The word funk initially referred to a strong odour. Originally derived from the Latin “fumigare”, which means “to smoke”. It is quite fitting that the man considered to be the Godfather of funk was born in an outhouse on July 22, 1941 in Kannapolis, North Carolina. His father was a gospel singer and his great great grandfather was the founder of the Mount Carmel AME Zion Church in North Carolina 1866. Clinton didn’t like church as a child. He recalled memories of falling asleep during service. He just wasn’t “feeling it”. The origins of funk can be traced back to the 1960’s when African American musicians created a rhythmic danceable form of music. A mixture of Soul, Jazz and Rhythm & Blues. Funk features strong baselines or music lines played by low pitched instruments. It has a heavy syncopated beat; a beat which emphasis change from strong beats to off beats and accents. The music also possess a distinctive groove or sense of rhythmic movement that makes you want to get up and dance. In Plainfield, New Jersey, in 1968, George Clinton along with guitarist Eddie Hazel and bassist Bootsy Collins, formed Parliament-Funkadelic. Clinton was a singer, songwriter, record producer and band leader. He used the sonic innovations of James Brown and Sly Stone to create an impressively influencial body of funk, rock and soul. Their music can be described as psychedelic funk, funk electro, funk avant or funk progressive soul. Group member Eddie Hazel is credited with coining the phrase “funkadelic”. Parliament Funkadelic was one group of musicians. However, the more rock oriented albums were released under the name funkadelic, while albums that were more funk oriented released under the name Parliament. The Parliament Funk live shows of the 1970’s were million dollar freak extravaganza complete with starship. They were known for their science fiction, outlandish fashion and psychedelic and surreal humor. Clinton believed that the last place you’d expect to see a black man is in outer space so his goal was to take you there with those epic concerts of the 1970’s. The Godfather of funk credits to always staying up on the record business by knowing who is doing what. He would watch people such as Phil Spector in order to know what to do and what was hot at the time. Parliament Funkadelic was inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame in 1997. Their music is repeatedly quoted, covered and sampled. A part of hip hop’s foundation is built on this funk group’s many hooks. Ice Cube and Del Tha Funky Homosapian are only two of many hip hop’s artist who have sampled his work. Clinton’s son Trey Lewd is a rapper with his own album on Warner Bros.. George Clinton retired in 2019.