Funk is the last genre of original live music. As hip-hop is now the essence of pop-culture, it is unquestionably a child of funk. Quincy Jones spoke of hip-hop being derived from be-bop when he released his album Back on the Block. It’s amazing how many titles and categories have been used to describe Black Music. Jazz, Blues, Gospel, Ragtime, Soul – The late Jerry Wexler summed it all up as R&B, Rhythm and Blues, it’s all Black Music. Post Be-Bop and Pre Hip-Hop is Funk.
From “The Godfather of Soul” James Brown to the under-rated and best kept secret in music Van Hunt, is a plethora of FUNK! Rick James is the “King of Funk and Roll,” while Prince is the ultimate innovator. Other pioneers and those that epitomize the art form include: George Clinton, William “Bootsy” Collins, Sylvester “Sly Stone” Stewart, Larry Graham, Chaka Khan, Cameo, The Brothers Johnson, LaBelle, Jimmy Castor, The Ohio Players, Slave, The Bar-Kays, Con FunkShun and The Blackbyrds, just to name a few.
As Funk Is Forever, please trust that I’ll be discussing and expounding on several musicians, icons and luminaries that define it, until later…
Peace
c-dub
