Main content
This programme is not currently available on BBC iPlayer

The Story of Funk: One Nation Under a Groove

Documentary telling the story of funk, an irresistible style of music that burst out of the American black community at a time of self-discovery, struggle and social change.

In the 1970s, America was one nation under a groove as an irresistible new style of music took hold of the country - funk. The music burst out of the black community at a time of self-discovery, struggle and social change. Funk reflected all of that. It has produced some of the most famous, eccentric and best-loved acts in the world - James Brown, Sly & the Family Stone, George Clinton's Funkadelic and Parliament, Kool & the Gang and Earth, Wind & Fire.

During the 1970s this fun, futuristic and freaky music changed the streets of America with its outrageous fashion, space-age vision and streetwise slang. But more than that, funk was a celebration of being black, providing a platform for a new philosophy, belief system and lifestyle that was able to unite young black Americans into taking pride in who they were.

Today, like blues and jazz, it is looked on as one of the great American musical cultures, its rhythms and hooks reverberating throughout popular music. Without it hip-hop wouldn't have happened. Dance music would have no groove. This documentary tells that story, exploring the music and artists who created a positive soundtrack at a negative time for African-Americans.

Includes interviews with George Clinton, Sly & the Family Stone, Earth, Wind & Fire, Kool & the Gang, War, Cameo, Ray Parker Jnr and trombonist Fred Wesley.

1 hour

Last on

Fri 4 Oct 2019 23:25
BBC Four

Clip

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:16

    James Brown

    The Boss

  • 00:18

    James Brown

    You Played Yourself

  • 00:18

    James Brown

    Paid The Cost To Be Boss (The Boss)

  • 00:18

    James Brown

    Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud)

  • 00:18

    James Brown

    Give It Up or Turnit a Loose

  • 00:19

    James Brown

    Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud)

  • 00:39

    Parliament

    Flashlight

  • 00:42

    Isaac Hayes

    Shaft

  • 00:43

    Curtis Mayfield

    Pusherman

  • 00:43

    Curtis Mayfield

    Pusherman

  • 00:44

    Manu Dibango

    Soul Makossa

  • 00:44

    Kool & the Gang

    Jungle Jazz (Original Mix)

  • 00:47

    Kool & the Gang

    Jungle Boogie

  • 00:51

    KC and the Sunshine Band

    Shake Your Booty

  • 00:52

    The Trammps

    Disco Inferno

  • 00:52

    Earth, Wind & Fire

    Boogie Wonderland (feat. The Emotions)

  • 00:53

    Donna Summer

    I Feel Love

  • 00:58

    Cameo

    Word Up

  • 00:58

    Cameo

    Word Up

Credits

Producer James Hale
Executive Producer Paul Bullock

Broadcasts

Featured in...

  • Black History Month

    A collection of programmes exploring black history and culture.

  • Music Stories

    Get the inside track on some of music's most influential songs, albums and personalities.

Visit The Genius of Funk programme page

Visit The Genius of Funk programme page

With Earth, Wind & Fire, Kool & the Gang, Average White Band and Herbie Hancock.