Musician George Clinton poses at the premiere of the film, "Spinning Gold," Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Legendary funk icon George Clinton is bringing the groove back home to New Jersey on June 29 with a special performance at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park during the Prudential North to Shore Festival.
Known for blending rock, funk, and alternative sounds, Clinton was the mastermind behind the band Parliament Funkadelic (P-Funk), known for hits like “Atomic Dog,” “We Want the Funk,” and “Flashlight.” And he promises an electrifying show filled with high energy, community spirit, and plenty of dancing.
Ahead of the show, Mosaic caught up with Clinton who discussed legacy, music, and funk and reflected on his deep Jersey roots and the power of music to unite and inspire freedom.
Q: You’ve performed all over the world, but playing the Stone Pony, a venue with deep rock and soul roots, must carry some weight. What does this stage mean to you?
A: It’s Jersey baby. New Jersey is my home state. Since I was a kid, fishing on the shore and spending time in places like Wildwood, Asbury, and Atlantic City was always so fun to me. I even lived there and had a barbershop in Plainfield, so going back feels like returning home, surrounded by familiar faces.
Q: The North to Shore Festival celebrates innovation, creativity, and community. How do your music and message align with those themes?
A: We’re excited to share the stage with Living Colour. It’s going to be a special event blending rock, funk, and alternative music. Our sound is global and performing our rock heritage together in a funky neighborhood is going to be a lot of fun.
Q: P-Funk has always pushed boundaries sonically and culturally. What do you think young artists can learn from the movement you created?
A: The idea is that we can all come together as “one nation under a groove,” even while keeping that playful, competitive spirit that’s part of the culture. Punk brings its own unique flavor to that vibe, making it more fun and unifying.
Q: You’ve worked with a broad spectrum of artists across genres. Are there any newer musicians or producers today who remind you of that fearless funk energy?
A: There are a few artists out there really doing it big. For example, Kendrick Lamar proved to me exactly what I saw in him when we worked on “To Pimp a Butterfly” five years ago. Beyoncé is another one, consistently delivering at that high level, and there are even some films out now that are hitting just as hard.
Q: You’ve said that funk is about freedom. In today’s world, what does “freedom through funk” mean to you now?
A: Freedom means being able to express yourself, evolve, and reinvent who you are whenever you choose. Artists like Snoop embody that spirit because he’s constantly rebranding because he carries that punk energy that allows for limitless transformation.
Q: As you gear up for this show at the North to Shore Festival, what can fans expect from your performance - any surprises or special moments planned for the Jersey crowd?
A: It’s going to be a whole lot of dancing for wherever we play. People will be bouncing all over the place, having a great time. Even my wife’s out here dancing and getting ready for the show. Prepare for a lot of fun and a ton of energy.
The show kicks off at 5 p.m. at the Stone Pony, 913 Ocean Ave., in Asbury Park. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.
Stories by Deion Johnson
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