The Evolution of Funk Music: Matthew Brown

Join us as we explore the origins and evolution of funk music with Matthew Brown, author of The Funk Revolution.

Origins of Funk Music

Funk is a genre of music that originated in the African-American community in the mid-1960s. It is a style of music that is characterized by a strong bass line and percussion. Funk music is often Danceable and has a groovy feel to it. The origin of the word funk is unknown, but it is thought to be derived from the French word for smoke, “fumee.”

The Funk Brothers

Funk is a style of music that was created by African Americans in the mid-1960s. It is characterized by a strong, driving beat and a heavy emphasis on bass and percussion. Funk songs often have a catchy hook or riff that is repeated throughout the song.

The term “funk” was first used to describe this type of music in 1967, when James Brown released his song “Cold Sweat.” Brown’s band, The Famous Flames, were pioneers of funk music, and their bass player, Bootsy Collins, would go on to become one of the most influential funk musicians of all time.

Other early funk bands include Parliament-Funkadelic and The Meters. These groups took the basic elements of funk and expanded upon them, adding elements of psychedelic rock and R&B. They also began to experiment with longer song structures and extended instrumental solos.

Today, funk is enjoyed by listeners all over the world. Its heavy groove has been adopted by many different genres of music, including hip hop, house, and even classical.

James Brown

James Brown, often referred to as the “Godfather of Soul”, was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, musician, record producer and bandleader. A major figure in the development of funk music and a major influence on the development of hip hop music, Brown was one of the first black musicians to achieve mainstream success in the early 1960s with songs such as “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” and “I Got You (I Feel Good)”. Brown’s success continued throughout the decade with hits such as “Cold Sweat”, “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” and “The Payback”. He is often credited as the creator of funk music.

Brown began his career as a gospel singer in Toccoa, Georgia. He joined an R&B vocal group called the Famous Flames in 1953, which had already scored a hit single with “Please, Please, Please”. Brown’s energy and dance moves led to him becoming the lead singer of the group, which released its first album in 1956. The group had several hit singles over the next few years including “I’ll Go Crazy”, “Try Me” and “(Can You) Feel It?”.

In 1964, Brown released his debut solo album, Out of Sight. It included the hit single “Out of Sight”, which reached number two on the Billboard R&B chart. The album also included the singles “Prisoner of Love” and “Baby You’re Right”, which were both Top 10 hits on the R&B chart. Out of Sight was followed by Live at the Apollo in 1965, which was recorded live at Harlem’s Apollo Theater. The album was a critical and commercial success, reaching number two on the Billboard 200 album chart and number one on the R&B chart. It included Brown’s signature song “Tell Me What I Did Wrong”.

Following Live at the Apollo, Brown had a string of successful albums including I Got You (I Feel Good) (1966), It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World (1966), Cold Sweat (1967), Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud (1968) and Ain’t It Funky Now (1969). In 1970, he released The Payback/Hell: Same Sessions – Dual Albums Packaged Together as One CD for Release Outside North America , which featured his hit single “The Payback”. He also released Sex Machine in 1970, which reached number two on both the pop and R&B charts.

In 1971, James Brown was arrested for allegedly assaulting police officers following a high-speed car chase through Georgia. He was found guilty on three counts of misdemeanor assault and battery and served six-and-a-half years in prison. Upon his release from prison, he recorded Black Caesar (1973), one of his most successful albums. He continued to release successful albums throughout the 1970s including Reality (1974), Get Up Offa That Thing (1976)and Bodyheat (1976).

In 1980s James Brown returned to prison for violating probation stemming from another assault charge. However, he continued to release new music while incarcerated including The prisons been good 2 me…Now Im back 4 more(1982). Upon his release from prison he recordedStatic(1986 )andI’m Real(1988 ), which were both commercial successes.. In 1989 he collaborated with rap groupPublic Enemyon their song”Give Nation Backhip hop landscape

The Funk Sound

Funk originated in the mid-1960s as a rhythm and blues style that emphasized the groove. The style was developed by African American musicians such as James Brown and Sly Stone. Funk songs typically have a strong beat, often created by a drum machine, and a repeating bass line. The lyrics often have a positive or humorous message.

The Funkadelics

The Funkadelics were a groundbreaking band that helped to define the sound of funk music. Emerging in the late 1960s, the group blended elements of Psychedelia, Soul, and R&B to create a unique and influential sound. The band’s best-known hits include “One Nation Under a Groove” and “Standing on the Verge of Getting It On”.

Although they were not commercially successful during their initial run, the Funkadelics were hugely influential on later generations of musicians. Their stripped-down, groove-heavy sound would go on to be adopted by countless Hip Hop and dance music artists in the 1980s and 1990s. Today, the band is considered to be one of the most important innovators in funk history.

