Funk music is characterized by strong rhythmic grooves, prominent basslines, and an infectious danceable feel that originated in the 1960s and 1970s.
Characteristic Instruments
Bass guitar, electric guitar, drums, horns, and keyboards are central to funk’s signature sound.
Dominant Styles
Funk incorporates elements of soul, jazz, and R&B, often featuring syncopated rhythms and tight arrangements.
Top Artists by Era
Classic Era
- James Brown
- Sly & The Family Stone
- Parliament-Funkadelic
- Bootsy Collins
Modern Era
- Prince
- Rick James
- Chic
- Tower of Power
Contemporary
- Bruno Mars
- Lettuce
- Vulfpeck
- Mayer Hawthorne