Hello
I am a big fan of funk music.

That includes raw, pure funk, to music with funk influence.
Everything from James Brown, Prince and George Clinton to funk/hip hop from producers such as DJ Battlecat, DJ Quik, Meech Wells etc.

What I want to ask you all is: What is the future of funk, both in the mainstream and underground.

In 70s and 80s you heard funk influence in lots of music, and actually funk bands were popular, too.

In recent times, you rarely hear funk.
OK, maybe a Justin Timberlake/Timberland track here and there (''If I'', ''Sexy Ladies'')

Do you think funk will make a big revival?

If you know of any good, current funk/funky music, please do post it!

http://prince.org/msg/8/311834

http://prince.org/msg/8/311834

I don't see any big revival. But then again, I don't see it happening with the many flavors of jazz either.

But that doesn't mean that there aren't thousands of talented people who are still producing greatness and thousands more taking delight in the weaving of these sounds into a coat of many colors.

Some folks define "dead" as something which has already reached its zenith.

I think anything short of that strict interpretation will find an overwhelming life force.

Well... depends on how you define funk.

Funk is dead. Funk is something u learn in school.

It does seem to rear its head less and less every day. Nelson George has some really interesting thoughts on this topic in The Death of Rhythm & Blues. * link below

The future of funk is most likely tied to live performances. Prince is as funky as ever. Indigo Nights is loaded with nasty bass from Josh. ...Van Hunt has some funky stuff. ...A cat named Baby Jaymes from the Bay is funky. ...The Truth's live version of Madhouse's TEN is extra funky. Marcus Miller - has a song called "Blast" that is re-dic-o-funky.

I get my dose though mostly from concerts. As a matter of funk - wifey & I are seeing Mint Condition, Eric Benet, and Ledesi later today.

http://www.amazon.com/Dea...0452266971

The problem seems to be that people aren't enough focused with the sounds they are using and their overall approach. Once you start fusing those aspects of the older funk recordings that made them great with some of the contemporary production ideals, it easily gets just watered down. The situation isn't helped at all by many of the artists always insisting on adding a more commercial modern R&B vibe to their stuff - and that includes even some of the old cats like Bootsy. (i.e. We don't need "more bass", we need "bass being played the right way" etc.)

A musical style like funk can only survive if the artists willingly abandon any hopes for having a hit record in today's musical climate, and create the music out of pure enthusiasm and love for the genre. Funk can be fused with other styles of course - even more modern ones - but that's not the issue here. The issue is selling out when there doesn't exist even a realistic audience base to sell it out to.

Like many times stated by the users on this board, the future of funk relies also on international acts. It cannot be focused solely on some US names getting all the recognition - the music itself has spread out everywhere and it is in the hands of those who are the most dedicated to it that it will continue to live on. These people are spread across the globe today.

Good points people Got nothing more to add than a

bobsteezy said:

Thanks dude. Gonna check out all of that, and have a ball at those gigs !
[Edited 7/26/09 3:00am]

"Funk is dead, is what they said, while sitting roun' cheating at pool.
Bags were bagging, and they was dragging, TO ME, they were looking real Kool..."

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Sativa
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420 Funk Mob
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SociaLybrium
Amp Fiddler
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