The Funky Sounds of 80s Funk Music

Discover the funky sounds of 80s funk music and how it continues to influence contemporary artists today.

Introduction

The 1980s was a decade of great change and transformation – both in the music industry and in the world at large. One of the most significant changes to take place during this time was the rise of digital technology, which had a major impact on the way that music was produced and consumed. This new technology also helped to create a new genre of music known as funk.

Funk is a style of music that emerged in the mid-1970s and reached its peak of popularity in the early 1980s. It is a type of disco that is characterized by its heavy use of rhythm and groove. Funk songs often have a distinctive bass line and are often played on synthesizers or drum machines.

The 80s was the golden age of funk music, with many artists experimenting with different sounds and styles to create their own unique sound. Some of the most popular 80s funk artists include Prince, Michael Jackson, Rick James, Parliament-Funkadelic, and George Clinton. These artists helped to popularize funk music and make it one of the most popular genres of the 80s.

The Birth of Funk

During the early 1970s, there was a musical movement in the United States that came to be known as funk. This new style of music was a fusion of various genres, including soul, R&B, jazz, and rock. Funk songs typically had a driving beat, which was created by thumping bass guitar lines and percussion. The lyrics were often sexually suggestive or rollicking party anthems. And the overall sound was often described as “funky,” hence the name.

Funk first gained widespread popularity in the mid-1970s with hits such as James Brown’s “Sex Machine” and Parliament’s “Flash Light.” But it wasn’t until the early 1980s that funk really reached its commercial peak. This was due in large part to the rise of artists like Prince, who mixed funk with pop sensibilities to create some of the decade’s most iconic songs, like “Purple Rain” and “Kiss.”

While funk might not be as commercially successful today as it was in the 1980s, its influence can still be heard in many modern genres, including hip-hop, electronic dance music, and even some forms of rock.

The Funky Sounds of the 80s

The funky sounds of the 80s were a response to the disco music that dominated the early part of the decade. Funk was a more raw and bass-heavy sound that incorporated elements of soul, R&B, and jazz. The best funk songs of the 80s are a hybrid of all these genres, and they continue to be popular today.

Funk was initially popularized by James Brown and Parliament-Funkadelic in the 1970s. Brown’s style of funk was based on giving the drummer a more prominent role in the sound, and this approach carried over into the 80s with talented drummers like Bernard Wright, Clyde Stubblefield, and Zigaboo Modeliste. The early 80s saw the rise of Prince and Michael Jackson, who took funk to new levels of popularity with songs like “1999” and “Billie Jean.”

Other important 80s funk artists include Rick James, Ohio Players, Maceo Parker, Bootsy Collins, George Clinton, Kool & the Gang, Funkadelic, Morris Day & The Time, LaBelle, DeBarge, Dynasty, Con Funk Shun, Parliament-Funkadelic. These artists created some of the best-known funk songs of all time including “Super Freak,” “Word Up!,” “One Nation Under a Groove,” “Get Down On It,” and “Atomic Dog.”

The Legacy of Funk Music

Funk music first gained mainstream popularity in the 1970s with hits like James Brown’s “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” and Parliament’s “Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker).” But it wasn’t until the 1980s that funk really came into its own, thanks to artists like Prince, George Clinton, and Rick James.

During the 1980s, funk became more polished and pop-oriented, while still retaining its signature groove. Prince was at the forefront of this new sound, fusing R&B, rock, and pop into his own unique style of funk. George Clinton took a more psychedelic approach, infusing his Funkadelic project with elements of acid rock and psychedelic soul. And Rick James brought a harder edge to his brand of funk, combining it with elements of rock and hip-hop.

The 1980s also saw the rise of several important female funk artists, including Chaka Khan, Janet Jackson, Madonna, and Cynthia Johnson. These women helped to broaden the appeal of funk music and bring it to a whole new audience.

The legacy of 80s funk can still be heard in today’s music. Many contemporary artists have been influenced by this genre, including Outkast, Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, and Kendrick Lamar. So if you’re looking for something fun and funky to listen to, you can’t go wrong with 80s funk!