What Is Neofunk?
I wish to clear up the misconceptions surrounding neofunk for all my neosouljas reading.
First of all, neofunk is a MOVEMENT, a gathering of like-minded minds for the purpose of definition. Definition as in defining ourselves, our identity. We don’t fit into your preconcieved notions or boxes. We don’t fit into your narrow minded marketing sectors. We love hip-hop and rock. We love folk and metal. We love electronica and blues.
Sometimes we wear tight clothes and sometimes we wear baggy. Sometimes we appear thuggish and sometimes we appear effeminate. We can rock tattoos and makeup, and we don’t care if you try and demoralise us or make snap, uninformed judgements about our lifestyles, our appearance, our sexuality. It doesn’t matter how you try to slur us – We’re comfortable with who we are – how about you? We are NEOSOULJAS and we run circles around your backwards, non-progressive asses. We’re all the way in 2020 and you guys still haven’t caught up to 1999.
Second of all, neofunk is a sound. I created that sound, but although I invented it, I don’t exclusively own it. Back in 2007, the word entered my consciousness. I did interview after interview whereby the question was repeatedly asked of the nature of my solo material. Genre after genre after subgenre after subgenre entered my head, all of which had influenced me one way or another. But like I said – I don’t fit into your checkboxes. You aren’t going to label me that easily. I’m going to label myself. I’m going to describe my own style. Thus NEOFUNK was born and I invite you all to join me. This is our categorization. This is our identity, for anyone that feels trapped within existing boxes that society says you can’t transcend. We are NEOSOULJAS and we transcend all of that through NEOFUNK.
Finally, there are biters out there. I see them ripping off our words, our styles, our sounds. But they are making weak imitations. They try and brand things together for their own purposes – things that don’t fit. They haven’t thought it through. These people are only out for themselves. They claim to be progressive, but their claims are fraudelent. They don’t understand the conceptions and the definitions of what is behind our movement or what is under the surface, yet they still attempt to copy, without realizing. NEOFUNK is like an iceberg! What you see above the surface is only a small fraction! Copy, copy, copy, is all they do, while we continue to innovate at every turn.
Neofunk is a movement that will continue to spread. We have ways, means, plans, and most of all – a tangible identity that only seeks the truth. No matter how much they try to imitate, there is only our truth, and the people know what it is. Don’t think your imitation is going unnoticed and don’t mistakenly believe that your actions do not have consequences.
THIS IS NEOFUNK.
Peace out, NEOSOULJAS
S-Endz AKA Casey Rain The Neosoulja