Funk Music of the 80s

Looking to get your groove on to some of the best funk music of the 80s? Then check out our blog for all the latest and greatest hits!

Introduction

Funk music of the 80s was a popular genre that was characterized by its heavy use of rhythm and groove. This type of music often featured prominently in movies and television shows set in this era, and it continues to be popular today. Funk music often incorporated elements of other genres such as soul, hip hop, and disco. Many well-known artists such as Prince, Michael Jackson, and Madonna got their start in the funk music scene of the 80s.

The Birth of Funk

Funk music originated in the mid-1960s with James Brown and Sly and the Family Stone. Funk is a style of music that is characterized by a heavy groove and a strong emphasis on the downbeat. The music is often syncopated and has a driving rhythm.

James Brown and the Birth of Funk

James Brown is widely credited with being the Godfather of Soul, but he’s also the man who gave birth to funk. With his danceable grooves and catchy hooks, Brown’s music was the perfect soundtrack for parties and good times. He influenced a generation of musicians, including George Clinton, Parliament-Funkadelic, Bootsy Collins, and Sly Stone.

Funk began to emerge in the late 1960s, when Brown started experimenting with new rhythms and sounds. He took elements of soul, R&B, and jazz and infused them with a heavy dose of groove. The result was a new kind of music that was both danceable and hard-hitting. Brown’s hits “Cold Sweat” and “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” were early examples of funk, and they quickly became party anthems.

Brown continued to innovate throughout the 1970s, incorporating elements of disco and hip-hop into his sound. He also started working with new collaborators like Bootsy Collins, who would go on to become one of the most influential bassists in funk. By the end of the decade, Brown had cemented his reputation as the mastermind behind funk.

Funk continued to evolve in the 1980s, as artists like Prince and George Clinton took the sound in new directions. Bootsy Collins’ group Parliament-Funkadelic became one of the most popular bands of the decade with their psychedelic take on funk. Meanwhile, Prince created his own brand of sexy, danceable funk with hits like “Kiss” and “Purple Rain.”

The legacy of James Brown’s funk can be heard in today’s music. Many modern artists have borrowed from Brown’s style, including Outkast, Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, and Lizzo. Funk remains a popular genre thanks to its ability to get people moving and its positive vibrations.

George Clinton and the Parliament-Funkadelic

Funk is a genre of music that was born in the African-American community in the mid-1960s. It is a mix of soul, R&B, and jazz, with a heavy focus on groove and rhythm. Funk music is characterized by its catchy melodies, syncopated rhythms, and extended improvisation.

In the 1970s, bands like Parliament-Funkadelic and Bootsy’s Rubber Band popularized the genre with their unique blend of R&B, soul, and funk. They began to experiment with new sounds and production techniques, which laid the foundation for what would become known as “punk funk” in the 1980s.

Punk funk is a subgenre of funk that developed in the early 1980s. It is characterized by its aggressive guitar riffs, funky basslines, and Shout outs to graffiti artists. Bands like Fishbone and The Red Hot Chili Peppers helped to popularize punk funk in the mainstream.

Today, funk continues to evolve and be one of the most popular genres of music. Thanks to George Clinton and parliament-Funkadelic, we have this amazing genre of music that has given us some of the catchiest tunes and grooviest beats!

The 80s Funk Scene

Funk music originated in the mid-1960s as a result of the collision of two different musical styles: rhythm and blues and soul. Funk was a new sound that was created by African American musicians who took elements of both styles and blended them together. The result was a new style of music that was raw, earthy, and often subversive.

The Funk of New Jack Swing

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, a new type of funk music emerged that blended the old school sound with contemporary R&B. This new style was called new jack swing and it featured a heavy hip hop influence. Artists like Guy, Teddy Riley, and Kool Moe Dee were at the forefront of this new sound and their music helped to define the decade. If you’re a fan of 80s funk, then you’ll definitely want to check out some of the tracks below.

“Groove Me” by Guy
“My Prerogative” by Bobby Brown
“Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” by James Brown
“Pump Up the Jam “by Technotronic
“Let’s Get It Started “by The Black Eyed Peas

Funk Bands of the 80s

During the 80s, many funk bands emerged and achieved commercial success. Some of the most popular and well-known funk bands of the 80s include:

-Prince and the Revolution
-Rick James and the Stone City Band
-Bar-Kays
-Con Funk Shun
-The Gap Band
-Zapp
-Kool & the Gang
-Lakeside
-Cameo

The Legacy of Funk

Funk music emerged in the mid-1960s as a result of the African-American music traditions of the time. The style is characterized by its unique rhythms and syncopated grooves. Funk music of the 1980s was greatly influenced by the disco music of the time. However, funk music of the 1980s also incorporated elements of synth-pop and rap.

The Influence of Funk in Today’s Music

Funk music originated in the mid-1960s as a blend of soul and R&B. It became popular in the 1970s with bands like Parliament-Funkadelic, and continued to be popular in the 1980s with artists like Prince, Rick James, and Madonna. Today, funk has influenced many different genres of music, including hip-hop, pop, and electronic dance music.

Funk is known for its distinctive groove, which is created by syncopated bass lines and drum patterns. Funk songs often have a call-and-response structure, with the singer or rappers repeating or responding to the lyrics of the other musicians. Funk songs may also feature horn sections and sexually suggestive lyrics.

The influence of funk can be heard in many contemporary pop songs. For example, Justin Timberlake’s “SexyBack” (2006) features a funk-inspired bass line, and Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk” (2014) is a direct homage to classic funk songs like James Brown’s “Sex Machine” (1970) and Parliament’s “Flash Light” (1977). In hip-hop music, funk samples are often used to create a familiar groove for rappers to rhyme over. For example, Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” (2015) features a sample of Funkadelic’s “(Not Just) Knee Deep” (1979), and Chance the Rapper’s “All Night” (2016) samples Steve Arrington’s “Feel So Real” (1985).

As electronic dance music has become more popular in recent years, many producers have incorporated funk elements into their tracks. The Australian duo Chromeo are known for their distinctive blend of disco, funk, and house music. Meanwhile, French producer Justice creates electro tracks with heavy funk bass lines. And American producer Flying Lotus often includes samples from classic funk songs on his albums.

The legacy of funk can also be seen in fashion trends. The popularity of 1970s style clothing has been on the rise in recent years, with many people embracing the funky fashions of that decade.platform shoes, Afro wigs, and brightly colored leisure suits are all making a comeback thanks to the influence of funk music.