An American musical style that originated in the mid- to late-1960s when African American performers blended soul music, soul jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasises melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground.

Unlike R&B and soul songs, which had many chord changes, funk songs are often based on an extended vamp on a single chord. Like much of African music, funk typically consists of a complex groove with rhythm instruments such as electric guitar, electric bass, Hammond organ and drums playing interlocking rhythms. Funk bands also usually have a horn section of several saxophones, trumpets and in some cases a trombone which plays rhythmic 'shots'.

Influential African American funk performers include James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, George Clinton and the Meters. Notable 1970s funk bands included Earth, Wind and Fire, Tower of Power, the Commodores, and Kool and the Gang.

Funk music was a major influence on the development of 1970s disco music and funk samples are used in most styles of hip hop music.