George Clinton | |
|---|---|
 Clinton performing in 2007 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | George Edward Clinton (1941-07-22)July 22, 1941 (age 84) |
| Origin | Plainfield, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Works | Parliament discography Funkadelic discography |
| Years active | 1955–present[5] |
| Labels | |
| Member of | Parliament-Funkadelic |
| Formerly of | |
| Website | georgeclinton |
George Edward Clinton[6] (born July 22, 1941[7]) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and bandleader.[8] HisParliament-Funkadelic collective (which primarily recorded under the distinct band namesParliament andFunkadelic) developed an influential and eclectic form offunk music during the 1970s that drew onAfrofuturism, outlandish fashion,psychedelia, andsurreal humor.[9] He launched his solo career with the 1982 albumComputer Games and would go on to influence 1990ship-hop andG-funk.[2]
Clinton is regarded, along withJames Brown andSly Stone, as one of the foremost innovators of funk music. He was inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, alongside 15 other members of Parliament-Funkadelic. In 2019, he and Parliament-Funkadelic were givenGrammy Lifetime Achievement Awards.
George Edward Clinton was born inKannapolis, North Carolina,[8] grew up inPlainfield, New Jersey, and as of 2024[10] has lived inTallahassee, Florida for thirty years. During his teen years, Clinton formed adoo-wop group inspired byFrankie Lymon & the Teenagers calledthe Parliaments, while straightening hair at a barbershop inPlainfield, New Jersey.[11]
The West End of Plainfield was once home to a barbershop on 216 Plainfield Avenue known as "Silk Palace".[clarification needed] Owned in part by Clinton, it was staffed by various members of Parliament-Funkadelic, and known as the "hangout for all the local singers and musicians" in Plainfield's 1950s and 1960s doo-wop,soul,rock, and proto-funk music scene.[12][13][14]
For a period in the 1960s Clinton was a staff songwriter forMotown.[15] Despite initial commercial failure and one major hit single ("(I Wanna) Testify" in 1967), as well as arranging and producing scores of singles on many of the independent Detroit soul music labels, the Parliaments eventually found success under the namesParliament andFunkadelic in the 1970s (see alsoP-Funk). These two bands combined the elements of musicians such asJimi Hendrix,Sly and the Family Stone,Frank Zappa, andJames Brown while exploring various sounds, technology, and lyricism. Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic dominated Black music during the 1970s,[citation needed] with more than 40 R&B hit singles (including three number ones) and threeplatinum albums.
From 1971 to late 1973, Clinton and several other members of the band settled inToronto.[16] During their years in Toronto, they honed their live show and recorded the albumAmerica Eats Its Young, which was their first to featureBootsy Collins.
In the 1980s, Clinton began to encounter legal difficulties arising fromPolyGram's acquisition of Parliament's label,Casablanca Records.[17] He recorded several solo albums, although all of these records featured contributions from P-Funk's core musicians. This period of Clinton's career was marred by multiple legal problems resulting in financial difficulties due to royalty and copyright issues, notably withBridgeport Music, who Clinton claims fraudulently obtained the copyrights to many of his recordings.[18]
In 1982, Clinton was signed toCapitol Records under two names: his own as a solo artist, and as the P-Funk All-Stars, releasingComputer Games under his own name that same year.[2] The single "Loopzilla" hit the Top 20 on theR&B charts, followed by "Atomic Dog", which reached number one R&B and number 101 on the pop chart.[2] In the next four years, Clinton released three more studio albums(You Shouldn't-Nuf Bit Fish,Some of My Best Jokes Are Friends, andR&B Skeletons in the Closet) as well as a live album,Mothership Connection (Live from the Summit, Houston, Texas) and charting three singles in the R&B Top 30, "Nubian Nut", "Last Dance", and "Do Fries Go with That Shake?"
He is also a notable music producer who works on almost all the albums he performs on, and has produced albums forBootsy Collins andRed Hot Chili Peppers, among others. In 1985, he was recruited by the Chili Peppers to produce their albumFreaky Styley, because the band members were huge fans of his and of funk in general. Clinton wrote the vocals and lyrics to the title track, which was originally intended by the band to be left as an instrumental piece. The album was not a commercial success at the time. In 1987, Clinton was recruited to write the theme song forThe Tracey Ullman Show, "You're Thinking Right".
During the mid to late 1980s, many hip-hop and rap artists cited Clinton's earlier music as an influence. Along withJames Brown, Clinton's songs with Parliament-Funkadelic were oftensampled by rap producers.[19] "Sure, sample my stuff…" he remarked in 1996; "Ain't a better time to get paid than when you're my age. You know what to do with money. You don't buy as much pussy or drugs with it – you just buysome."[20] In 1989, Clinton releasedThe Cinderella Theory onPaisley Park,Prince's record label.
Clinton continued his work with Paisley Park withHey, Man, Smell My Finger in 1993. The year 1994 saw Clinton contribute to several tracks onPrimal Scream's studio albumGive Out But Don't Give Up. In 1995, Clinton sang "Mind Games" on theJohn Lennon tributeWorking Class Hero. Clinton then signed withSony 550 and releasedT.A.P.O.A.F.O.M.(The Awesome Power of a Fully Operational Mothership) in 1996.
Clinton appeared in films such asGraffiti Bridge (1990),House Party (1990),PCU (1994),Good Burger (1997), andThe Breaks (1999). In 1994, he appeared as the host of theanthology television filmCosmic Slop.[21] In 1997, he appeared as himself in theCartoon Network showSpace Ghost Coast to Coast. Clinton also appeared as the voice of the Funktipus, the DJ of thefunk radio station Bounce FM in the 2004 video gameGrand Theft Auto: San Andreas, in which his song "Loopzilla" also appeared.
RapperDr. Dre often sampled Clinton's music, helping to bring about theG-funk era. In 1999, Clinton collaborated withLil' Kim andFred Durst for rap metal groupMethods of Mayhem's single "Get Naked".[22] Displaying his influence on rap and hip hop, Clinton also worked withTupac Shakur on the song "Can't C Me" from the albumAll Eyez on Me;Ice Cube on the song and video for "Bop Gun (One Nation)" on theLethal Injection album (which sampled Funkadelic's earlier hit "One Nation Under a Groove");Outkast on the song "Synthesizer" from the albumAquemini;Redman on the song "J.U.M.P." from the albumMalpractice;Souls of Mischief on "Mama Knows Best" from the albumTrilogy: Conflict, Climax, Resolution;Killah Priest on "Come With me" from the albumPriesthood; theWu-Tang Clan on "Wolves" from the album8 Diagrams.
Clinton founded a record label called The C Kunspyruhzy in 2003. He had a cameo appearance in "Where Were We?", the season two premiere of theCBS television sitcomHow I Met Your Mother, on September 18, 2006. He appeared on the intro toSnoop Dogg'sTha Blue Carpet Treatment album, released in 2007. Clinton was also a judge for the 5th annual Independent Music Awards.[23] On September 16, 2008, Clinton released a solo album,George Clinton and His Gangsters of Love, onShanachie Records. Largely a covers album,Gangsters features guest appearances fromSly Stone,El DeBarge,Red Hot Chili Peppers,RZA,Carlos Santana, gospel singerKim Burrell and more.[24] On September 10, 2009, Clinton was awarded the Urban Icon Award fromBroadcast Music Incorporated.[25] The ceremony featuredP-Funk associateBootsy Collins, as well contemporary performers such asBig Boi fromOutkast andCee-Lo Green fromGoodie Mob. Also in 2009, Clinton was inducted into theNorth Carolina Music Hall of Fame.[26]
On March 7, 2010, Clinton voiced a colorful blob alien version of himself inT-Pain'sAdult Swim television movieFreaknik: The Musical. In May 2012, Clinton was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music fromBerklee College of Music. During the commencement concert, Clinton joined the college's P-Funk Ensemble to perform hits like "Testify," "Give Up the Funk," and "One Nation Under a Groove". He was accompanied by longtime horn players Bennie Cowan and Greg Thomas.[27] Clinton was a guest star inOdd Future's television showLoiter Squad onAdult Swim in 2013.
On June 27, 2015, Clinton joinedMark Ronson,Mary J. Blige andGrandmaster Flash on stage at theGlastonbury Festival to perform Ronson's hit "Uptown Funk".[28] Clinton also appears withKendrick Lamar on the song "Wesley's Theory" from the albumTo Pimp a Butterfly. In March 2017, Clinton appeared on theAdult Swim television seriesFishCenter Live.The Outline's Samuel Argyle described it as "[t]he episode that makes the most cohesive narrative sense."[29]
Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic were slated to headline the seventh annualTreefort Music Fest inBoise, Idaho in 2018.[30] The release of a newParliament album,Medicaid Fraud Dogg, was announced in March 2018. It was released May 22, 2018. In April 2018, Clinton announced that he would retire from touring in May 2019.Billboard reported that Clinton had recently had a pacemaker implanted, but he said that was not a factor in his decision.[31] He indicated that he expected Parliament-Funkadelic would continue to tour without him, saying "Truth be told, it's never really been about me. It's always been about the music and the band. That's the real P-Funk legacy. They'll still be funkin' long after I stop." Earlier in 2018, he toldRolling Stone that he had made ahologram, suggesting that the band could "have it start performing in Vegas".[32] Clinton would un-retire a few years later.[33]
In December 2018,the Recording Academy announced that Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic would be givenLifetime Achievement Awards. The awards were presented on May 11, 2019.[34][35][36] Clinton collaborated withFlying Lotus on his new albumFlamagra released on May 24, 2019. The track "Burning Down the House" was co-written by Clinton.[37] On June 26, 2019, Clinton was named as a honoree by theNational Museum of African American Music.[38]
Clinton also provided the voice of King Quincy, leader of the funk trolls, in the 2020 animated filmTrolls World Tour.[39] In 2022, Clinton competed inseason eight ofThe Masked Singer as "Gopher". After being eliminated on "Hall of Fame Night" alongsideGeorge Foreman as "Venus Fly Trap", Clinton did a performance of "Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker)" while backed up bySheila E.,Nick Cannon, andRobin Thicke.[40] He also exhibited paintings and sculptures in a solo show atJeffrey Deitch Gallery in Los Angeles with artistLauren Halsey.[41][42][43] On January 19, 2024, Clinton received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[44] On March 11, 2025, Clinton filed a $100 million lawsuit againstArmen Boladian,Bridgeport Music,Westbound Records, Nine Records, Southfield Music and Eastbound Records.
In June 2025, Clinton was inducted into theSongwriters Hall of Fame[45]
Clinton married Stephanie Lynn Clinton in 1990. In February 2013, after 22 years of marriage, he filed for divorce.[46] He is now married to Carlon Thompson-Clinton, his manager of more than 10 years.[47]
On February 1, 2010, Clinton's 50-year-old son, George Clinton Jr., was found dead in his Florida home. According to police, he died of natural causes and had been dead for several days.[48]
Clinton was inducted as an honorary member ofOmega Psi Phi on July 30, 2020.[49]
Clinton received an honorarydoctorate of humane letters fromClinton College inRock Hill, South Carolina, on May 3, 2024.[50]
| Year | Album information | Peak chart positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | |||||
| 1982 | Computer Games
| 40 | 3 | |||
| 1983 | You Shouldn't-Nuf Bit Fish
| 102 | 18 | |||
| 1985 | Some of My Best Jokes Are Friends
| 163 | 17 | |||
| 1986 | R&B Skeletons in the Closet
| 81 | 17 | |||
| 1989 | The Cinderella Theory
| 192 | 75 | |||
| 1993 | Hey, Man, Smell My Finger
| 145 | 31 | |||
| 1994 | Dope Dogs
| — | — | |||
| 1996 | T.A.P.O.A.F.O.M.
| 121 | 27 | |||
| 2005 | How Late Do U Have 2BB4UR Absent?
| — | — | |||
| 2008 | George Clinton and His Gangsters of Love
| — | 34 | |||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. | ||||||
| Year | Album information |
|---|---|
| 1976 | The Mothership Connection – Live from Houston
|
| 1990 | Live at the Beverly Theater
|
| 1995 | Mothership Connection Newberg Session
|
| 2004 | 500,000 Kilowatts of P-Funk Power (Live)
|
| 2006 | Take It to the Stage (Live)
|
| 2015 | P-Funk Live at Metropolis
|
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Go Fer Yer Funk | Nocturne |
| Plush Funk | Nocturne | |
| 1993 | P Is the Funk | Nocturne |
| Testing Positive 4 the Funk | AEM | |
| A Fifth of Funk | AEM | |
| 1995 | The Best (compilation) | P-Vine |
| Year | Album information |
|---|---|
| 1988 | Atomic Clinton! (EP)
|
| 1990 | Atomic Dog (EP)
|
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US R&B | US Dance | UK | ||||||||
| 1982 | "Loopzilla" | 19 | 48 | 57 | Computer Games | |||||
| "Atomic Dog" | 1 | 38 | 94 | |||||||
| 1983 | "Nubian Nut" | 15 | — | — | You Shouldn't-Nuf Bit Fish | |||||
| 1986 | "Do Fries Go with That Shake?" | 13 | — | 57 | R&B Skeletons in the Closet | |||||
| "R&B Skeletons (In the Closet)" | — | — | — | |||||||
| 1989 | "Why Should I Dog You Out?" | — | — | — | The Cinderella Theory | |||||
| "Tweakin'" | — | — | — | |||||||
| 1993 | "Paint the White House Black" | — | — | — | Hey Man, Smell My Finger | |||||
| "Martial Law" | — | — | — | |||||||
| 1996 | "If Anybody Gets Funked Up (It's Gonna Be You)" (asGeorge Clinton & the P-Funk All-Stars) | 13 | — | 97 | T.A.P.O.A.F.O.M. | |||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. | ||||||||||
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| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | The Night Before | Rat's Nest Band | |
| 1990 | House Party | D.J. | |
| Graffiti Bridge | George | ||
| 1994 | PCU | Himself | |
| 1997 | Good Burger | Dancing Crazy | |
| 1998 | Butter | Celebrity Guest #1 | |
| 2017 | Kuso | Doctor Clinton | |
| 2020 | Trolls: World Tour | King Quincy | Voice role |
| 2023 | Good Burger 2 | Himself |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Saturday Night Live | Himself - Musical Guest | Episode: "Anjelica Huston and Billy Martin/George Clinton" |
| 1997 | Space Ghost Coast to Coast | Himself | Episode: "Untitled" |
| Martin | Episode: "California, Here We Come - Part 2" | ||
| 2004 | The Bernie Mac Show | Episode: "Go Bernie, It's Your Birthday" | |
| 2006 | How I Met Your Mother | Episode: "Where Were We?" | |
| 2010 | Freaknik: The Musical | Alien George Clinton | Voice role; television special |
| 2013 | The Cleveland Show | Himself | Voice role; Episode: "When a Man (or a Freight Train) Loves His Cookie" |
| Loiter Squad | Episode: "Boyz in da Hood" | ||
| 2022 | The Masked Singer U.S. | 3 episodes | |
| 2023 | Agent Elvis | Voice role; Episode: "Maghrebi Mint" |
| Year | Game | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas | Bounce FM DJ "The Funktipus" (voice) | |
| 2021 | Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition | Archival recordings Remaster ofGrand Theft Auto: San Andreas only |
