Funk Music and Fashion Afros

The Funk Music and Fashion Afros blog is dedicated to celebrating the unique African-American cultural phenomenon known as “The Funk.”

Funk Music and the Origins of Afros

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, a new type of music called funk began to emerge from the African-American community. This music was a departure from the previous style of African-American music, which was based on blues and jazz. Funk was a more stripped-down, raw style of music that was based on the rhythmic groove. The fashion of the time also reflected this change, with Afros becoming a popular hairstyle among African-Americans.

The 1960s: The Birth of Funk and the Rise of the Afro

In the early 1960s, a new style of African American music was born in the US. This style would come to be known as funk. Funk is a genre of music that is characterized by its heavy groove and often sexual lyrics. The earliest funk songs were often based on R&B or blues chord progressions, but they had a unique sound that was created by the use of call-and-response vocals, extended guitar solos, and rhythms that were themselves heavily grooving.

The rise of funk coincided with the rise of another phenomenon: the Afro. The Afro is a hairstyle that became popular among African Americans in the 1960s. It is characterized by its large, round shape and its tight curls. The Afro became an emblem of black pride and a symbol of resistance to white beauty standards.

Funk and the Afro are both products of the 1960s, but they have continued to be significant in the decades since. Funk has remained popular, with artists such as Parliament-Funkadelic, James Brown, and Prince keeping the genre alive. The Afro has also made several comebacks, most recently in the form of “natural” hairstyles worn by celebrities like Solange Knowles and Lupita Nyong’o.

The 1970s: The Golden Age of Funk and the Afro

The 1970s was the golden age of funk music, and it was also the decade when the afro hairstyle became hugely popular. Afros were worn by black athletes, entertainers, and activists, as well as by white people who wanted to show their solidarity with the black power movement. The afro was a symbol of pride and defiance, and it helped to define an entire generation.

Funk music was born in the late 1960s, when African American musicians started experimenting with new sounds and styles. James Brown was one of the first funk pioneers, and his legendary live performances were showcases for the style’s explosive energy and infectious grooves. Funk bands like Parliament-Funkadelic and Sly and the Family Stone soon followed, creating a new kind of music that was raw, funky, and totally unique.

The popularity of funk music coincided with the rise of the black power movement, which was sweeping across America in the early 1970s. Black activists were demanding an end to racism and discrimination, and they saw funk music as a way to spread their message. Funk songs often had political lyrics, and many artists used their platform to speak out against injustice.

The afro became a symbol of black pride during this time, as more and more people began wearing their hair natural. The style was embraced by everyone from athletes to entertainers to political leaders, and it came to represent a new chapter in American history. The afro is still iconic today, and it continues to be synonymous with funk music and the spirit of the 1970s.

Funk Music and Fashion Today

Funk music and fashion have both been making a comeback in recent years. Funk music is a style of music that originated in the mid-1960s. It is a style of music that is characterized by a strong bassline and drums. The term “funk” can also refer to a style of dance that is associated with the music. Afros are a type of hairstyle that was popular in the 1970s. They are characterized by their large, round shape.

The 2010s: The Resurgence of Funk and the Afro

The 2010s saw the resurgence of funk music and fashion afros. Funk music, which originated in the late 1960s and early 1970s, is a genre of music that is characterized by a groove-oriented sound. Afros, which are hairstyles that feature thick, curly hair, became popular in the United States during the 1970s as a symbol of black pride. In recent years, afros have made a comeback as a fashion statement among young people of all races.

Funk Music and Fashion Today

Funk music and fashion have been interlinked since the genre’s inception in the early 1970s. Funk is a style of music that is often described as soulful and danceable, with a focus on groove and rhythm. The fashion associated with funk is also often soulful and danceable, with a focus on Afrocentricity and bold self-expression.

The two industries have continued to cross-pollinate in the decades since funk’s beginnings. Many of the most iconic funk songs have been turned into fashion statements, and many of the most popular fashion trends have been informed by funk music. Here are just a few examples of how funk music and fashion have intersected over the years.

One of the most iconic examples of how funk music has influenced fashion is the afro. This hairstyle became popular in the 1970s as a way for black people to embrace their natural hair texture and celebrate their African heritage. The afro was further popularized by many famous funk musicians, including James Brown, George Clinton, and Sly Stone. The afro remains a popular hairstyle today, both in the black community and beyond.

Funk music has also had a lasting impact on runway fashion. In 2016, Marc Jacobs sent models down the runway wearing Afros, sparking a major trend in the fashion industry. This was just one example of how Marc Jacobs has used his platform to showcase African-inspired styles (he has also featured dashikis and kente cloth on his runways). Other designers, such as Kerby Jean-Raymond of Pyer Moss, have followed suit, using their collections to celebrate black culture and promote Afrocentric beauty standards.

Of course, it’s not just high-end designers who have been influenced by funk music. Streetwear brands like Supreme and Off-White often incorporate elements of hip hop and R&B into their designs, giving them a distinctly urban edge. This marriage of streetwear and high fashion is sometimes known as “ghetto couture,” and it would not be possible without the influence of genres like funk.

It’s clear that funk music has had a lasting impact on both fashion and pop culture at large. As we enter into a new decade, it will be interesting to see how these two industries continue to intersect