George Clinton on Writing Funk Classics, Sampling, Grammys, and Leading the Funkadelic Family #62
In this episode, Elmo Lovano sits down with the iconic George Clinton for what many are calling their favorite George Clinton interview yet. George is the mastermind behind Parliament-Funkadelic, the originator of P-Funk, and a driving force in musical innovation across genres and generations. In this lively and insightful episode, Clinton takes us on a journey through his legendary career, sharing untold stories behind his most famous songs, his thoughts on leadership, the evolution of funk, sampling, and his continued relevance in today’s music world, including a Grammy nomination for his latest audiobook.
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About the Guest: George Clinton
George Clinton is a true pioneer of American music. From his early days as a doo-wop singer to his reign at the helm of Parliament-Funkadelic, Clinton has continually reinvented himself and his sound. Known for genre-bending hits like “Atomic Dog,” “Give Up the Funk,” and “Flashlight,” Clinton has influenced entire generations of musicians, from rock to hip-hop. He’s a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and now, a Grammy nominee for his audiobook And Your Ass Will Follow. Clinton’s leadership, willingness to evolve, and embrace of community have ensured the enduring success of the P-Funk family, with his children and grandchildren now carrying the torch.
Episode Summary
Elmo kicks off the show celebrating the new year and the podcast’s first episode of 2025 by welcoming George Clinton, hot off a Grammy nomination. The conversation dives deep into the making of Clinton’s most iconic tracks, the wild stories from inside the studio, the foundational days of Parliament and Funkadelic, and Clinton’s unorthodox and visionary embrace of sampling that enabled the golden era of hip-hop. Clinton also sheds light on the ongoing legal battles for artists’ rights and his philosophy of constant reinvention—always listening to the youth and always ready to adapt. The episode closes with reflections on legacy, family, and even some far-out talk about AI, aliens, and the future.
Key Highlights
The Birth of Funkadelic and the Power of Reinvention
One of the most fascinating parts of the episode is Clinton’s look back at the origins of Funkadelic and Parliament. He talks about how, after the early doo-wop and Motown days, the music world was changing fast in the late ’60s—The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, and British rock were redefining the landscape. Clinton recognized that to stay relevant, he needed to merge the soulful lyricism and pop hooks of Motown with the psychedelic experimentation and rawness of rock and blues.
He credits his time at Motown’s publishing company and his experience in a barbershop—where quick adaptation is everything—for teaching him to embrace change rapidly. Clinton points out, “If you old, you need to get out of the way,” showing his entrepreneurial drive to always let the youth dictate the next direction and to never get stuck in the past. This mindset led to the constant evolution of his sound and the expansion of the P-Funk universe.
Community, Family, and Leadership
Clinton’s leadership extended far beyond being a frontman. He talks about building an ever-expanding creative community—making everyone who worked with the band, from lawyers to engineers, feel part of the family. This sense of community and inclusivity, of passing the baton forward, is why the Parliament-Funkadelic legacy endures. Today, Clinton tours with his children, grandchildren, and fellow bandmates’ families—proof that his spirit of collaboration and his love for the music lives on in the next generations.
Creating Iconic Tracks: Studio Stories from the Funk Laboratory
Clinton offers captivating behind-the-scenes glimpses into the creation of funk staples:
- Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker): The iconic groove came from a playful riff on David Bowie’s “Fame,” twisted into something new—“Oh, we want the funk, give up the funk”—and layered with chants and big band-style arrangements, courtesy of the stellar horn section that included Fred Wesley and Maceo Parker.
- Flashlight: Originally a track Bootsy Collins handed over, the song became a classic when keyboard maestro Bernie Worrell added the revolutionary Moog synth bassline, applying classical technique to a James Brown-style groove. The chorus melody? In a revelation, Clinton shares it’s inspired by his childhood friend’s bar mitzvah practice—a testament to how inspiration can come from anywhere.
- Atomic Dog: Possibly the wildest of all, “Atomic Dog” was born out of a chaotic studio session involving two drummers, backwards tape, and Clinton ad-libbing vocals while tripping—waiting for a key that never arrived. The result? A song that, as Clinton laughs, “came out much better than it should have come out.”
Sampling: From Lawsuits to Innovation
Where many of his peers fought against hip-hop’s voracious sampling of their catalogs, Clinton embraced it. He saw early on that sampling was a path to relevance for older music, keeping the funk alive across generations. Clinton even released “sample packs”—tracks broken apart to make sampling easier for young producers, especially on the West Coast. It proved to be an industry-changing move, as legends like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, and Kendrick Lamar built on Clinton’s foundations.
Of course, not everything was smooth—Clinton discusses the legal struggles for fair compensation, not just for him but for the entire extended Parliament-Funkadelic family and their heirs. With attorney Ben Crump and support from government officials, Clinton is optimistic that justice will finally be served.
Legacy, Adaptation, and Looking to the Future
Elmo and Clinton discuss the importance of legacy, not just in terms of accolades, but in building something lasting and empowering the community. Clinton reflects on how technology—from tape and records to the internet to AI—demands adaptability, and how he continually seeks out the new. He draws parallels between the old backlash against sampling and the controversies now swirling around AI in music, ultimately arguing for openness to evolution.
The conversation closes on cosmic notes—talking aliens, multiverses, and Clinton’s hope to remain around to witness humanity’s next leaps, whether through longevity or clone.
Final Thoughts
This episode is an essential listen for anyone interested in the DNA of American music. George Clinton is a treasure trove of stories, wisdom, and innovation. His willingness to pivot, collaborate, and embrace the future—whether that’s funky Moog basslines, hip-hop sampling, or life beyond the planet—is a blueprint for staying relevant in any era. As he says, “Just getting started. Let’s go.”
If you haven’t already, check out George Clinton’s Grammy-nominated audiobook And Your Ass Will Follow on Audible, and watch out for the forthcoming biopic starring Eddie Murphy. The mothership continues to fly high.
Listen to the full episode of “Go With Elmo” for all the laughs, deep cuts, and cosmic inspiration from Dr. Funkenstein himself!
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