“Funky Beat” is the lead single of Whodini’s third album. It reached #19 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Chart in the summer of 1986. Its music video features actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who was on the popular Cosby Show at the time.
This song samples “Different Strokes” by Syl Johnson.
[Intro]
Extra, extra read all about it
Whodini drops another one in everybody's face
And dig it, they call this one Grandmaster Dee's "Funky Beat"
Film at 11
[Chorus]
Funky beat, funky beat
Funky beat, funky beat, funky beat
Funky beat, funky beat, funky beat
[Verse One:Jalil]
Right here and now, I do declare
This to be the new funky beat of the year
If you want a funky beat, why not use mine?
I be rocking funky beats, all the time
So now's the time, and this is the chance
Cause the next record might not make you dance
Cause funk ain't nothing but a four letter word
That's often spelled but seldom heard
Listen to the bass drum hit the ground
The bass sounds like it weighs at least a pound
You heard the drum roll, there was a glare in your eye
But tell me the truth, are you that surprised?
We make beats with rhythm and rhythm with beats
Hear my records in the clubs, as well as the streets
So to all you emcees, that's looking for an idol
Jalil is my name, Master Rapper's my title
[Verse Two:Ecstasy]
This beat here will be served and deserved
We'll rock on point, and turn all curves
We'll rock every beat with the greatest of ease
And if you try and drum roll us - we'll bob and weave
We'll slip and slurk, tear off our shirt
Just to show you what it's like when a rapper's at work
So from now until the man who we feel
Is gonna go rocking on the wheels of steel
Grandmaster Dee, hit me!
[Chorus]
Funky beat, funky beat, funky beat
Funky beat, funky beat, funky beat
[Verse Three:Jalil]
Now you heard DJ's on the record scratch
But how many have you heard bust a rap?
My DJ, Grandmaster Dee
He raps on the mic with Ecstasy and me
And when we're at the party, we turn it out
Cause that's what Whodini is all about
I am the rapper that they call Jalil
Master Dee is the one on the wheels of steel
Behind the turntable, one and two
Something from Whodini, special for you (yo)
You (yo) you (yo) you (yo) you (yo)
You, you, you, yo' Drew!
[Verse Four:Grandmaster Dee]
Yo last Fresh Fest I was rockin "Good Times"
This Fresh Fest I'm busting out rhymes
When I'm on the set I take total control
I rock your mind, yo' feet, your body, your soul
Other DJs may stop and stare
But when I'm on the set, I show no fear
I rock the beat because it is bad
Jam the other the DJs know that I am
Def, def, def, def, yo Ex!
[Verse Five:Ecstasy]
The point we tried to make, is simple
On the turntables he's quick and nimble
Since he's here we're gonna prove our point
Now that Whodini's inside the joint
Born and raised in the streets of Brooklyn
There are three of us, and we're all good looking
Young ladies hearts, we're sho' to win
Cause like five plus five we equal ten
So easy on the tweeter, heavy on the bass
With some help from Master Dee we're gonna rock
My time is up, it's on you Jalil
[Verse Six:Jalil]
All DJs aren’t created equal
To this rap there will be no sequel
People like you must understand
That all rap groups don't need no band
All we need in order to achieve
Is some help from the Master you better believe
And you'll get results, and not insults
And that's the way our business is dealt
[Verse Seven:Ecstasy]
The words we speak are so explicit
We rock from the Atlantic to the Pacific
We're the men with the international beeper
But call us at night because our rates are cheaper
And it's our intent to represent
The DJ that'll give you one hundred percent
Mo' excitement than a one man band
Too good to be great so we call the man Grand
Master Dee
Ooh-wee! (9x)
[Outro]
Funky beat, funky beat, funky beat
Funky beat, funky beat, funky beat
Funky beat, funky beat, funky beat
Funky beat, funky beat, funky beat
Funky beat
(Repeat 1x)
Funky Beat was written by John “Ecstasy” Fletcher & Grandmaster Dee & Jalil Hutchins & Larry Smith.
Funky Beat was produced by Larry Smith.
Whodini released Funky Beat on Tue Apr 29 1986.