The Best Funk Guitarists in Music Today
Here are 10 of the best funk guitarists in music today. These artists keep the funk alive and continue to push the boundaries of the genre.
George Clinton
George Clinton is considered by many to be one of the best funk guitarists in music today. Clinton was born in North Carolina and began his musical career in the 1950s as a member of the doo-wop group The Parliaments. In the 1960s, Clinton formed the psychedelic rock band Parliament-Funkadelic, which became known for its innovative blend of funk, rock, and soul.
Clinton has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, once as a member of Parliament-Funkadelic and once as a solo artist. He has also been nominated for Grammys, and he won a Grammy in 1997 for his work on the soundtrack to the film Men in Black.
Bootsy Collins
Bootsy Collins (born October 26, 1951) is an American musician and singer-songwriter. Collins is a member of Parliament-Funkadelic and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 with fifteen other members of the band. He is hailed as one of the greatest bass guitarists of all time.
Prince
There’s no denying that Prince was one of the most talented and groundbreaking musicians of our generation. He was a master of many genres, but he truly shone when he was playing Funk. His style was unique and instantly recognizable, and he inspired a whole new generation of funk guitarists.
Today, there are many incredible funk guitarists carrying on Prince’s legacy. Here are just a few of the best funk guitarists in music today.
1. Lyle Workman
Lyle Workman is a highly sought-after session guitarist who has played with some of the biggest names in the business, including Beck, Sting, and The Grateful Dead. He has a unique style that incorporates elements of funk, rock, and jazz, and he always brings the groove.
2. Charlie Hunter
Charlie Hunter is a true original who pioneered the use of seven- and eight-string guitars in jazz and funk settings. He has released 20 albums as a leader, and his playing is both soulful and virtuosic. If you’re looking for funky guitar goodness, Charlie Hunter is your man.
3. Bill Frisell
Bill Frisell is one of the most respected jazz guitarists of our time, but he’s also no stranger to funkiness. He has worked with everyone from Marianne Faithfull to Elvis Costello, and his playing is always inventive and groove-oriented. If you’re a fan of funky jazz guitar, Frisell is definitely worth checking out.
Nile Rodgers
Nile Rodgers is a legendary figure in the world of funk music. As the co-founder of Chic, he helped to pioneer a new style of dance-oriented disco that would dominate the charts in the late 1970s. Rodgers’ guitar playing was a major part of Chic’s sound, and he has since gone on to work with some of the biggest names in pop music, including David Bowie, Madonna, Duran Duran, and more.
Rodgers’ style is based on a solid foundation of funk rhythms, but he often incorporates elements of jazz, rock, and pop into his playing. He is also a master of improvisation, and his solos are always interesting and unexpected. If you’re looking for a funk guitarist who can also bring a little bit of something else to the table, Nile Rodgers is the man for you.
D’Angelo
D’Angelo rose to fame in the mid-’90s with his debut album, Brown Sugar, which established him as one of the most promising R&B artists of his generation. Since then, he has released two more studio albums, Voodoo and BlackMessiah, both of which have been met with critical acclaim. A talented singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, D’Angelo is also one of the best funk guitarists in music today. He draws heavily from ’70s Funk icons like Parliament-Funkadelic and Bootsy Collins, infusing their style with a modern sensibility. If you’re looking for some funk guitar inspiration, D’Angelo is a great place to start.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
If there’s one band that can lay claim to being the most successful funk outfit of all time, it’s the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The group’s combination of punk attitude and infectious grooves has won them legions of fans all over the world, and they show no signs of slowing down any time soon.
While all of the Chili Peppers are talented musicians, it’s guitarist John Frusciante who really helps to drive the band’s sound. His use of effects and unconventional phrasing give the Chili Peppers their signature funk sound, and he’s also an underrated singer in his own right. If you’re looking for a modern Funk guitarist to listen to, Frusciante is a great place to start.
