The Funk Music in Skating Movies

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

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The connection between funk music and skating movies is a long and storied one. From the early days of skate culture in the 1970s, funk has been a go-to genre for skating scenes. And in recent years, the trend has continued with some iconic skating movies soundtracked by funk classics.

The History of Funk

Funk music started in the late 1960s with James Brown and Sly and the Family Stone. The sound was a mix of African-American music styles such as soul, R&B, and gospel. In the 1970s, funk artists like Parliament-Funkadelic and George Clinton created a new sound that was influenced by electronic music. This new sound became known as “P-Funk” and was very popular in skating movies of the 1980s.

The Birth of Funk

The birth of funk can be traced back to the early 1970s when James Brown’s music began to be sampled by hip hop artists. In particular, his song “Funky Drummer” was used extensively by producers and DJs. This meant that the drumming style associated with funk began to be heard in other genres of music, such as disco, rock and even pop.

Funk is a genre of music that is known for its distinctive groove. This groove is created by the interplay between the rhythm section instruments, typically the drums, bass and guitar. The lead melody is often played by a horn section or keyboard. Funk songs are often built around a strong hook or chorus, which is why they are often very catchy and memorable.

The term “funk” can also be used to describe a style of dance. Funk dancing is usually sensual and erotic, with moves that are designed to be visually appealing as well as practical for dancing close together. It is often compared to other styles of African-American dance such as hip hop and disco.

The Rise of Funk

In the early 1970s, a new style of music emerged from the African American community that would come to be known as funk. This new genre blended elements of soul, R&B, and rock to create a sound that was both catchy and danceable. The popularity of funk quickly spread beyond the black community and soon found its way into the world of skating.

Funk music became popular in skating movies such as “Skatetown USA” (1979) and “Roller Boogie” (1979). The soundtracks of these films featured some of the biggest names in funk, including Parliament-Funkadelic, Bootsy Collins, and Earth, Wind & Fire. The popularity of funk in skating culture continued into the 1980s with films like “Flashdance” (1983) and “Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo” (1984) featuring heavily-funked-up soundtracks.

Today, the influence of funk can still be heard in skating culture, albeit in a more modernized form. Skaters such as Lupe Fiasco, Tyler the Creator, and Kid Cudi often incorporate elements of funk into their music. And while the sound has evolved over the years, the groove remains the same: funky fresh!

The Influence of Funk

Funk music has been a popular genre of music since the 1970s. It has been used in many skating movies and has influenced the skating culture. Funk music is a type of music that is usually fast-paced and has a heavy beat. It is often described as “sexual” or “sensual” music.

The Funk Era

The Funk Era was a time when skating movies began to feature funk music. This was largely due to the influence of skating movies like “Skateboard Madness” and “Skatetown, U.S.A.” which featured funk songs by artists like Parliament and James Brown. The popularity of these movies led to a wave of skating films that featured funk music, including “Animal Chin,” “Back to the Future,” and “The Karate Kid.” This era of skating films is often considered to be the golden age of the genre, and the influence of funk music can still be felt in skating films today.

The Post-Funk Era

The funk era of skating came to an end in the early 1980s with the rise of hip hop. There were a few skating movies that came out during this time that featured funk music, but the post-funk era is generally considered to be from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. This was a time when skateboarding was becoming more technical and skaters were starting to use smaller boards. The style of skating was changing and so was the music. Hip hop became the dominant sound in skating movies during this time.

The Future of Funk

Funk has been a major force in skating ever since the early days. It has been the soundtrack to hundreds of films, videos, and video games. It is the perfect genre for skating, as it is energetic and lively. However, it is not without its detractors. Some people believe that funk is not a true genre of music, and that it is not worthy of being the soundtrack to skating films.

The New Funk Movement

First of all, in case you’re not familiar, funk is a music genre that was popularized in the 1970s. It is characterized by its syncopated beats and often features brass instruments, basslines, and vocals. In recent years, there has been a resurgence in popularity for funk music, particularly in the skating community. This can be seen in the proliferation of skating movies that feature funk tracks on their soundtracks.

One of the most notable examples is the 2016 film “Skate Kitchen”, which tells the story of a group of female skaters in New York City. The film’s soundtrack includes several classic funk tracks, such as Parliament’s “Flash Light” and George Clinton’s “Atomic Dog”. The film’s use of funk music helped to promote the genre to a new generation of listeners and helped to spur on the current funk revival.

This revival has also been aided by the success of newer bands like Vulfpeck and Jungle Fire, who have blended elements of funk with other genres like rock and jazz. As more people become exposed to these newer bands, it is likely that the popularity of funk will continue to grow. In turn, this could lead to more skating movies featuring funk tracks on their soundtracks and helping to keep the genre alive for years to come.

The Funk Revival

In the past few years, funk has made a comeback in popular culture. We’ve seen a resurgence of interest in the genre, with modern artists like Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar, and Childish Gambino incorporating elements of funk into their music. And now, it looks like funk is poised to make a comeback in skating movies.

Funk first gained popularity in the 1970s, with artists like James Brown and Parliament-Funkadelic leading the way. The genre was characterized by its catchy rhythms and soulful melodies, and it quickly became a favorite among skaters. In the 1980s, skating movies like “Breakin’” and “Roller Boogie” featured funk soundtracks, and the genre remained popular in skating culture throughout the decade.

Now, it seems that funk is making a comeback in skating movies once again. The new film “Skate Kitchen” features a soundtrackthat includes classic funk tracks from the likes of Parliament-Funkadelic and Bootsy Collins. And the recently released trailer for “ Dogtown and Z-Boys 2” also features a funky soundtrack, with tracks from George Clinton and Slave.

With its catchy rhythms and soulful melodies, funk is the perfect genre for skating movies. We can’t wait to see more films featuring this great music!

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