funky
what it is
Funky is a positive adjective related to the word "funk". Funk is an American musical style that originated in the mid to late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, soul jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk "de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums" to the foreground.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 2 · the door
big names with a sharper edge
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make funky a playlist
turn these 29 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is funky?
Funky is a positive adjective related to the word "funk". Funk is an American musical style that originated in the mid to late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, soul jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk "de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums" to the foreground.
What are good funky albums to start with?
Try Diamonds On The Inside by Ben Harper, Love in a Black Dimension by Jestofunk, Fungus Amongus by Incubus, and Wild Cherry by Wild Cherry.
Who are some women making funky?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/funky/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making funky, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-19