RAG Musicartist
Lovely artist

Summary of representative Western funk artists and groups

Have you heard of funk, a genre of music that evolved from soul in the 1960s and 1970s?

Many funk songs became huge hits, so you might have listened to some without even realizing they were funk.

This article introduces the essential artists and groups you can’t leave out when talking about funk.

Even today, in the 2020s, many of these artists are active as solo musicians and producers.

By tracing the history of funk, you’ll see how it connects to modern genres like rock, pop, hip-hop, and R&B.

Whether you’re a beginner or looking to dive deeper into the world of funk, be sure to check it out!

Playlist

Summary of representative Western funk artists and groups
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastStretchin’ Out (In a Rubber Band)Bootsy Collins
Stretchin' Out (In a Rubber Band)Bootsy Collinsplay_arrow
Legendary funk bassist Bootsy Collins
2eastLive It Up (Part 1 & 2)The Isley Brothers
Live It Up (Part 1 & 2)The Isley Brothersplay_arrow
The Isley Brothers are pioneers of funk
3eastControversyPrince
ControversyPrinceplay_arrow
A text introducing Prince’s musicality and activities
4eastGet Down On ItKool and The Gang
Get Down On ItKool and The Gangplay_arrow
Kool & The Gang, a popular band that fused funk and pop
5eastOut of SightJames Brown
Out of SightJames Brownplay_arrow
James Brown, founder of funk
6eastThe JamGraham Central Station
The JamGraham Central Stationplay_arrow
Graham Central Station, a legendary funk band
7eastP. Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up)Parliament
P. Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up)Parliamentplay_arrow
Parliament’s funk music and influence
8eastThank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)Sly & The Family Stone
Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)Sly & The Family Stoneplay_arrow
The musical influence of the band led by Sly Stone
9eastI Feel for YouChaka Khan
I Feel for YouChaka Khanplay_arrow
Chaka Khan thrives as the Queen of Funk.
10eastLet’s GrooveEarth, Wind & Fire
Let's GrooveEarth, Wind & Fireplay_arrow
The history and influence of Earth, Wind & Fire
11eastSuper FreakRick James
Super FreakRick Jamesplay_arrow
Rick James's punk-funk
12eastIf I’m In Luck I Might Get Picked UpBetty Davis
If I'm In Luck I Might Get Picked UpBetty Davisplay_arrow
Betty Davis, a pioneer of 1970s funk
13eastTheme from ShaftIsaac Hayes
Theme from ShaftIsaac Hayesplay_arrow
Isaac Hayes is a key figure in the history of funk.
14eastLove RollercoasterOhio Players
Love RollercoasterOhio Playersplay_arrow
The success and influence of the Ohio Players
15eastDance FloorZapp
Dance FloorZappplay_arrow
Zapp are electro-funk pioneers from Ohio.