Funk U Up
Encyclopedia
"Funk U Up" is the third single
from Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets
' self-titled album Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets
.
The song is a blend of hip-hop and Turner’s 70s funk guitar stylings. The rapping is courtesy of the Modern Day Poets
, while Turner performs the instrumentation, chorus, bridge, and a beatboxing
solo. It is interesting to note that "Funk U Up" is one of the few tracks on Turner’s debut album that contains a real beat rather than vocal percussion. Lyrically, it is said to be about "getting women to dance and for men to stop drinking at the bar, get off their bar stools and join the ladies on the dance floor".
The video for the song features both live and candid footage of Turner and his crew on their first national tour, much of which also appears on the DVD Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets with the Beatbox Alliance
. There are also black-and-white scenes of the gang performing the song in a Newcastle
hotel room. As a side note, the director Amiel Courtin-Wilson claims that of all the clips he has done for the group, this is the one that Turner is happiest with.
"Funk U Up", which was released on May 2, 2005, peaked at #13 on the ARIA
singles chart and spent two weeks at #1 in Turner’s home state of Queensland
. It was also nominated for Most Performed Urban Work at the 2006 APRA Awards
.
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
from Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets
Joel Turner (musician)
Joel Turner is an Australian beatboxer, singer, songwriter, instrumentalist and record producer best known for the Australian hit song "These Kids". As a beatboxer, he is recognised for his raw power, deep bass, and trademark sounds such as his "third voice", cowbell, teeth beats and bass guitar...
' self-titled album Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets
Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets (album)
Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets is a collaborative studio album from Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets. It was released on 1 November 2004, peaking at #28 on the ARIA albums chart and #2 on the AIR independent charts, additionally achieving platinum status.The album consists of twelve full...
.
The song is a blend of hip-hop and Turner’s 70s funk guitar stylings. The rapping is courtesy of the Modern Day Poets
Joel Turner (musician)
Joel Turner is an Australian beatboxer, singer, songwriter, instrumentalist and record producer best known for the Australian hit song "These Kids". As a beatboxer, he is recognised for his raw power, deep bass, and trademark sounds such as his "third voice", cowbell, teeth beats and bass guitar...
, while Turner performs the instrumentation, chorus, bridge, and a beatboxing
Beatboxing
Beatboxing is a form of vocal percussion primarily involving the art of producing drum beats, rhythm, and musical sounds using one's mouth, lips, tongue, and voice. It may also involve singing, vocal imitation of turntablism, and the simulation of horns, strings, and other musical instruments...
solo. It is interesting to note that "Funk U Up" is one of the few tracks on Turner’s debut album that contains a real beat rather than vocal percussion. Lyrically, it is said to be about "getting women to dance and for men to stop drinking at the bar, get off their bar stools and join the ladies on the dance floor".
The video for the song features both live and candid footage of Turner and his crew on their first national tour, much of which also appears on the DVD Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets with the Beatbox Alliance
Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets with the Beatbox Alliance
Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets with the Beatbox Alliance is a DVD released by Australian hip hop musician Joel Turner. It was Turner's first DVD release and contains live performances...
. There are also black-and-white scenes of the gang performing the song in a Newcastle
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
hotel room. As a side note, the director Amiel Courtin-Wilson claims that of all the clips he has done for the group, this is the one that Turner is happiest with.
"Funk U Up", which was released on May 2, 2005, peaked at #13 on the ARIA
Australian Recording Industry Association
The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956...
singles chart and spent two weeks at #1 in Turner’s home state of Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
. It was also nominated for Most Performed Urban Work at the 2006 APRA Awards
Australasian Performing Right Association
The Australasian Performing Right Association is a copyright collective representing New Zealand and Australian composers, lyricists and music publishers. The association's head offices located in Sydney Australia, and it has branch offices in Auckland, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth...
.
Track listing
- "Funk U Up"
Writers: J. Turner, T. Turner, C. Turner
Producers: Joel Turner, Craig Porteils - "Throw Your Hands Up"
Writer: J. Turner
Producer: Mr. Timothy - "Knock U Out" (Video)