" We Want the FUNK"
It seems that the word " funk" has become integrated into our everyday vocabulary; you see a girl with a strange looking hat and you say, " Hey, that's funky!". Perhaps, to find out why we use the word the way we do, we can look at the musical genre for some answers.
Like most slang, the word " funk" was most often used to describe a nasty smell, and especially applied to the smell of post-coital activities; in other words it was a word not to be used casually(wikipedia). That this word would be applied to the music of James Brown, Herby Hancock, Prince, The Parliament Funkadelics, Earth Wind and Fire, Tower of Power, and many more, suggest that their is something inherently in the music that is unapologetic and nitty gritty.
First, let's establish what funk is. At the heart of Funk is a rhythm section; drums and bass keep the band together and the songs almost always emphasis beat number one. Having the rhythm section concentrating on the one creates a very driven song, unlike the music's predecessors, especially soul and r&b, that emphasized back beats. Funk also usually utilizes electric guitars and frequently applies a horn section.
The general formula for funk, at least to me, is that you set up a formula, lulling the listener into a groove. The musicians are always relying on a faithful drumbeat and bass line that will outline the form of the song; also, the guitars or keyboards will pick a simple riff and repeat the heck out of it so that the listener and the music become aligned- It is nearly impossible for someone listening to funk to keep from dancing, or at least their toes from tapping. Once this groove is established, however, a bed of unexpected things always seem to crop up. Horn hits, strange rapping, unexpected synthesizer contributions, and more create a level of surprise that keep the music fresh, no matter how long the riff is going. I have been to a few George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic concerts, and its not uncommon for each song to last more than 20 minutes, that's what is called " P- Funk". Funk is unapologetic in its high level of energy and subject matter. Many songs are about enjoying all aspects of life, and not being sorry for it, and, there tends to be a trend that funk songs talk about, well, the funk.. The Funk is a primal force, its about movement and freedom. So, why and how did funk come to be?
James Brown is usually considered to be one of the main founding fathers of the funk. When thinking about the implications of this driving and in your face music, it is important to put the movement in historical context. Jame's Brown was born in the early thirties and therefor part of segregated America. In the origins of the Funk, as primarily an African American genre, could very well be a reaction to feelings of oppression. Funk originated in the late 1960's, around the time of Martin Luther King Jr., March to Washington- people were fed up. Funk celebrates freedom and the music was often ornamented with unusual dress and energetic dance moves. Perhaps, Funk was a temporary release from the pressures of being a person of color in America at this time.
Funk has evolved greatly since its origins with James Brown and has influenced nearly all other musical genres. Elements of Funk can be found in rock groups like The Red Hot Chili Peppers, pop musicians like Justin Timberake, and hip-hop artist like Out Kast. Funk has a special way of putting a smile on a crowds face, and even though we haven't seen the likes of Sly and the Family Stone in awhile, chances of the genre dying out are slim.