Category Archives: Blog

Remembering D’Angelo R.I.P. 1974-2025

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 27: D'Angelo performs at The Apollo Theater on February 27, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/Getty Images)

The Funkisphere is saddened to hear about the untimely passing of Singer,Songwriter,and Musician, D’Angelo.

Born in the US in the city of Richmond Va, as Michael Eugene Archer  he played various instruments in the local Richmond band scene. He broke through and gained recognition  in the then Neo-Soul music genre and was credited as a pioneer of the movement.

His name as a talented musician, songwriter and producer. quickly spread throughout the industry

He gained further attention as a Co-writer and Producer of the Single, “You Will Know” by the super group, Black Man United.This attention eventually got him singed to EMI records in 1994.

With this momentum, behind him, his debut solo release,” Brown Sugar” went platinum  and hits such as his cover of the Smokey Robinson classic, “Crusin and his co-written song “Lady”  and two other “hit singles pushed the album to Platinum status which means he sold one million units and is cited as a major creator in the Neo-Soul movement.

His collaborations continued with arts Angie Stone, Erykah  Badu, and Lauryn Hill among others. His performance of the Lauryn Hill track, “Nothing Even Matters” is still regarded as a memorable track.

He soon became a critics darling as Rolling Stone named him one the greatest singers in the top 200 of all time. of all time and was inducted in to the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.

His next release,”Voodo” produced more hits and more critical acclaim.

Over time his music took on a harder, gritter even funkier edge.

With all of his success along with the trappings of it Dee’Angelo became beset with issues.

He didn’t like being marketed as a “sex symbol” This became an issue with him which led to personal struggles which led to drug and alchol abuse.

This affected his output of releasing  new material.

His last release,  “Black Messiah” in 2014 was met with critical acclaim and commercial success garnering several industry awards.

He made a few more artistic contributions to a few more projects and then retreated from the industry.

As he was recording his final release in 2025, he passed away from pancreatic cancer.

Rest in Peace and Power brother D’Angelo. Thanks for the music and memories.

 

 

 

Still Funkin’ for 2025 and Beyond…

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Hey there True Funk Soldiers, Funk Lovin’ Ladies and everyone in between thanks for joining us here back in the Funkisphere.

2024 was a challenging year here in the Funkisphere, we lost two friends, and contributors here in the space.

George Darden was an old friend, and classmate of ours from our days at Howard University back in the mid-1970’s

We both were the in the first  set of student interns to go om the air at Howard University’s WHUR in 1978. He later graduated that year and began a career in Telecommunications working at various positions for Verizon.

When this Podcast began there was no doubt that he’d be perfect in a role as being a contributor. He conducted Interviews, wrote Blog posts, and was a contributor to the twice yearly Roundtable discussions.

Darden left the show in 2015 to pursue other interests, he was a co-founder of the Choclate City Alliance which started  the “Funkmasters Ball” concert series which still runs today.

George passed away on February 3rd 2024

The other contributor, Robert “Bob” Davis deserves equal recognition as well. He and his brother Michael created the first Website, Soul-Patrol.net focused on the history of Black music from it’s beginnings to the future..

Without Soul-Partol there would be no Funk In The First Degree.

Bob was the longest running solo contributor on the Podcast. His insights and analysis to the show were immeasurable.

He passed away on February 11,2024.

They were our “Brothers in Funk”and they will be forever missed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Funkin’ New Year 2024

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Happy Funkin’ New Year True Funk Soldiers,Funk lovin’ Ladies, Funk Nerds and everyone else in between. Thanks for joining us here in the Funkisphere. It’s been our prevledge in providing you information about  the music genre known as “Funk” for over a decade.

We are the first and longest running Podcast and Blog about the genre and have had lifelong and personal experience about it. We’ve had the honor of interviewing Artists, talking and proving reviews that provide literally an archive of the genre on a yearly basis.

And there are still more things to come

We have the features that you have come to know us by like book reviews (The Funky Book Corner) Our last Funky Five, a Movie review when appropriate, Bob Davis  of Soul-Patrol.com, The Roundtable and special features (episodes) that will last through the ages.

Thanks your your support and tell others about the show to help us continue our growth.

Remember Funk in still Fun with a “K” on it

Funkin’ you forward and keepin’ you on the “One”

Yours in Funk,

John Ellison III

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clyde Stubblefield: 1943-2017 RIP

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clydeThe Funkisphere continues to be saddened with another profound loss.. One of the most infleuential and most sampled  Drummers, Clyde Stubblefield, most known for this work with James Brown has passed away. Stubblefield joined JB  after playing with an array of notable performers to include Otis Redding.

Clyde joined JB in 1965 playing on, “Cold Sweat” in 1967. He also played on the hits, “Ain’t It Funky Now, Black and Proud, Get On Up, Get Into It Get Involved, Funky Drummer ” and the “Sex Machine” release.

Stubblefield left Brown in 1970 after Sex Machine to concentrate on studio session work and later create instructional Drumming videos.

Clyde explains to Harry Weinger the backstory of creating the rhythms of “Cold Sweat” and “Funky Drummer”        http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/jaboandclydecoldsweat.html

He will surely be missed.

 

 

 

Walter “Junie” Morrison:1954-2017 RIP

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A-67807-1279911837.jpegFunk In The First Degree is saddened to hear about the untimely passing of Walter “Junie” Morison.The talented Singer, Songwriter, and Multi-Instrumentalist passed away on February 16th, 2017.

Junie came to the attention of the Funkisphere joining the Ohio Players in 1970 as their Lead Singer and Keyboard player on the Ohio Players hit single, “Pain”. His influence permeated through the group, to the point that  on the Players third release, “Ecstasy” Morrison received Arrangers credit. Morrison left the group after that release to embark on a short circuited solo career.  A car accident briefly sidelined him in the mid-70’s.

He shocked the Funk world by joining the Ohio Players former rival band Parliament-Funkadelic serving as their Keyboard player and Musical Director making major contributions to P-Funk’s  growth from 1978-1980. Morrison would later be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame as a member of P-Funk.

Junie re-launched his solo career in the 80’s recording for CBS and other labels and  eventually would form his own label and website where he’d market and sell his own product and comment on the state of the music industry.  Junie was an incredible talent and he will surely be missed.

Rest in Peace Brother  Morrison. The Funkisphere will never be quite the same.