Why'd They Stop the Funk?

If there is one thing that keeps people together, its music. The 20th century saw an increase in popular music and its rapid spread through radio and television. White America began to integrate the African-American sounds from the day such as ragtime, jazz, rhythm and blues and doo-wop. Motown allowed a large number of African-Americans to orchestrate music and create records which led to pioneering sounds in music that would influence later decades. It wasn't until the 1960's however where African-American soul music would soar. It was also during these times where a new genre would emerge from this era that would change the landscape of music culture and that was the Funk.

Most credit for the birth  of funk can be given to James Brown. The sound of funk was different then other genres at the time because the beat had a unique groove. Evidently, this sound was enjoyed and most identified with lower class urban African-Americans. Funk was also associated with the black power movements in the 60's and 70's as well which gave it a powerful image. This unique sound had transformed the 60's from the old soul, jazz and gospel sounds to a more Afrocentric upbeat style of culture.

As the Funk grew so did its style and sound. Bootsy Collins who was a bassist for James Brown separated from Brown and ultimately ended up in the Parliament-Funkadelic group with funk master George Clinton. This group which formed in the 70's revolutionized the genre and gave it an Afro-futuristic upgrade. George Clinton moved away from the traditional band uniform (suits and ties) and drew influence from rock and roll bands and there outrageous looks. The groove became deeper as Bootsy and George experimented with unique sounds in which they created, the P-funk.

By the late 1970's, funk culture was already at its full bloom. Stevie Wonder, the Jackson's, Earth, Wind and Fire and others helped put funk on the charts. However, there was a new movement which would both help and harm the funk. Hip-Hop and rap was emerging and already becoming a rapidly increasing sound well into the 80's. Early hip-hop artists like Sugar Hill Gang, Grandmaster Flash and Kurtis Blow utilized Funk and changed the vocal aspect of the sound giving it a hip new groove. Hip-Hop would carry funk well into the 90's with the help of a new sound called New Jack Swing. Well into the 90's, rap artist sampled old school records which would persevere the funk culture and sound. Dr. Dre, Tupac and other mainline rap artist would loop these records and provide a more modern hip-hop beat to the sample.

Heading into the 2000's however, funk saw less popularity in mainstream music as pop and rap transformed into its on sound. Gangster and thug rap was well taking over the hip-hop industry which led to a decline in the funkier sounds rap provided. Even today we hear less about the genre, but the music will still continue to influence and transform American pop culture.