Legend and pioneer of Funk Bootsy Collins isn’t content with people just being aware of the bits and pieces of Funk. So he decided to take it in his own hands to bring Funk history to a new generation by launching his own school.
Echoing a cry heard in music circles around the world Collins laid in on the fact the younger generations forget the contributions yesterday Funk architects and pioneers. He attributes it to their lack of a good Funk history lesson.
Collins has decided to take it up on himself to be the personal ambassador and to spread the history of Funk in a whole new and creative way by launching his own online Funk University .
Shedding light on the situation Collins states, “All they know is who their favorite bass player or guitarist is now. They have no idea how to connect those dots, where this style or this music comes from.”
Collins will create his online bass school called Funk University. He’s co-creating and curating the site with actor Cory Danziger. Collins will offer exclusive lectures on the site and also invite several leading bass players to lend their knowledge to the cause.
Students who enroll will receive instructional support, lessons, staff reviews. Some of the leading bass players will also become teachers and in the future Collins plans to add other instruments to the curriculum.
Collins has had a long and seasoned career. He has played with some of the most influential musical acts including being recruited by the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, when Collins was 19. After a strict course it what it meant to work in the Godfather’s employ – Collins felt he needed freedom from the rigourous discipline of a perfectionist like Brown and waded and happened upon Funk’s mad scientist George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic.
Classes do come with a fee with monthly enrollment starting out at $34.99 and packages going for $189.99 for a six month course or a full year at $349.99.
Giving himself a review on how he’d be as a professor of Funk, Collins offered some flavor for future students and those who follow his Funk saying, “I never looked at myself as a teacher,” he admitted. “I am a good book. All people have to do is read me.”