“We Want the Funk!”: A Soulful Journey Through the Rhythms of Resistance

Premiering April 8, 2025, on PBS’s Independent Lens, We Want the Funk! is more than just a music documentary — it’s a cultural deep-dive into one of the most influential and underrated genres in American music.

Directed by award-winning filmmakers Stanley Nelson and Nicole London, the film takes us from the genre’s early roots in African rhythms and jazz to its undeniable impact on hip-hop, R&B, and pop culture as we know it today.

The story kicks off with iconic bassist Marcus Miller laying down a signature groove — the kind you don’t just hear, you feel. From there, we’re guided through funk’s evolution with appearances and archival footage from legends like James Brown, George Clinton, and Fela Kuti. But it’s not just about the music, it’s about how funk became a soundtrack for resistance, self-expression, and joy during turbulent times.

A standout moment comes when USC professor Todd Boyd tries to define funk: “It’s funky… but beyond that, I don’t know if I can describe it. But when you hear it, you know what it is. And, maybe more importantly, you feel it.” And that’s exactly what the film captures, the emotional pull of funk.

We Want the Funk! also gives credit where it’s due — showing how this genre laid the foundation for social movements and inspired generations of artists to speak truth to power through soul and rhythm.

Streaming now on PBS.org and the PBS app through July 7, this documentary is a must-watch for anyone curious about the intersection of music, black culture and activism or anyone who just wants to rememver what is feels like to really groove.