Funk Music
There are so many different kinds of music throughout the world, even in this country alone. There’s rock and roll, hip hop, R&B, rap, soul, and many more. One of the most fascinating kinds of music that you might not be aware of is funk.
There’s no real definition of funk, but here’s how one person described it: funk = a stew of jazz + blues + rock and roll + soul with a little gospel, hip hop, reggae and latin added for spice (sometimes) with a message. That’s quite a definition with a lot of elements combined, but it seems to be the most fitting.
The sounds of funk began emerging in the 1960’s. It was a sign of the times. The 60’s were a revolutionary era with a very unsettled feel. It was then that the Vietnam War was being fought, and black leaders were pushing the idea of civil rights. People across the nation were aware and involved in the protests to allow rights to every person regardless of color. This explosive environment is what musicians of the time were experiencing, and what they ended up expressing in their music.
To some funk “is the soul of all Black music, past, present and future.” An authority on funk said that “funk is probably the most positive expression that we have had in a long time, not only about our music…but ourselves as a people. Funk epitomizes the successful end to the civil rights struggles of the 1960’s and signaled the dawning of a new beginning for Black folks in the 1970’s.” The upbeat and rich sounds of funk produced a feeling of positive strength, power and humanity in the black community.
The first funk record to be released was called “Outta Sight” by James Brown in 1956. He moved music in the funky direction and soon became known as the “Godfather of Soul.” His music moved people to dance and to listen to his message. Brown had always tried to help blacks. He recorded a song that supported the Black Power movement called “Say It Loud (I’m Black And I’m Proud)”. The song became very popular in the Black Power movement. It was an anthem that showed black pride and defiance.
Funk is special, because it defines an era and a culture. It’s a piece of history that can be listened to over and over again and sound just as good as the day is was recorded. Some other famous funk artists are P-Funk with George Clinton, The Meters, War, and Earth, Wind & Fire. If you get the chance, take a listen to some of them. It will broaden your horizons to new music, and will fill your soul with funk.
