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.

James Brown & The JBs

The Godfather of Soul and his legendary backing band

1/16

Parliament-Funkadelic

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

2/16

Sly & The Family Stone

San Francisco multiracial funk band that influenced generations of musicians

3/16

Kool & the Gang

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

4/16

Ohio Players

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

5/16

Tower of Power

Oakland funk and soul band known for their powerful brass section

6/16

Average White Band

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

7/16

Cameo

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

8/16

Gap Band

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

9/16

Zapp & Roger

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

10/16

Bootsy's Rubber Band

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

11/16

The Meters

New Orleans funk group known as the original funk band

12/16

Chic

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

13/16

Con Funk Shun

California funk group known for smooth, danceable grooves

14/16

Bar-Kays

Memphis funk group known for their hard funk sound

15/16

Rick James & The Stone City Band

Funk rock artist known for "Super Freak"

16/16