Funk is an American musical style that originated in the mid 60s when African American musicians blended soul music, soul jazz and R&B into a 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. Funk music was a major influence on the development of 1970s disco music.

Funk typically consists of a complex groove with rhythm instruments such as electric guitar, electric bass, Hammond organ, and drums playing interlocking rhythms. Funk bands also usually have a horn section of several saxophones, trumpets, and in some cases, a trombone.

Funky typically described the slow, sexy, loose, riff-oriented and danceable music. As late as the 50s and early 60s, when “funk” and “funky” were used increasingly in the context of soul music, the terms still were considered indelicate and inappropriate for use in polite company.