P-Funk (also spelled
P Funk or
P. Funk) is a shorthand term for the repertoire and performers associated with
George Clinton and the
Parliament-Funkadelic collective and the distinctive style of
funk music they performed. The P-Funk groups had their heyday in the 1970s and continue to attract new fans thanks both to the legacy of
samples they bequeathed to
hip hop and the live shows that the bands continue to perform. Their music was very aspirational, which is symbolized by their
Mothership that has since been acquired by the
Smithsonian. Notable P-Funk albums include
Funkadelic's
Maggot Brain and
Parliament's
Mothership Connection. The differing styles of these albums showcase the wide range of P-Funk's music. "
Maggot Brain was an explosive record" of Jimi Hendrix inspired rock while
Mothership Connection was an "album of science-fiction funk." While this rock/funk differentiation is what normally separated
Funkadelic from
Parliament, the bands consisted of many of the same members and performed live on tour together. Hence, the two groups are often described under the one moniker
Parliament-Funkadelic.
