Funk is a musical style that emerged in Black American communities in the middle of the 1960s. During this time, performers combined numerous musical genres well-liked among African Americans to produce rhythmic music. It downplays melody and chord progressions in favor of a tight rhythmic groove.
The electric bass and drums are the instruments that create the groove. Funky music is frequently at a slower tempo than other popular music genres. Musicians like James Brown and George Clinton influenced many artists of this genre. George Clinton, the vocalist of Parliament-Funkadelic, helped give birth to disco, hip-hop, and even funk metal.
Origin of Funk
The first meaning of the term “funk” was—and still is—a pungent odor. It initially came from the Latin verb “fumigare,” ” meaning “to smoke,” through the Old French verb fungiere. Musicians first used it to describe music in 1620. This word initially insinuated something “musty.” It later evolved to an “earthy” notion in the1900 early jazz slang for something you “deeply or strongly feel.”
During the early days of jamming, musicians would encourage each other to “get down” by saying, “Now, put some stank on it!” Jazz tunes have titles like Funky at least as early as 1907. The first example is an unreleased song by Buddy Bolden, “Funky Butt” or “Buddy Bolden’s Blues.” According to Donald M. Marquis, it has improvised lyrics that could have been “comical and light” or “crude and downright obscene.” However, in one way or another, it appealed to the sweaty environment at dances where Bolden’s band played.
Even in the 1950s and the beginning of the 1960s, when people used “funk” and “funky” to describe jazz music, they still saw the adjectives as impolite and unsuitable for usage in polite company. Earl Palmer, a drummer from New Orleans, “was one of the first to use the word ‘funky’ to describe to other musicians that their music should be made more syncopated and danceable.” James Brown created a distinctive rhythm – playing “on the one” – in the 1960s. This rhythm accentuated the first downbeat of the measure.
Notable Legends
By the late 1960s, there were several devoted bands. These include Parliament Funkadelic, Sly and the Family Stone, and others. Sly and the Family Stone added a psychedelic element to the genre, and George Clinton created P-Funk. P-Funk is a hybrid of psychedelia and an Afro-centric message. This genre reached its height of appeal in the 1970s and 1980s.
With her band Rufus, Chaka Khan became known as the “Queen of Funk.” Rick James also presented “Super Freak,” a significant hit. In 1982, Michael Jackson released the popular album Thriller, featuring the famous song “Billie Jean.” Strong downbeats and bass-heavy rhythms were among the funk-inspired musical aspects many bands adopted.
Jazz musicians Herbie Hancock and Miles Davis were among these acts. Also, Motown’s Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Michael Jackson, as well as R&B’s The Meters, were funk legends. Other notable musicians are The Isley Brothers and Kool and the Gang. This genre significantly influenced Hip-hop music. Hip hop superstars Outkast, whose original co-founder Andre 3000 has always been fascinated with psychedelic funk, have shared the stage alongside the funk trio Cameo. Dr. Dre, a well-known producer, invented the G-Funk genre, which fuses funk beats with gangsta rap.
Characteristics
Funk music’s syncopation, especially in the guitar and bass lines, makes it simple to dance to. Songs like “Sex Machine,” “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” and “Super Freak” use syncopated rhythm guitars. Funk music relies on chords with a lot of vocalization, especially 7th chords and their variations. Such variations are the major and minor 9th chords and 13th chords. These chords frequently occupy several measures when a performer settles into a groove. Bassists like Bootsy Collins of Parliament-Funkadelic, and Larry Graham of Sly and the Family Stone band are among the most influential funk performers.
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