What is the best funk band of all time?

Funk music is built on deep grooves, syncopated rhythms, and an irresistible urge to move. The greatest funk bands created a sound that was simultaneously tight and loose, sophisticated and primal — a genre that has influenced nearly every form of popular music that followed. Vote for the band that laid down the fattest grooves in music history.

1

James Brown & The JBs

The Godfather of Soul and his legendary backing band

2

Parliament-Funkadelic

George Clinton's massive collective that defined funk in the 1970s

3

Sly & The Family Stone

San Francisco multiracial funk band that influenced generations of musicians

4

Kool & the Gang

New Jersey funk and soul group known for "Celebration" and "Get Down on It"

5

Ohio Players

Dayton funk group known for "Love Rollercoaster" and provocative album covers

6

Tower of Power

Oakland funk and soul band known for their powerful brass section

7

Average White Band

Scottish soul-funk group known for "Pick Up the Pieces"

8

Cameo

American funk and R&B group known for "Word Up!"

9

Gap Band

Tulsa soul and funk trio known for "Outstanding" and "You Dropped a Bomb on Me"

10

Zapp & Roger

Ohio funk group known for talkbox vocals and "More Bounce to the Ounce"

11

Bootsy's Rubber Band

Bootsy Collins's funk collective known for over-the-top costumes

12

The Meters

New Orleans funk group known as the original funk band

13

Chic

New York disco-funk band led by Nile Rodgers, known for "Le Freak"

14

Con Funk Shun

California funk group known for smooth, danceable grooves

15

Bar-Kays

Memphis funk group known for their hard funk sound

16

Rick James & The Stone City Band

Funk rock artist known for "Super Freak"