South returns funk

You might be thinking how is it that most of the hit artists in the rap game right now are from the South. It’s a plain and simple answer:

The South is bringing the funk back.

Southern artists are being embraced because of love for their sound and their confidence to keep making music their way.

Undoubtedly, the South has finally taken over.

Classic examples are Lil’ Wayne’s “Bring it Back,” Cee-lo’s “You the One,” Big Tymers’ “It’s a Beautiful Thing,” T.I.’s “Let’s Get Away.” Outkast has been bringing us funk for years.

If you just sit back and reminisce over the past three or four years, you will not only notice it, you will feel it. The South has owned the 21st century thus far. It has done something to put a wrinkle in rap. A change is being made.

It all started with the founder of funk, George Clinton cleverly mixing soul music and rock to bring that sound that makes you close your eyes and just vibe. He produced three platinum albums during the ’70s with his influence.

That’s what’s so great about music. It grows and changes over time but doesn’t forget its roots. The South has taken funk into rap and is leading rap into the forefront with a bold, different sound.

Midwest artists such as Twista and Kanye West are starting to bring their funky southern-inspired sound to the rap game as well. West is making funkadelic beats for himself and other artists.

Look at young rappers from the South who have much more to bring and might have not had hit songs with crucial funk sound. But they’ve been featured on funky songs that haven’t been heard.

Along with these up-and-comers, such artists as Lil’ Flip, Ludacris and Juvenile have much more to bring.

In particular, Juvenile’s latest album was filled with hits and borderline funk. “Slow Motion,” lacked that old 70s funk sound that Clinton started but definitely had a soul sound that puts you in that special zone as soon as you hear the intro.

Regardless, funk is a great thing for rap with the sudden drought that everybody is talking about in hip hop. Southern funk will bring the love of original hip hop back and once again hip hop will be loved by all listeners.

Royce Wynn is a junior public relations student from Washington, D.C. He is the assistant lifestyles editor for The Famuan. Contact him at famuanlifestyles@hotmail.com.