk artists to mention them all, but here are 10 of the best that you should definitely check out:
1. James Brown
2. Parliament-Funkadelic
3. Sly & The Family Stone
4. The Isley Brothers
5. George Clinton
6. Bootsy Collins
7. Maceo Parker
8. Prince
9. Rick James
10. Michael Jackson
The Best Black Funk Music to Listen to Right Now
Funk is a style of music that arose in the mid-1960s when African American musicians created a rhythmic, danceable new form of music through a mixture of soul, jazz, and R&B. Funk is a style of music that is often associated with the 1970s, but it is still popular today. If you’re looking for some good black funk music to listen to, here are some of the best artists and songs to check out.
Black Panther: The Album
Black Panther: The Album is a 2018 soundtrack album for the Marvel Studios film Black Panther composed and produced by Kendrick Lamar and Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith. It features music performed by Lamar, SZA, The Weeknd, Vince Staples, Khalid, YG, Anderson .Paak, Ab-Soul, Travis Scott, James Blake, Jay Rock, Schoolboy Q and more.
A Tribe Called Quest, We got it from Here…Thank You 4 Your service
A Tribe Called Quest’s sixth and final album is a fittingly triumphant end to their career. Phife Dawg, who passed away in 2016, is memorialized throughout the record, with his contributions appearing on every song. But his presence is felt most keenly on “Lost Somebody,” a heart-wrenching ballad about loss and remembrance. The rest of the album is just as essential, with ATCQ sounding as vital as they did in their 90s heyday.
Kendrick Lamar, DAMN.
Kendrick Lamar is one of the most celebrated rappers of our generation. His 2015 album, To Pimp a Butterfly, was a critical and commercial success, and won him a Grammy for Best Rap Album. Lamar’s follow-up album, DAMN., was released in 2017 to even greater acclaim.
DAMN. is a masterful work of art, and features some of the best black funk music of our time. The album opener, “BLOOD.,” is a powerful track that sets the tone for the rest of the album. “DNA.” is another standout track, with its catchy hook and Kendrick’s dazzling lyrical prowess on full display. “YAH.,” “ELEMENT.,” and “FEAR.” are also standouts, showcasing Lamar’s versatility as an artist.
If you’re looking for some of the best black funk music to listen to right now, Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN. is an essential album.
Childish Gambino, “Awaken, My Love!”
It’s been a big year for Childish Gambino. Not only did he release his critically acclaimed third album “Awaken, My Love!” But he also starred in the hit movie “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and released a viral music video for his song “This Is America.”
Now, he’s back with another new video, this time for the track “Feels Like Summer.” The video features cameos from a who’s who of the music world, including Chance the Rapper, Alicia Keys, Solange, SZA, Tyler, the Creator, and more.
But while Childish Gambino is having a moment in the spotlight, he’s not the only one making great black funk music right now. Here are five other artists you should be listening to:
1. Thundercat
2. Kamasi Washington
3. Hiatus Kaiyote
4. BadBadNotGood
5. Tank and the Bangas
Conclusion
After surveying the range of black funk music available today, we can safely say that there’s something for everyone. From old-school legends like James Brown to contemporary artists like D’Angelo, the genre is alive and well. So if you’re looking for something new to add to your playlist, we recommend giving black funk a try. You might just find your new favorite artist.
