funkstyle

Funkstyle is a term used in both dance and music contexts to describe a fusion rooted in funk's emphasis on groove and rhythmic play. In dance, funkstyle denotes a street-dance practice that blends funk-inspired movement with hip-hop, contemporary, and house techniques, prioritizing musicality, body control, and improvisation.

In performance, dancers often execute smooth isolations, rounded hips, pops and locks, chest pops, and rhythmic shuffles to funk- and funk-adjacent tracks. The style stresses a strong connection to the music's pocket, varying tempos, and the ability to adapt to different grooves rather than rely on complex acrobatics.

In music production, funkstyle labels tracks that fuse funk's bass-driven grooves, horn stabs, and syncopation with electronic production, breakbeat, or dance-oriented elements. The result is a dance-friendly sound characterized by a tight groove, rhythmic basslines, and layering of brass or brass-like timbres.

History and usage: The term emerged from funk's enduring influence on dance and popular music during the 1970s and 1980s, with later expansion through hip-hop, electronic, and club scenes. Different regions have used the term differently; in some communities it describes a dance approach, in others a production style. As a result, funkstyle has no single canonical form, but remains a flexible umbrella for groove-driven, rhythm-focused work.

See also: funk music, hip-hop dance, breakdancing, street dance.