The foundations of funk were laid down in the mid-1960s, when James Brown began to emphasize the first beat of each measure in his stage-tested and frenzy-inducing R&B songs. Before the decade’s end, ...

“Superstition” by Wonder is one of the greatest funk songs ever. Released in 1972, it has an unforgettable groove, catchy rhythm, and energetic vibe. The funky clavinet riff is instantly recognizable.

As funk music evolved in 1969, the genre continued its blend of R&B, soul, jazz, and blues. But instead of emphasizing chord changes and melody, funk accentuated heavily syncopated beats and rhythmic ...

(ThyBlackMan.com) Few R&B groups embodied the late ’70s blend of funk, disco, and soul quite like Heatwave. Formed in the mid-1970s, the group became internationally known for their infectious grooves ...

(ThyBlackMan.com) The Gap Band, composed of brothers Charlie, Ronnie, and Robert Wilson, left an indelible mark on funk, R&B, and soul. Known for their electrifying stage presence and infectious ...

At a time when Black contributions to American history and culture face keep getting erased, independent art stands as a vital act of resistance and remembrance. We Want the Funk! is a vibrant ...

The syncopated story of funk music, from its roots to the explosion of '70s urban funk and beyond. WE WANT THE FUNK! is a syncopated voyage through the history of funk music, spanning from African, ...

The Song That Changed My Life is a segment that gives us the chance to talk with some of our favorite artists about the music that made them who they are today. This time around we're joined by ...

Funk allowed Black musicians and their audiences to shapeshift and speak truth to power—even while speaking in tongues. But as Stanley Nelson and Nicole London’s documentary WE WANT THE FUNK! reveals, ...

This is funk gospel according to the Staples family, with a reggae bass line lifted from “Liquidator” by The Harry J. All Stars. The place Mavis describes could be anywhere, a church, a community, a ...