Parliament-Funkadelic

Formed in the 1960s, Parliament-Funkadelic is often cited as one of the most influential groups in funk music. The group was led by George Clinton, and featured a rotating cast of musicians that included Bootsy Collins and Bernie Worrell. Parliament-Funkadelic pioneered the use of electronic instruments in funk music, and their elaborate stage shows influenced subsequent generations of performers.

The Funk Era

Funk music originated in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It is a genre of music that is characterized by a strong bass line, funky drums, and guitar riffs. The music is often times sexually charged and has a groove that is easy to dance to. Funk was created by African American musicians who were influenced by the music of their cultures, such as blues, jazz, and soul.

George Clinton

George Clinton is considered by many to be the grandfather of funk music. His career began in the doo-wop era as a member of The Parliaments. In the 1960s, he and bandmate Calvin Simon formed Funkadelic, a psychedelic rock band that became known for their wild stage shows and innovative sound.

In the 1970s, Clinton forged a solo career with his group Parliament-Funkadelic, which found massive success with hits like “Flash Light” and “Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker).” Clinton’s influence can be heard in the work of subsequent funk artists like Bootsy Collins and Prince.

Bootsy Collins

Bootsy Collins is a living legend in the world of funk music. He’s been making hits for over four decades, and his influence can be heard in the work of countless other artists.

Collins got his start in the early 1970s, playing bass with James Brown. He quickly developed a reputation as a master of the groove, and he soon began working with other top funk acts like George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic. In the 1980s, he launched his own solo career, and he’s been touring and recording ever since.

Collins is known for his distinctive bass playing, but he’s also an accomplished vocalist and songwriter. He’s won two Grammy Awards, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. Today, at 67 years old, he shows no signs of slowing down.

The New Wave of Funk

Funk music has been around since the 1940s, but it has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years. Artists like Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar, andChildish Gambino have all incorporated elements of funk into their music. There are a few reasons for this funk renaissance. First, there is a new generation of musicians who are interested in exploring all genres of music. Second, funk is the perfect genre to create a party atmosphere. And finally, funk is a genre that is easy to dance to.

D’Angelo

In the early 1990s, D’Angelo emerged as one of the most important figures in the neo-soul movement. His 1995 debut album, Brown Sugar, was a critical and commercial success, and its mix of slick R&B production and conscious lyrics helped to set the template for the sound of neo-soul. D’Angelo’s follow-up album, Voodoo (2000), was even more successful, cementing his reputation as one of the most talented and innovative musicians of his generation.

D’Angelo’s music is heavily influenced by 1970s funk masters like Parliament-Funkadelic and Sly & the Family Stone. However, he brings a fresh perspective to the genre, infusing his songs with elements of hip-hop, jazz, and traditional R&B. This unique blend of styles has made D’Angelo one of the most influential funk musicians of the last 20 years.

Outkast

Outkast is one of the most influential funk bands of the past 20 years. Formed in 1992 by André 3000 and Big Boi, Outkast was one of the first bands to successfully blend elements of hip hop, soul, and funk into a cohesive and infectious sound. Over the course of their career, Outkast has released six studio albums, each of which has been met with critical and commercial acclaim. They are perhaps best known for their hits “Hey Ya!” and “Ms. Jackson,” but their catalog is full of timeless funk classics.

Outkast’s pioneering sound has inspired a new generation of funk bands, who are carrying the torch for the genre in the 21st century. Some of these newer bands, like Vulfpeck and Lettuce, are keeping the classic funk sound alive, while others, like D’Angelo and Janelle Monáe, are putting their own modern spin on the genre. No matter what style they’re playing, these new wave funk bands are ensuring that funk is here to stay.

The Future of Funk

Funk music has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the 1970s. What started out as a subgenre of soul and disco has now become a global phenomenon, with artists like Bruno Mars and Jamiroquai bringing the sound to a new generation of fans. But where does funk music go from here? In this article, we’ll take a look at the future of funk and where the sound is headed.

Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar is one of the most popular rappers in the world and he has been credited with helping to bring Funk music back into the mainstream. Lamar’s style is a mix of old-school Funk, contemporary Hip Hop, and his own unique twist. He has said that he is a big fan of Parliament-Funkadelic and that they have been a big influence on his music.

Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe is an American singer, songwriter, producer, and actress. She is signed to Bad Boy Records and Atlantic Records. Monáe has released three studio albums, The ArchAndroid, Electric Lady, and Dirty Computer. All three albums received critical acclaim and commercial success. The ArchAndroid was nominated for five Grammy Awards, including Best Contemporary Album and Album of the Year. Electric Lady was nominated for two Grammy Awards, including Best Urban Contemporary Album. Dirty Computer was nominated for four Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Best Music Video.

Monáe is known for her eclectic style and her futuristic concepts. Her music has been described as a mixture of R&B, soul, hip-hop, pop, rock, funk, and electronica. Monáe has been credited as a pioneer of the “new nu-soul” sound. She has also been compared to artists such as Prince, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and Outkast.