Funk is a music genre that originated in African American communities in the mid-1960s when musicians created a rhythmic, danceable new form of music through a mixture of various music genres that were popular among African Americans in the mid-20th century. It deemphasizes melody and chord progressions and focuses on a strong rhythmic groove of a bassline played by an electric bassist and a drum part played by a percussionist, often at slower tempos than other popular music. Funk typically consists of a complex percussive groove with rhythm instruments playing interlocking grooves that create a "hypnotic" and "danceable" feel. It uses the same richly colored extended chords found in bebop jazz, such as minor chords with added sevenths and elevenths, and dominant seventh chords with altered ninths and thirteenths.
Breakbeat is a broad type of electronic music that tends to use drum breaks sampled from early recordings of funk, jazz, and R&B. Breakbeats have been used in styles such as hip hop, jungle, drum and bass, big beat, breakbeat hardcore, and UK garage styles.
"Funky Drummer" is a single released by James Brown in 1970. Its drum break, improvised by Clyde Stubblefield, is one of the most frequently sampled music recordings.
The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are is the debut studio album by hip-hop group the 2 Live Crew. It was released in 1986 on Luke Records to a great deal of controversy and promptly was certified gold by the RIAA. It includes the hits "We Want Some Pussy", "Throw the 'D'", and "Cuttin' It Up". Bob Rosenberg, a south Florida DJ who would later form the dance-pop group Will to Power, remixed and edited the song "Beat Box". In Florida, it was deemed obscene, and one store clerk was charged with felony "corruption of a minor" for selling it to a 14-year-old girl. The clerk was later acquitted.
Clyde Austin Stubblefield was an American drummer best known for his work with James Brown, with whom he recorded and toured for six years (1965-70). His syncopated drum patterns on Brown's recordings are considered funk standards. Samples of his drum performances were heavily used in hip hop music beginning in the 1980s, although Stubblefield frequently received no credit.
Livin' Like Hustlers is the debut album by American hip hop group Above the Law. It was released on February 20, 1990, via Ruthless Records; an advanced promo cassette version was released two months earlier. The ten track record was produced entirely by Dr. Dre and Above the Law and featured a guest performance from N.W.A on the track titled "The Last Song". In addition, Eazy-E served as executive producer of the album. It peaked at number 14 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 75 on the U.S. Billboard 200.
John Henry "Jabo" Starks, sometimes spelled Jab'o, was an American funk and blues drummer best known for playing with James Brown as well as other notable musicians including Bobby Bland and B.B. King. A self-taught musician, he was known for his effective and clean drum patterns. He was one of the originators of funk drumming, and is one of the most sampled drummers.
Funke, Funke Wisdom is the fourth solo studio album by American recording artist Kool Moe Dee from the Treacherous Three. It was released in 1991 via Jive Records, making it the rapper's final album on the label.
CPO was an American hip hop group from Compton, California, founded in 1989 by rapper Vince "Lil' Nation" Edwards and DJ Clarence "D.J. Train" Lars, and enlisted producer Daron "Young D" Sapp shortly thereafter. Fellow rapper Granville "The Chip" Moton was one-time member of the group.
Vince Edwards professionally known by his stage name CPO Boss Hogg, was an American rapper from Compton, California. He began his career as a founding member of the hip hop group Capital Punishment Organization in 1989 under the moniker Lil' Nation. The group released their only album before splitting up in 1991. Afterwards Edwards continued his career as a solo artist, featuring on several high-profile albums.
Freddie Foxxx Is Here is the debut studio album by American East Coast hip hop artist Freddie Foxxx. It was released in 1989 via MCA Records, and is produced by Foxxx himself as well as Eric B. of Eric B. & Rakim.
Addictive Hip Hop Muzick is the debut studio album by American recording artist Kokane, and the only one released under his 'Who Am I?' alias. It was released on July 2, 1991 through Ruthless Records and Epic Records. Recording sessions took place at the Edge Recording Studio in Inglewood, California. Production was handled by Cold 187um and fellow Above the Law members with executive production by Lay Law and Eazy-E. It was mixed by Dr. Dre and Cold 187um at Audio Achievements in Torrance, California. The album features contributions from DJ Total K-oss, Funkette, Go Mack, KM.G, Lay Law, Lillian, Mz Kilo and Tha New Funkateers on vocals, Cold 187 um on vocals and keyboards, Stan "The Guitar Man" Jones on bass and guitar.
Not Just a Fad is the second studio album by the American female rap group J.J. Fad. It was released in 1990 via Ruthless Records. The album spawned three singles: "We in the House", "Gold", and "Be Good ta Me". Neither the album nor the singles registered on any major music chart. Although the group never officially broke up, they have not released an album since Not Just a Fad.
Open Sesame is the fourth studio album by American hip hop group Whodini. It was released on August 27, 1987 via Jive Records, the final album of new material the group would release on the label before moving to MCA Records. Audio production was handled almost entirely by Larry Smith, except for two tracks both produced by Sinister and Whodini. The record peaked at #30 on the Billboard 200, at #8 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on January 20, 1988.
Move Somethin' is the second studio album by the Miami-based hip hop group 2 Live Crew. It was released on August 17, 1988, via Luke Records and was produced by Luke Skyywalker and Mr. Mixx. It was certified Gold by Recording Industry Association of America. The album improved on the charts from the previous album, making in to number 68 on the Billboard 200 and number 20 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. It contains the singles "Move Somethin'" and "Do Wah Diddy Diddy".
Are U Xperienced? is the debut and only studio album by American hip hop duo Yomo & Maulkie. It was named after the Jimi Hendrix 1967 album Are You Experienced. It was released on September 17, 1991 via Eazy-E's Ruthless Records, and was produced by DJ Yella. Though the album was met with some positive reviews, it was a commercial failure and did not appear on any album charts. Three singles were released: "Mama Don't", "Mockingbird", "Glory"/"Are U Xperienced?", but the only single "Glory" made it to the Billboard charts, peaking at number 7 on the Hot Rap Songs. Labelmates Jimmy Z and Jewell Caples were featured on the album.
Livin' in a Hoe House is the only studio album by American female rap group H.W.A. The album was released in 1990 via Drive-By Records and was produced by Dangerous D and Ronnie Vann. The record was mildly successful, reaching #38 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. No singles made it to the Billboard charts.
I Know How To Play 'Em! is the one and only album by American hip hop recording artists Eric 'Original E' Woods and DJ Big Boss, released as a duo O.G. Style from Houston, Texas. It was peaked at #69 on Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
"Ballad of a Menace" is a single by American hip hop group Capital Punishment Organization, released in 1990 as the lead single from their debut studio album To Hell and Black, by Capitol Records. The song later appeared in the Grand Theft Auto V in-game radio station West Coast Classics.
Notorious is the debut studio album by American rapper and producer Donald D. It was released in 1989 via Ice-T's Rhyme $yndicate Records label with distribution through Epic Records and CBS Records Inc. Recording sessions took place at Syndicate Studio West and Wide Tracks Recording Studio in Los Angeles, California. Record production on the album was handled by Afrika Islam and Donald D, with executive production provided by Ice-T. Reaching a peak position of number 78 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, the album remained on the chart for a total of 18 weeks. It spawned two singles: "F.B.I.", which peaked at number 8 on the Hot Rap Songs, and "Notorious".
