Genre Definition
What is Funk music?
Funk is a music genre that originated 1965--present. USA, mid-1960s.
Origin of Funk
USA, mid-1960s. James Brown's band developed the style through relentless rhythmic reduction -- stripping out jazz harmony to foreground the groove. Papa's Got a Brand New Bag (1965) is the conventional starting point. Sly and the Family Stone and George Clinton's Parliament-Funkadelic expanded it into psychedelic territory.
Era: 1965--present
Defining sound of Funk
The downbeat (the one) is emphatically accented. Syncopated bass lines and guitar chicken-scratch picking create interlocking polyrhythmic grooves. Horn stabs punctuate rhythmically. BPM typically 90-120. Groove and danceability are the primary goals.
Essential Funk albums
See all
Dirty Computer
Janelle Monáe
3.7/5
To Pimp A Butterfly
Kendrick Lamar
3.5/5
Voodoo
D'Angelo
4.5/5
What’s Going On: The Detroit Mix
Marvin Gaye
4.5/5
Ventura
Anderson .Paak
3.5/5
Baduizm
Erykah Badu
4.6/5
Black Messiah
D'Angelo and the Vanguard
4.5/5
Malibu
Anderson .Paak
4.5/5
Songs In The Key Of Life
Stevie Wonder
4.5/5
99.9%
KAYTRANADA
4.5/5
Pioneers of Funk
- James Brown
- Sly Stone
- George Clinton
- Bootsy Collins
- Maceo Parker
Key Funk artists
Related genres
Frequently asked questions about Funk
- When did Funk start?
- Funk originated 1965--present. USA, mid-1960s.
- Who invented Funk?
- Funk was pioneered by James Brown, Sly Stone, George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Maceo Parker. USA, mid-1960s. James Brown's band developed the style through relentless rhythmic reduction -- stripping out jazz harmony to foreground the groove. Papa's Got a Brand New Bag (1965) is the conventional starting point. Sly and the Family Stone and George Clinton's Parliament-Funkadelic expanded it into psychedelic territory.
- Is Funk still popular?
- Funk continues to be listened to and has influenced countless artists since its origins. Key contemporary artists in the genre include Prince, Parliament-Funkadelic, Kool and the Gang, Earth Wind and Fire.
- What does Funk sound like?
- The downbeat (the one) is emphatically accented. Syncopated bass lines and guitar chicken-scratch picking create interlocking polyrhythmic grooves. Horn stabs punctuate rhythmically. BPM typically 90-120. Groove and danceability are the primary goals.
- What is the difference between Funk and soul?
- Funk and soul are related genres that share some characteristics but differ in origin, instrumentation, and production approach. See the soul definition page for a full comparison.
Rate Funk albums on Goat Music
Score every album on a 1-100 scale. Build your taste profile. Find listeners like you.