Funk Across The Decades

1.) 1980s: Kool & The Gang - Get Down On It

      As far as 1980s funk is concerned, one would be hard pressed to find a better example than Kool & The Gang.  This track is one of their biggest hits, and is still a standard funk groove that is played today.  The track was recorded by The Island Def Jam Music Group in 1981. 

    The video doesn't really have a story or message that is is trying to convey, other than the them of getting super funky.  It does, however, exemplify the 80s style and obsession with using new camera and post production techniques, which is prominently displayed throughout the entire video.

2.) 1990s: Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Love Rollercoaster"

      Keeping the spirit of funk alive in the 90s is the fantastic Red Hot Chili Peppers.  In fact, this track is actually a cover from the 70s funk/soul group Ohio Players.  The track was recorded for the film Beavis and Butt-head Do America.  

      One of the first things that one notices with this music video is that it is completely animated.  This was of course done to match the style of the film.  Parts of the video are directly taken from the film itself.  Other parts of the video show Beavis, Butt-head, and the animated version of the actual band members interacting on a rollercoaster.

     At the time, animation was not a new concept, but hadn't really been used in this way.  It was viewed as more of an innocent medium, yet was being used to express more adult and crude themes.  This is also very indicative of the era, as the 90s was full of add animated goodies, such as The Ren  & Stimpy Show and Rocko's Modern Life.

3.)  2000s: Daft Punk - "One More Time"

       Switching gears, yet keeping with the main theme we take a look at this Daft Punk track.  While some may not considerthis to be a classic definition of funk, it does display elements that make the genre recognisable. 

This video is another example of animation, yet it is a different style than the previous video.  It displays an anime or japanimation style that has exploded in the States in recent years. 

The video is actually just a piece of an entire movie that was made called Interstellar 5555.  The plot of the movie follows the abduction of an interstellar pop group.