Introducing himself to world of Reddit last night as, “Dr. Funkenstein, leader of Parliament & Funkadelic, Godfather of funk, and the DNA of hip-hop and rap”, Funk legend George Clinton took on one of the internet’s best interview formats - the Reddit Ask Me Anything.

If you like your Funk, then George Clinton needs no introduction. His name is synonymous with the genre, and is considered alongside artists such as James Brown and Sly & The Family Stone as an innovator and pioneer of the genre.

Reddit’s AMA is as straightforward as it seems - Users can pose any question, no matter how obscure or crude, with the interviewee typing back their answers for all to see. With no real rules, AMA provides some of the best stories and answers, with the interviewee going for as long as they can handle!

Here are some of our favourite questions and answers, compiled into a -sort of- interview:

 

George, what planet are you from?

The planet Sirius better known as the Dogstar. Sirius A and sometimes known as Sirius B.

How does one measure Funk? How do I know if I got the Funk?

You’ll know if you got the funk. Your booty will tell you. Your butt will move involuntarily and will feel good.

What are some entertaining Bootsy stories?

We were driving into Toronto together and were contacted by a UFO. We saw a flashing light hit the ground first in front of our car. Three or four minutes late we saw it again two times, hit the street.Then the light hit the car and the light turned ti liquid like mercury from a thermometer, beaded up and rolled off the car. All the street lights went out slowly as we passed. We looked behind us it was dark. Bootsy wasn’t scared, he thought I know what was going on. We weren’t high, because we just crossed the border. We eventually arrived home and walked in the house an my daughter said, you all acting like you just saw a ghost! I didn’t event think about it until later, why were we seeing light in daylight. I had to call Bootsy to confirm what time of day it was. We lost a lot of time that day and didn’t realize it until years later.

What’s the craziest thing you have seen at a performance? Please be as detailed as possible.

Norman, Oklahoma. 1978. A girl came up on stage in overalls. Dropped her pants to her ankles. Turned around. Put a joint up her butt. And blew three smoke rings. We couldn’t finish the show because we couldn’t stop laughing. We tried 3 or 4 times to continue. Even took a break and we couldn’t stop laughing.

In what ways has funk surprised you over the years?

It don’t surprise me but I see the surprised look on people’s face when they see the Funk coming back 40 years, 50 years, 60 years. It doesn’t go away. Funk is forever coming.

Was there any counter movement or objection to Funk music, or was it a type of music that was accepted by everyone at the time? What treatment did you receive once you guys became a more well-known act?

We were too black for white folk. And too white for black folks. But as time passed, more people got on board. By the time we released Mothership Connection we had a huge fan base. We’ve been one nation under a groove ever since.

Is there anything you remember about producing for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers?

I remember the socks they were wearing were too big. I had to buy them some snuffleupagus jock straps.

Do you have anything to say about Sun Ra and his Arkestra?

He was one of my neighbors in outer space. Him and Jimi Hendrix. They lived in some cosmic projects not far from me.

Can you explain the ‘dooloop’ part of ‘Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadooloop’? Follow up question: How does Sir Nose feel about water these days?

Dooloop is that looping of the concept around jumping in and out of water. You can’t swim but you do it again over and over again. Sir Nose don’t have no sense in his brain. Its snot logical. The membrains in your nose don’t have any sense. So he keeps jumping in the water not realizing that he can’t swim til he’s in there.

Who is your favourite bass player, and why is it Bootsy Collins?

Larry Graham or Bootsy… Its like choosing which of my nuts I prefer.

What music do you enjoy listening to currently?

Flying Lotus, Cardi B, Kendrick Lamar, Jay Z’s new album, Tra’Zae, and all that shit coming out of Atlanta. All that trap shit. I’m trapped in it. Medicaid Fraud Dog, that’s on my mind right now.

Do you have a favourite producer you’ve been listening to recently?

Pharrell is a PHENOMENAL producer, one of the best around. And he’s been around a while. He picked up with Terry Riley and kept going.

You are a legend, but did you ever end up getting that pet skunk that you wanted?

No I got a pig instead. His name was Officer Gibbles.

 

For the whole thread with some even funkier Q & As, click here!