The term funk is not part of the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ). The word, in any case, is used to refer to a musical genre that emerged in the 1960s from the fusion developed by African-American artists of soul , R&B , jazz and Latin music .
Funk songs give prominence to electric bass and percussion . They usually repeat a section or figure over a single chord, interweaving rhythms. James Brown , George Clinton , Sly Stone , Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley are some of the singers and musicians considered pioneers of funk, whose peak occurred in the '70s .
Just as funk was created from the combination of various styles , over the years it also gave rise to various subgenres, such as funk metal , funk rock and punk funk . Jane's Addiction , Faith No More , Red Hot Chili Peppers , Rage Against the Machine and Living Color are some of the groups that developed variants of funk.
Nowadays, funk is usually understood as a genre close to rock that can be danced to. Beyond the difficulties in establishing precisely what characteristics define a musical genre, funk is usually considered to respect the 4/4 time signature (four by four) and the downbeat (the accentuation of the first beat of the measure), although there are also backbeat themes (with accent on the second and fourth beats).
In addition to everything stated above, we cannot overlook another series of interesting facts about funk, among which we can highlight the following:
-We can establish that the history of this musical genre is divided into two very different parts: From 1960 to 1980, in which it was born, developed and consolidated, and from 1980 to the present day, a phase in which different genres have grown. subgenres within it.
-Among the musical instruments that are essential to create and play funk are the electric bass, the electric guitar, the drums and the Hammond organ. However, sometimes, the use of trumpet or saxophone is also used.
Among the most important artists in history who have become funk icons we can highlight some such as:
-The American singer James Brown (1933 – 2006), who is considered one of the hundred best artists in the history of music in general. He is considered to be the true creator of funk and his recording works include “In the jungle groove” (1986), “Live at the Apollo” (1963) and “Star Time” (1991).
-Jamiroquai is a group of British origin that started in 1992 and whose leader is Jason Kay. It is considered a key band within the most recent funk.
-The American band Red Hot Chili Peppers, which was formed in the 1980s and whose current leader is Anthony Kiedis.
It should be noted that even funk was transferred, in a certain way, to the plastic arts. The so-called funk art is committed to the mixture of techniques and materials, inspired by the passion and sensuality of musical funk.