The Best Funk Artists of All Time

There is nothing better in this world then tapping your toes around the orange shag rug in your living room to some grooving and funkified tunes blasting through the stereo at full volume.  During the musical explosion that occurred during the 1960’s and 70’s funk music came to be with one intention – to get your ass a shakin!!

For a brief history on the origins of these grooves I highly suggest taking a sample of the 10 artists listed below.  This is a definitive list of The Best Funk Artist of all Time, within the humble opinions of this author.  With all music, I suggest getting out there and finding what speaks to you the most, and I hope you can use this hub as a starters guide to getting down with the funk.

For the sake of clarity and definition, the scope of what could be considered “funk” music has been broadened to a more rhythmic selection of influential artists and groups. There were so many great artists to choose from, but I decided to narrow it down to the 10 that really helped lay the foundation.

Being a younger author, the Chili Peppers really strike a chord and groove in my heart.  If you listen to their earlier stuff you will here some of the most original and funkiest tunes ever.  Collaborating with funk greats like George Clinton from the get go, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of The Best funk artists ever.

A band that shifted form and sound through the years, Earth Wind and Fire is one of the best funk artists ever.  Formed in the late sixties by Drummer Maurice White, the band often performed with a stage more then overcrowded with musicians.  The resulting sound however was well worth the effort, as Earth, Wind and Fire helped catapult and capture the imagination of a new generation of funk fans.

When you first heard the song “It’s your thing” by the Isley Brothers, can you remember the exact thought on your mind?  I can…and let me tell you, it was more a movement and convulsing of the body that happened instantaneously.

Groovin, styled, and straight funk, this band has been getting down since the 1950’s and is one of the historic benchmarks for bands across an even wider variety of genres.  Words can’t express my appreciation for The Isley Brothers, and they rightfully deserve this spot on the list of The Greatest Funk Artists of all Time.

The Funk Brothers are secretly one of the most successful and influential groups of musicians in the history of this planet.  No joke, if you have not heard the story behind the Motown sound, then you should check out the documentary “Standing in the Shadows of Motown”, it is absolutely incredible when you get the full story.

Another historic band that dates back to the 50’s, The Ohio Players are a remarkably talented and groovy band that lays claim to the thrown of funk superstardom. Their 1971 album Pain is still one of my All Time favorites, and ironically as soon as the beat drops on the title track the last sensation that you feel is…pain.  In all seriousness, I could sit around and jam out that album on repeat for days.

Prolific, undeniable and true masters of funk, Kool and the Gang kick off our top five of The Best Funk Artists of All Time.  Sampled by seemingly every notable hip-hop artist, Robert Bell and the Gang were able to produce more than a decade of amazing funk classics.  I personally opt for the earlier stuff by Kool and the Gang, as it tended to suit more of the raw funkyness that I so prefer.  Don’t get me wrong, the later stuff was great too, which is why they are this high on the list.

Pivotal, remarkable and absolutely funkified, you cannot give enough credit to Sly Stone his Family for the many years of great tracks and classics.  This band is important to both the advancement of music and culture in the United States, and helped carry the grooves of funk to the masses.

If you are obsessed with funk, and it makes you go to sleep at night…chances are you have three posters of George Clinton scattered throughout your living arrangements. The Parliament Funkadelic is still my favorite concert ever, and their grooves will be felt throughout this galaxy until the end of time.You can really credit much of the mystique and style of funk music back to George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic.

Incorporating more than music, the P-Funk arsenal included elaborate customs, stage shows, and movies. To me this encompasses one of the big joys of funk music in general, being able to put aside the pain and suffering of the world by shaking your body around and just enjoying yourself.

It really is about the Mothership Connection and getting out of this world~

The godfather of soul and a true American legend, any list attempting to get funk nasty must at least reference this iconic singer.  I take it one step further, and place James Brown at number 2 of The Best Funk Artists of All Time. The roots and influence of James Brown is widely discussed, and the legacy he has left behind still sends a sonic pulse through dance floors everywhere. 

While I could write all day about the greatness of James Brown, the music really does speak for itself. Check him out getting down on the good foot:

The definitive funk band, there is no denying the impact and influence of this four piece from The Big Easy.  Started by Art Neville, The Meters were the house band for Allen Toussaint’s Sansu Enterprises and also a regular backing band for popular musicians in the New Orleans scene.  The Meter’s relied heavily on using syncopated rhythms over basic arrangements, which is essentially the foundation of funk.  Maybe it’s the simplicity of the music, or just the overall energy the group emits, but you cannot deny the forces of rhythm when you hear The Meters.

While the relative acclaim won from fans is much lower compared to other bands on this list, it is assured that their place in funk history will always be remembered.  For this author, and self-proclaimed funk obsessive, I pay tribute and honor to The Meters as The Best Funk Artists of All Time.

Check out this live rendition of the “Cissy Strut” and you will see what I mean: