Funkatopia's Mr. Christopher sits down with Mother's Finest legends Joyce Kennedy and Glenn Murdock for a wild chat. From potential album titles like 'Goody 2shoes and the Filthy Beasts' to stories about getting pulled over, it is a fun ride. #MothersFinest #Funkatopia

Funkatopia's Mr. Christopher joins Joyce Kennedy and Glenn Murdock of Mother's Finest backstage to discuss why modern music lacks the raw spirit and heart of struggle found in the old school. #MothersFinest #MusicHistory #RealMusic

If its the 12" version of Kiss, then A. Single version? Then Nasty all the way.

Melvin Riley of Ready for the World reveals the origin of 'Oh Sheila'—a track so funky Prince and Sheila E thought it was a secret project. From his basement to a legendary chat with Prince at Tramps, here is the real story behind the hit. #ReadyForTheWorld #MelvinRiley #80sMusic

Ever wondered about the origin of the iconic Jheri curl? Melvin Riley of Ready for the World reveals that Ms. Triplett was the mastermind behind their signature look, with the style even catching the attention of Jamie Foxx. #ReadyForTheWorld #JheriCurl

NAME THAT FAVORITE TRACK! 54 YEARS AGO TODAY, Stevie Wonder released his epic 15th album Talking Book. He had just turned 21 and completely restructured his contract with Motown giving him unfettered creative freedom. The content was also his most adult to date including covering his collapsing marriage to Syreeta Wright (You Are the Sunshine of My Life and Blame It on the Sun) and even political commentary (Superstition and Big Brother). The album would kick off a run of legendary albums including Innervisions, Fulfillingness' First Finale, and Songs in the Key of Life. All back to back. But this album started that historic period of Stevie Wonder's career where the world was at his command. 1. You Are the Sunshine of My Life (2:58) 2. Maybe Your Baby (6:51) 3. You and I (We Can Conquer the World) (4:38) 4. Tuesday Heartbreak (3:02) 5. You've Got It Bad Girl (4:56) 6. Superstition (4:26) 7. Big Brother (3:34) 8. Blame It on the Sun (3:26) 9. Lookin' for Another Pure Love (4:44) 10. I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever) (4:51)

NAME THAT FAVORITE TRACK! 44 Years Ago, Prince released his 5th studio album, the iconic 1999. Hands down, my absolute favorite Prince album. Of all of Prince's releases, it is the truest in form to his contribution to funk from beginning to end. The album was recorded at Prince’s Kiowa Trail Home Studio in Chanhassen, MN and also at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, California. The album featured a good bit of singles including 1999 leading the way, then Little Red Corvette, Delirious, Automatic, and Let’s Pretend We’re Married. It was Prince's first double album that would further establish him as a household name following Controversy and of course, right before Purple Rain that would solidify that position. The album was written and performed completely by Prince although there were other vocal contributions including Lisa Coleman (1999, Little Red Corvette, Delirious, D.M.S.R., Automatic and Free), Jill Jones (1999, background vocals on Automatic, Free and Lady Cab Driver), Dez Dickerson (1999, and vocals and guitar solo on Little Red Corvette), Jesse Johnson (1999), Vanity and Wendy Melvoin on Free, and a wealth of other singers and hand claps on D.M.S.R. including Brown Mark, Jamie Shoop, Carol McGovney, and Peggy McCreary 1999 (6:22) Little Red Corvette (4:58) Delirious (3:56) Let’s Pretend We’re Married (7:20) D.M.S.R. (8:15) Automatic (9:27) Something In The Water (Does Not Compute) (4:00) Free (5:08) Lady Cab Driver (8:25) All The Critics Love U In New York (5:55) International Lover (6:37)

NAME THAT FAVORITE TRACK! 17 Years Ago Today, Jesse Johnson released Verbal Penetration, which contained 2 discs labeled Volume 1 and 2. Volume 1 kicks off with driving, urgent funk anthems like the title track and 100 Watts Of Funky, blends in pointed political commentary like Propaganda, and dips into smooth soul with Sheila Rae. Then you're blessed with Volume 2 that is is relentlessly avant-garde with spoken-word interludes, meditation tracks, an audio interview track with Jesse himself, and a massive 8-minute sci-fi narrative track called Redemption For The Soul, Enlightenment For The Earhole and other indelible moments like the jazz-heavy instrumental Ali Vs Frazier. While it was the last album he released, there is a voluminous release currently in the works that should be coming soon according to Jesse Johnson's multiple Funkatopia interviews. Like its predecessor Bare My Naked Soul, Verbal Penetration highly focuses on his incredible blaring guitar work front and center. The album was primarily all Jesse Johnson with contributions from other artists including David Cochrane, Sueann Carwell, and Kim Riley. The album being out of print makes this a very difficult album to find, but if you're lucky enough to own it, you should treasure it, and hold onto it dearly. It's a masterpiece. Volume One • 1-1. V.P. Introduction • 1-2. Verbal Penetration • 1-3. Propaganda • 1-4. U & I R We R Us • 1-5. 100 Watts Of Funky • 1-6. Merciful • 1-7. Don't Throw Yourself Away • 1-8. Slo Burnin • 1-9. Sheila Rae • 1-10. Love Letters • 1-11. Dream Interlude • 1-12. Slave 2 R Freedom • 1-13. We Ain't Going Nowhere Interlude • 1-14. We R So Strong • 1-15. Beautiful Sadie • 1-16. Prologue Volume Two • 2-1. Intro • 2-2. Get Next To You • 2-3. Ali Vs Frazier • 2-4. Redemption For The Soul, Enlightenment For The Earhole • 2-5. Please Let Me Go • 2-6. Meditation 01: Astrology • 2-7. You Have A Friend • 2-8. Reflections • 2-9. Meditation 02: Self-Love • 2-10. Letters From A Soldier (Reprise) • 2-11. In The Key Of Nudity • 2-12. V.P. Credits • 2-13. Peace Be With You (Reprise)

Ever wonder the story behind Ceramic Girl? Melvin Riley of Ready for the World joins Mr. Christopher on Funkatopia to share why he wrote the track about embracing natural beauty over heavy makeup during his high school years. #ReadyForTheWorld #MelvinRiley #Funkatopia

Melvin Riley of Ready for the World joins Mr. Christopher of Funkatopia to recount the legendary moment they handed their demo to Detroit DJ The Electrifying Mojo, launching their career overnight as a mystery radio act. #ReadyForTheWorld #MelvinRiley #DetroitMusic

Legendary drummer Jellybean Johnson joins Mr. Christopher on Funkatopia to pull back the curtain on The Time's vault. He confirms the mystery of the 'Old Dogs, New Tricks' album and reveals the true origin story behind the classic 'Pandemonium' record. #JellybeanJohnson #TheTime

Jellybean Johnson reveals the harsh reality of touring with Prince. As The Time gained fame, they were squeezed off stage and even hidden behind curtains to back Vanity 6 in major markets. The only retribution? Leaving it all on the stage. #JellybeanJohnson #Prince #TheTime

SHOW YOUR LOVE! A Happy 75th Birthday Funkin' Birthday to the legend William "Bootsy" Collins! There can be no other Baby Bubba!

Jellybean Johnson reveals the chaos between Prince and The Time. #JellybeanJohnson #Prince #TheTime