funk

genresfunkfrom English

An African-American music genre built on syncopated bass lines, tight rhythms, and a heavy groove.‍​‌​‍​‍​‌​‌​‌​‍​‍​‍​‌​‍​‍​‌​‍​‍​‌​‍​‌​‍​‍​‌​‌​‌​‌​‍​‌​‍​‍​‍​‌​‌

In Depth

Funk emerged in the mid-1960s, pioneered by James Brown and his band, who stripped rhythm and blues down to its rhythmic essence.‍​‌​‍​‍​‌​‌​‌​‍​‍​‍​‌​‍​‍​‌​‍​‍​‌​‍​‌​‍​‍​‌​‌​‌​‌​‍​‌​‍​‍​‍​‌​‌ The genre emphasises the first beat of each bar (the one), features syncopated bass and guitar patterns, tight horn arrangements, and a relentless groove that prioritises rhythm over melody and harmony. George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic expanded funk into a cosmic, psychedelic direction. Sly and the Family Stone blended funk with rock and soul. Bootsy Collins, Larry Graham, and Bernard Edwards developed the slap [bass](/term/slap%20bass) technique that became funk's signature sound. Funk rhythms form the foundation of hip-hop, and sampled funk breaks appear in thousands of records.
Did you know?

James Brown's band was so tight that he would fine musicians for playing a wrong note and for being even slightly late on an entrance — precision was everything.

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