Black History Month: Seven Minutes of Funk
A Brief Introduction To Black History Month
Black History Month, an annual celebration honoring the achievements of African Americans and the integral role they play in U.S. history, has been formally recognized by the acting President every February since 1976. Its roots actually trace back September 1915, after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery, when Carter G. Woodson and Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH).
“Known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the group sponsored a national Negro History week in 1926, choosing the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The event inspired schools and communities nationwide to organize local celebrations, establish history clubs and host performances and lectures.” – Excerpt from history.com.
“Seven Minutes of Funk”
1976 stands out to Amherst Records for many reasons. One is the release of The Whole Darn Family’s “Has Arrived” album by Soul International Records. This interracial seven-piece funk band from Richmond, Virginia was managed, produced and promoted by August (Mr. Wiggles) Moon. (Check out this incredible 2015 interview with Woudy Hughes by Richmond Magazine.)
From left to right of their album cover: Odis Hamlin, Woudy Hughes, Clifton Smith, Tommy Bryant, Tyrone Thomas, Giz Bowe, and Joel Smither.
“Seven Minutes of Funk” has become an industry favorite, shaping the future of rap and hip-hop. Covered more than 45 times by prominent black artists, “Seven Minutes of Funk” has been dubbed a “cult favorite” and “one of hip-hop’s most enduring samples.”
Can you pick out “Seven Minutes of Funk” in these samples?
- It’s My Thing by EPMD (Listen now.)
- Superappin’ by Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five (Listen now.)
- Ain’t No N**** by Jay-Z featuring Foxy Brown (Listen now.)
- Method Man (Crazy C’s Suthun Fried Radio Mix) by Wu-Tang Clan (Listen now.)
- Street Rock by Kurtis Blow featuring Bob Dylan (Listen now.)
- Baby (All Star Party Mix) by Brandy (Listen now.)
- Three Minutes of Beat Box by T La Rock featuring Greg Nice (Listen now.)
- Why You Always Hatin? by YG featuring Drake and Kamaiyah (Listen now.)
- Ask Somebody by Consequence featuring Ty Dolla Sign and Tony Yayo (Listen now.)
- My Love Is So Raw by Alyson Williams featuring Nikki D (Listen now.)