Discover the soul-stirring rhythms and influence of funk music in PBS’s engaging documentary.
The PBS documentary We Want the Funk!, directed by Stanley Nelson and Nicole London, is an electrifying homage to one of the most influential yet often overlooked musical genres in history. Premiering on April 8, 2025, as part of PBS’s Independent Lens series, the film takes viewers through a pulsating exploration of funk music, tracing its roots and celebrating its cultural significance. Beyond a genre, funk emerges as an anthem of individuality, resilience, and Black liberation.
A Rhythmic Journey through Funk’s Origins and Evolution
The documentary begins with the question, “What is funk?” Marcus Miller’s rhythmic groove on the bass guitar sets the tone for a narrative exploring funk’s undefinable essence. With commentary from legends like George Clinton, Questlove, and Trombonist Fred Wesley, the film journeys through the genre’s birth in the 1960s and its explosion into prominence through the 1970s. It highlights key figures like James Brown, whose 1968 anthem “Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud” became a rallying cry of Black pride, and George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic, whose extraterrestrial stage presence and bold sounds defined funk’s unique personality.
Through rare archival footage and deep insights from artists and cultural critics, the documentary emphasizes funk’s origins in African rhythms, gospel, jazz, and soul. It captures the way funk channeled the collective anger, hope, and energy of a post-civil rights generation. At its core, funk was defiant, raw, and unapologetically Black.
The Sound of Cultural Rebellion
What sets We Want the Funk! apart as a documentary is its ability to convey the genre as more than just music. It was a cultural statement during an era when Black identity was evolving. Funk embodied individuality and protest, reflected in its bold instrumentation of thumping basslines, synthesizers, and call-and-response chants. The film artfully connects funk’s unapologetic nature to the larger social movements of the time, from Black Power to desegregation, showing how the genre became a sonic manifestation of resistance and liberation.
The documentary also explores funk’s influence on other forms of music, from hip-hop’s rhythmic backbone to elements borrowed by new wave artists. With revealing anecdotes, such as David Byrne of Talking Heads admitting to pulling inspiration for the hit “Burning Down the House” from a Parliament concert chant, the film underscores funk’s deep and lasting cultural impact.
Masterful Storytelling by Acclaimed Filmmakers
Directed by Stanley Nelson, an Emmy Award-winning documentarian known for films like Freedom Riders and Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool, and Nicole London, a Grammy-nominated producer, the documentary is a testament to their storytelling expertise. Their detailed exploration of funk required weaving together footage, interviews, and cultural context in a narrative as dynamic and unconventional as the genre itself. The pair skillfully situate funk within its broader social and musical contexts while allowing the music to remain the star of the show.
Powerful, Celebratory, and Unforgettable
We Want the Funk! is more than a historical documentary; it is a celebration of Black artistry and culture. It highlights funk’s joyful, boundary-pushing nature and its enduring relevance as an expression of resilience and creativity. Interviews, rare footage, and evocative storytelling ensure viewers not only learn about funk’s history but also feel its raw, infectious groove.
The documentary also serves as a timely reminder of the importance of preserving and honoring Black contributions to history and culture. As Lois Vossen, executive producer of Independent Lens, eloquently states, “We need the funk. Funk fosters social connection and resilience, allowing us to cope with challenging situations.”
Fans of funk music and cultural history will find their spirits lifted and their hearts thumping to the rhythm as We Want the Funk! reclaims this revolutionary sound and its lasting legacy. For anyone interested, the documentary is available for streaming on PBS until July 7, 2025. Watch it to experience why “once you get the funk out there, you can’t put it back in the box.”
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