Overview

Music has always been a way for individuals and communities alike to express themselves and what is on their mind. Additionally, music served as a way for a community to enjoy themselves and have fun. Before the hip hop and club scene of today, the dance club scene of the 80s, and even the disco scene in the late 70s and early 80s, there was the funk and soul scene of the early and mid 70s. Before the disco scene, Funk and Soul artists such as Earth Wind and Fire, Kool and the Gang, and Sly and the Family Stone were first to introduce the idea of dance/night clubs through their music and make music solely for individuals, in particular the Urban youth, to dance to and and enjoy themselves at clubs. Furthermore, the Funk and Soul scene of the early and mid 70s directly influenced the disco scene which followed shortly after, and served a significant role in the popularity and existence of a "dance club." In fact, many of the artists which will be included in my playlist went on to be part of the disco scene which soon followed in the late 70s and early 80s. However, my focus is on the early and mid 70s funk and soul songs which came before and influenced the disco scene. While the uptempo funk songs served as the songs which made listeners have a good time and enjoy themselves, the soul songs served as the songs which expressed the feeling of love and happiness, and in which one would find a partner to dance with. However, both were of equal importance to the disco scene, as many disco songs, although mainly meant to dance to, would take on the subject of love and encourage dancing with a partner.