Tracing funk music's journey from African rhythms, soul, and early jazz roots to its establishment in mainstream consciousness. The film illuminates figures and music that led funk's evolution: dynamic James Brown on stage, George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic's extraterrestrial sound, girl group Labelle's transformation, and Fela Kuti's Afrobeat. The film encompasses funk's influence on other genres like New Wave and hip-hop, musically retracing the history and cultural trajectory of funk through continuous change and fusion.

Forged in the 1960s from a crucible of gospel, R&B, and soul, funk is a sound at once precise and hypnotic. Built on syncopated basslines and relentlessly steady drum grooves, its power is undeniable. We Want the Funk!, from co-directors Stanley Nelson and Nicole London, traces the history and seismic cultural force of the genre, capturing not only its defining stars but also its spirit, politics, and theory. 

Featuring dazzling archival performances from James Brown, Parliament-Funkadelic, Sly and the Family Stone, Fela Kuti, and Prince, the film channels the raw, electric exuberance of the classic concert movie. Interviews with a who's who of contemporary musicians and funk ambassadors—including Questlove, Prince Paul, and David Byrne—flow through the film, connecting the dots between postwar politics, sociology, and even science to the deep roots of funk's legendary rhythms. 

A celebration of groove and the defiant spirit behind it, We Want the Funk! is as much an exploration of the intersection of culture and politics as it is a love letter to the music. Nelson’s ultimate aim is simple yet irresistible: to get audiences on their feet, dancing and singing along, embodying funk’s joyful resistance in real time.

Distinctly rooted in joy, funk music reflected a post-Civil Rights Movement sensibility. WE WANT THE FUNK! examines the symbiotic relationship between the explosion of funk music out of the Midwest and the political and racial dynamics in 1970s inner-city America. At the heart of the film are the first-hand stories, recollections, and experiences of the people who created and defined funk.

damon@firelightmedia.org​