2017’s Best Funk Dance Music
Looking for the best funk dance music to get your groove on in 2017? Look no further! We’ve got the ultimate playlist of the freshest, most infectious tracks around.
Best Funk Songs of 2017
In no particular order, here are some of the best funk songs that came out in 2017. If you’re a fan of the genre or just getting into it, these tracks are sure to get you grooving.
“Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars
This song is the epitome of funk. It has a catchy beat that makes you want to get up and dance, and the lyrics are fun and easy to sing along to. Bruno Mars is a master of creating catchy, upbeat tunes, and “Uptown Funk” is no exception.
“Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake
“Can’t Stop the Feeling!” is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake for the film Trolls (2016). The song was written and produced by Timberlake, Max Martin, and Shellback; it contains elements of classic and contemporary funk. In the US, it became Timberlake’s fifth number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100, winning the Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance in 2018. Internationally, the single topped the charts in 20 countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Sweden.
“24K Magic” by Bruno Mars
“24K Magic” by Bruno Mars is one of the best funk songs of 2017. The song released in October 2016, and achieved commercial success, peaking at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number one on the UK Singles Chart. The song has a disco-funk sound and is perfect for dancing.
“SexyBack” by Justin Timberlake
“SexyBack” is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake for his second studio album, FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006). It was released on July 18, 2006, to US radio stations as the album’s lead single. The song was co-written and produced by Timberlake, Timbaland, and Danja. “SexyBack” features elements of R&B and electronica. The song’s instrumentation includes drum machine, percussion and keyboards. Its lyrics refer to a man who is bringing “sexy back”.
“SexyBack” peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Timberlake’s third consecutive number-one single on that chart, as well as his fourth overall. Internationally, the song peaked within the top five of fifteen countries. A music video directed by Paul Hunter was created to promote the single. In it, Timberlake performs various dance moves in a nightclub setting; he also dons an eye patch throughout most of the video. The video received positive reviews from critics who noted its similarity to Michael Jackson’s Thriller (1983). “SexyBack” became Timberlake’s first single to achieve nine weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also won a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording at the 2007 ceremony.
Best Funk Albums of 2017
Funk music has been around for decades and it shows no signs of slowing down. Each year, there are new funk albums released and 2017 was no different. Here are some of the best funk albums of 2017.
“Uptown Special” by Mark Ronson
Uptown Special is the fourth studio album by English record producer Mark Ronson. The album was released on 13 January 2015, through Ronson’s own record label, Allido Records, and Columbia Records. Ronson produced the album with collaborator Jeff Bhasker. The album features guest vocals from Mystikal, Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, Bruno Mars, Andrew Wyatt of Miike Snow, and Ghostface Killah of Wu-Tang Clan.
The album debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart and number one on the US Billboard 200, becoming Ronson’s first US number-one album. To date, it has sold over two million copies worldwide. Upon its release, Uptown Special received positive reviews from music critics.
“This is What You Came For” by Calvin Harris
This is What You Came For is the fourth studio album by Scottish producer and DJ Calvin Harris. The album was released on 29 April 2017 through Sony Music.
The album features collaborations with a number of artists, including Frank Ocean, Migos, Ariana Grande, Khalid, PartyNextDoor, and Young Thug.
The lead single from the album, “Slide”, was released on 25 February 2017. The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
“This is What You Came For” received positive reviews from critics. AllMusic’s Heather Phares praised the album for its “consistently addictive funktastic grooves”, while Pitchfork’s Ryan Dombal wrote that it “finds Harris at his freewheeling best”.
“Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1” by Calvin Harris
Known for his pop collaborations and club bangers, Calvin Harris’s Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 was a return to Harris’s dance music roots. The album features an all-star cast of collaborators including Snoop Dogg, Future, Katy Perry, Khalid, and many more. The lead single “Slide” was a global hit, topped charts in several countries, and has been nominated for a Grammy award.
“Starboy” by The Weeknd
The Weeknd’s Funk-tinged album “Starboy” topped many “Best of 2017” lists. The highly-anticipated album features several big name producers, including Daft Punk, and is full of catchy hooks and slick production. “Starboy” is the perfect album for getting your groove on, and it’s sure to get your booty shaking.
Best Funk Artists of 2017
If you’re a fan of good old-fashioned funk, then you’re in luck. This year has seen a resurgence in the popularity of funk music, and there are plenty of great artists making some incredible funk tunes. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best funk artists of 2017.
Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars is a multi-talented musician, singer, and songwriter who has taken the world by storm. He has released several chart-topping singles, such as “Uptown Funk” and “That’s What I Like”, and has sold over 100 million records worldwide. Mars is known for his catchy hooks, soulful voice, and impeccable dance moves, which have earned him comparisons to the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson. If you’re looking for some funktastic tunes to get your groove on to, look no further than Bruno Mars!
Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of funk, but with his latest album, Man of the Woods, he’s injected the genre with a new lease on life. Timberlake has always been a master of hybrids, and on this album he blends funk with country, pop, and R&B to create a sound that’s all his own. It’s a departure from his previous work, but it’s clear that Timberlake is still the king of crossover appeal.
Calvin Harris
Calvin Harris is a Scottish DJ, record producer, singer, and songwriter. His debut studio album I Created Disco was released in June 2007. Its singles “Acceptable in the 80s” and “The Girls” peaked at numbers ten and three on the UK Singles Chart respectively. His second studio album, Ready for the Weekend (2009), reached number one in the UK and produced the singles “I’m Not Alone”, “Ready for the Weekend”, “Flashback”, and “Bounce”. Harris’s third studio album, 18 Months (2012), featured the singles “Let’s Go”, “Sweet Nothing”, and “I Need Your Love”, which peaked at numbers two, nine, and three on the UK Singles Chart respectively.
In October 2014, he became the first artist to place three songs simultaneously on the top 10 of Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart with “Blame” featuring John Newman at number one; “Outside” featuring Ellie Goulding at number seven; and his single with Dillon Francis, “What’s Your Name,” at number 10. He released his fourth studio album Motion in November 2014. It debuted at number two in the UK and at number five in the US. The first three singles from Motion peaked within the top ten in both countries: firstly Harris’s collaboration with Gwen Stefani, “Together”, which entered at number three in both countries; secondly Harris’s team-up with Big Sean on “‘Open Wide'”; Thirdly Dizzee Rascal collaboration,’ Hype.” A fourth single from Motion entitled “‘Slow Acid'” was also released.’
Harris has also collaborated with Rihanna on several hit tracks including”‘We Found Love'”,”Where Have You Been”,”This Is What You Came For”.
The Weeknd
The Weeknd, real name Abel Tesfaye, is a Canadian singer-songwriter who first hit the mainstream with his trilogy of mixtapes released between 2011 and 2013. These mixtapes, House of Balloons, Thursday and Echoes of Silence, were later remastered and rereleased as part of The Weeknd’s debut studio album Kiss Land (2013). This album – as well as follow-ups Beauty Behind the Madness (2015) and Starboy (2016) – have seen The Weeknd become one of the world’s biggest and most successful recording artists.
