Produced, Composed, Performed & Mixed by Waynebo for Exodus Music

Let the FUNK continue!
If 80’s synthpop can make a comeback re-branded as Synthwave, then there is definitely room for the funk of the late 70’s and early 80’s. A good ‘ol nasty, in-the-pocket groove will always get toes tappin’ and booty’s shakin’.

That is all I was aiming for when I began making this track. It was gonna be an instrumental. And then at about 1:00 a.m. as I was beginning to shut things down for the night, the hook fell into my spirit. I actually started laughing. I had literally started to turn the lights off when I heard the chant.

Now, due to writer’s block that I never really worked through, I haven’t seriously written lyrics in about 15 years so I was a bit caught off guard by this moment of inspiration – that’s why I laughed. I turned the lights back on, plugged up my microphone, and recorded the hook that you hear on this track that night. At that moment, I knew I had something hot. A funk anthem! I also wrote the 1st verse that night as well. I rode around bumping that rough draft in my car for a few months conceptualizing what I wanted this track to be. The lyrical inspiration changed the entire direction of the EP.

I left some space for improvisation and my muse delivered the lyrics to the intro as I began to record the final vocals. The unexpected return of my lyrical muse and Rakim’s 1997 track inspired me to remind you all that it’s “It’s Been A Long Time”. A long time since I had used my voice on a track. A long time since FUNK has been a part of the conversation in American music.
Even though I am in my 50’s, I am still finding my way as an artist. Still figuring out what I want to sound like and what I want to say. I was content to just do instrumentals, but this track changes things a bit. Stay tuned. We’ll see what happens.

Needless to say, this is a song that I am VERY exited to deliver to you.
The only thing left is to ponder and seek to answer the ultimate soul-searching question every musician must face:

CAN YOU MAKE IT STANK?

Lyrics

Once upon a time in the American mainstream
The sweat dripped down and the funk reigned supreme
But now we’ve been pushed to the side
Not much left in the bank
Well tonight we gon’ bet that last dollar
We can still sho’ nuff make it STANK!

Can you make it stank?
(sniff, sniff, sniff)
I don’t think I can smell it yet
Can you make it stank?
I want it to stank
PLEASE……

My name is Waynebo. And I have approved this message.

In the midst of the vibe (Nah, we want the funk)
The groove almost died (Nah, we want the funk)
Then it found the will to survive (Uh uh, we need the funk)
And the funk came alive (Yeah, Dat funk)

We make it hot, don’t need no blanket
Got dat funk so it gotta be stankin’

Can you make it stank?
Ooh yeah
It’s comin’ It’s comin’
I don’t know if it’s stankin’ yet
But it’s comin’
And now the day has arrived (Nah, we want the funk)
Trap music got all the funkmasters standin’ outside (Nah, we want the funk)
Wondering if our thang is still gon’ survive (Uh uh, we need the funk)
Yeah?
WELL THE FUNK IS STILL ALIVE (Yeah, Dat funk)
Come on, we make it hot!

We make it hot, don’t need no blanket
Got dat funk so it gotta be stankin’

Can you make it stank?!
Ooooooh…. (sniff, sniff, sniff)
STANKIN…
Ooh, it’s stankin (sniff, sniff, sniff)
Ooh, it’s stankin!!
I love it!
Ooh I love it!!
yeahoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hooooooo!!!!!

It’s been a long time
It’s been a long time
It’s been a long time
It’s been a long time
It’s been a long time
Yo, It’s been a long time

Ay yo, it’s been a while
Since that funk ruled the airwaves
People think the music don’t stank no more
So to all my funkmasters out there
When they tell you it don’t stank no mo’
Here’s what you do

Just make ‘em dance til the sweat drip to da’ floor
When they tell you that music don’t stank no more

We make it hot, don’t need no blanket
Got dat funk so it gotta be stankin’