[Western Music] Tracing the Roots of Funk: Essential Albums Beginners Should Hear at Least Once
This may be sudden, but are you familiar with the music genre called “funk”? Even if you aren’t, you’ve probably heard the word “funky” in everyday life.
As a music genre, funk took shape in the 1960s and reached its peak from the 1970s onward, when many popular bands released hit funk tracks.
Funk music has had a major influence on later generations—modern hip-hop artists still love sampling songs from that era.
In this article, especially for beginners, we’ll introduce must-listen classic funk albums to get you started!
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[Western Music] Tracing the Roots of Funk: Must-Listen Classic Albums for Beginners (51–60)
I’ll Take You ThereThe Staple Singers
It’s a Billboard No.
1 song by the soul-gospel family band The Staple Singers.
The 1991 cover version by BeBe & CeCe Winans was also a major hit, featuring Mavis Staples herself as a guest artist.
Play That Funky MusicWild Cherry
The song, created by vocalist and guitarist Rob Parissi, reached No.
1 on the Billboard chart in 1976.
In 1990, American rapper Vanilla Ice released a similarly titled inspiration song as the A-side to “Ice Ice Baby.” This led to a copyright infringement lawsuit by Rob Parissi, resulting in Vanilla Ice paying $500,000.
One Nation Under A GrooveFunkadelic
It was the biggest hit by the American funk-rock band Funkadelic and the band’s only million-selling single.
It has also been selected for Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Got To Give It UpMarvin Gaye
A 1977 song by the American artist Marvin Gaye, who is said to have greatly influenced Michael Jackson.
It reached No.
1 on three Billboard charts and became a worldwide hit.
The track is included on the album “Live at the London Palladium.”
Doo Wa Ditty Blow That ThingZapp
Zapp is one of the funk bands that represent Ohio.
This track likely had a major influence on the G-funk hip-hop sound that became popular on the West Coast in the early ’90s.
As a song that could be called a cornerstone of hip-hop, it’s one that fans of Black music should definitely hear.