We Want the Funk!, a new PBS documentary directed by Stanley Nelson and Nicole London, dives into the cultural and musical legacy of 1970s funk. It premiered on April 8 through PBS’s Independent Lens series and will be available to stream until July 7, 2025.
The film traces funk’s roots from African rhythms and early jazz to its rise in 1970s urban America. It features commentary from artists, producers, and cultural critics, including George Clinton and Questlove, highlighting the genre’s influence and evolution.
Archival footage and personal reflections help show how funk became a form of expression and resistance for a post–civil rights generation. The documentary honors artists like James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, and Parliament-Funkadelic, presenting funk as a driving force of Black cultural identity.
Executive producer Lois Vossen says funk helped people cope and connect: “Music, especially funk, fosters social connection, provides a mental break from worries, and helps build resilience.” The film presents funk not just as music, but as a lasting symbol of power and liberation.
