Five Fingers of Funk

# Five Fingers of Funk

Five Fingers of Funk is an American hip-hop group formed in 1992, based in Portland, Oregon. The collective stands out for their instrumental-driven approach to hip-hop production, blending live musicianship with turntablism rather than relying on electronic sampling. Their sound fuses classic funk influences—drawing from Bootsy Collins, James Brown, Sly Stone, and Funkadelic—with 1990s hip-hop aesthetics, creating a distinctive sonic palette built on keyboards, drums, bass, horn sections, and vinyl.

The group’s live ensemble format and commitment to organic sound design positioned them as a notable force in Portland’s underground hip-hop scene, performing at key venues including La Luna, Satyricon, and Roseland Theater. Their approach represents an important counter-movement within 90s hip-hop, emphasizing the interplay between live instrumentation and turntable culture.