Few artists have been as crucial in guiding funk’s legacy as producer, DJ and record collector extraordinaire DāM-FunK. He may have been born in 1971, in Pasadena, California, but his explorations within the genre sound like they could’ve come from any decade between then and now. Honing his approach since his teens, DāM-FunK worked as a session musician throughout the ‘90s, playing on records by Mack 10 and MC Eiht. He signed to Stones Throw Records as a solo artist, and in 2009 released Rhythm Trax, Vol. 4 and Toeachizown, an epic modern funk odyssey highlighted by the G-funk-adjacent “Hood Pass Intact.” His collaborations throughout the years with Nite Jewel, Christine and the Queens and Snoop Dogg (with whom he made the 2013 album 7 Days of Funk) only further showcase his range and his ability to bring funk into any musical conversation. He remains prolific as ever, releasing four albums in 2021 alone, as well as hosting Glydezone Radio on Apple Music Hits.