Retro-futuristic funk grooves for neon-drenched nights. 97–122 BPM.
Future Funk is a genre that emerged in the 2010s, heavily sampling 1970s and 1980s funk, disco, and soul music. It combines nostalgic grooves with modern electronic production, often featuring chopped vocals, funky basslines, and upbeat rhythms. The genre is closely associated with the Vaporwave aesthetic and online music communities.
The defining artists of Future Funk — the names that shaped the sound. Tap to hear on Spotify.
The classic anthems and current essentials that define Future Funk.
Future Funk is characterized by upbeat, danceable rhythms with a strong emphasis on groovy basslines and funky guitar riffs. Tracks typically feature chopped and pitched vocal samples from 70s/80s funk and disco, layered over four-on-the-floor drum patterns with syncopated hi-hats and snare claps.
The production is clean and modern, often incorporating sidechain compression, filter sweeps, and lush reverb. The tempo ranges from 97 to 122 BPM, creating a relaxed yet energetic feel. Melodies are catchy and often built around sampled horn stabs, synth pads, and clavinet riffs.
Future Funk originated in the early 2010s within online music communities, particularly on Bandcamp and SoundCloud. It evolved from the Vaporwave scene, with artists like Macross 82-99 and Yung Bae pioneering the sound by sampling Japanese city pop and American funk/disco.
The genre gained mainstream traction through platforms like YouTube and Spotify, becoming a staple of the 'chillwave' and 'retrowave' movements. Its nostalgic yet modern appeal has made it popular among millennials and Gen Z listeners.
Culturally, Future Funk represents a fusion of past and future, celebrating the optimism of 80s consumer culture while critiquing it through digital manipulation. It has spawned a vibrant online community with its own visual aesthetics, often featuring neon colors, retro anime, and VHS-style graphics.
How Future Funk is built — drum pattern, swing, and the sounds you need.
To produce Future Funk, start with a sample from a 70s/80s funk, disco, or city pop track. Chop the sample into loops, pitch it up or down, and add a steady kick on every beat with a snare on 2 and 4. Use a swung hi-hat pattern to add groove, and layer a funky bassline that follows the sample's chord progression.
Apply sidechain compression to the bass and pads to create a pumping effect. Add effects like reverb, delay, and filter automation to give movement. The BPM should be between 100-120, with a slight swing (around 60-65% on the MPC swing setting). Common samples include horn stabs, vocal chops, and guitar licks. Use a DAW like Ableton or FL Studio, and consider using plugins like RC-20 Retro Color for a vintage feel.
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