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.

Funk songs really dominated the radio in the 1970s, and for good reason. Few genres that were popular at the time matched the danceable energy and uplifting lyricism that funk was known for. If you’re ...

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 ...

These iconic lines from the end of Warren G’s 1994 classic “Regulate” serve as a kind of credo for the g funk era. The popular subgenre of gangsta rap was all the rage in the mid-‘90s, and brought a ...

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, ...