Syncopated, tightly played dance music, born at the end of the sixties from a fusion of earlier black music forms such as jazz, rhythm & blues and soul. The rhythm, captured in the groove, and with a leading role for the bass guitar, is overpowering. James Brown is often referred to as one of the first soul artists to give the groove a prominent role. Bands such as Parliament and Sly & The Family Stone developed this style further. Besides rhythmic characteristics, funk also shares the use of special chords with jazz. Funk had a great influence on hip-hop and R&B, but you can also hear clear funk influences from rock artists like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Living Colour.