Funky Friday Ep. 18 – Funk Drummers Who Hit Heavy on the One

Noah McDonough
Jun 3
2 min read

Updated: Jul 16

Writer: Noah McDonough | 📅 June 5, 2025 | ⏱️ 3 min read

🥁 The Drummers Who Brought the Funk

This week’s episode of Funky Friday is all about the groove beneath the groove.Episode 18, Heavy on the One, pays tribute to the drummers—the heartbeat of funk—whose rhythms shaped generations and sent hips moving across decades.

Whether it’s Clyde Stubblefield laying down the DNA of hip-hop, Zigaboo Modeliste conjuring New Orleans swagger, or Adam Deitch building futuristic funk with Lettuce, this set was stacked wall-to-wall with rhythmic architects.

🎧 Listen Now

KDOG Radio – Funky Friday (9–10 AM PT)🔗 [Replay coming soon]📡 Stream live every Friday at live365.com/station/KDOG-Radio-a56690

🔥 Featured Drummers & Tracks

Clyde Stubblefield – “Cold Sweat” – James BrownThe most sampled drummer in history, Clyde defined “The One”—funk’s most sacred beat.

David Garibaldi – “Soul Vaccination” – Tower of PowerSynced with surgical precision, Garibaldi fused jazz chops with streetwise timing.

Zigaboo Modeliste – “Hey Pocky A-Way” – The MetersSecond-line syncopation meets swamp funk. Nobody grooves like Zig.

John “Jabo” Starks – “Doing It to Death” – Fred Wesley & The New JB’sNo frills. Just pulse. Jabo laid it down with patience and power.

Jerome Brailey – “Do That Stuff” – ParliamentP-Funk's backbone during the Mothership years. Rhythmic wizardry in space boots.

Willie Sparks – “Hair” – Graham Central StationA gospel-fueled engine for Larry Graham’s pioneering slap funk.

Greg Errico – “Sing a Simple Song” – Sly & the Family StonePsychedelic funk meets explosive drive. Errico never missed a beat.

Everett Collins – “Fight the Power” – The Isley BrothersMinimalist. Fierce. Focused. Collins made every hit count.

Sheila E. – “The Glamorous Life”A firework in heels. Sheila brought Latin rhythms into Prince’s purple universe.

Adam Deitch – “Phyllis” – LettuceModern funk’s torchbearer—fusing soul, jazz, and hip-hop into fluid fire.

📡 Bonus: Renegade Chronicles Premiere

After Funky Friday wraps, we will premier something brand new: the first episode of Renegade Chronicles for radio, featuring guest Keith Battle.

🎙️ About Renegade ChroniclesRenegade Chronicles is a podcast for the rule breakers, creative outliers, and brave builders doing things their own way. Each episode dives into the real stories behind people who challenge systems, trust their instincts, and carve out unconventional paths — not just in business or art, but in life.

In Episode 1, motion designer and educator Keith Battle joins host Noah McDonough to talk about tactical creativity, time as armor, and what it really means to “do it your way.” It’s raw, inspiring, and the perfect follow-up to a morning full of funk.