Funk is a musical genre that originated in the United States in the 1960s. It arose from the soul tradition, but with a more prominent beat and influences from rock, R&B, and jazz. In funk music, the bass and drums are usually prominent. Electric guitar, electric organ, and a horn section are all common instruments. This musical style had a long-lasting influence, as evidenced disco music in the 1970s and later hip-hop music. Modern hip-hop tracks frequently sample songs from the 1960s and 1970s.
In funk, the bass line takes center stage, while melody takes a back seat. A single chord is frequently used throughout a song, rather than the chord changes common in earlier forms of music. Because of the emphasis on rhythm, the music was more danceable than blues or R&B.
With hits like “Out of Sight” in 1964, James Brown was one of the early pioneers of the funk genre in the 1960s. In contrast to traditional soul music, his music placed a strong emphasis on the downbeat, or the first beat of each measure. George Clinton revitalized this genre of music in the 1970s incorporating psychedelic rock influences. Parliament and Funkadelic, his two bands, gave birth to a new subgenre known as P-Funk. As the style became more popular, many jazz musicians of the time began to incorporate it into their work.
While funk’s heyday was in the 1970s, its influence on popular music is still felt today. Electronic instruments became more common in funk music in the 1980s, but artists like Rick James and Prince continued the legacy of the P-Funk artists of the 1970s. While this music has always had sexually suggestive lyrics, they became more explicit in the 1980s. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Black Eyed Peas, and Outkast are among the most sampled musicians, and James Brown and Parliament-Funkadelic are among the most sampled musicians.