"Funk It Up" is a song recorded by Japanese R&B singer Toshinobu Kubota for his eighth studio album, ''Sunshine, Moonlight'' (1995). The song was written by Kubota and produced by Kubota, Kim Burse, Camus Mare Celli.

Background

Originally, the song was recorded in Japanese language under the name of "D.J. Fonk", which on his seventh album "Bumpin' Voyage". In 1995, Kubota recorded the song in English language for first English-language album "

Sunshine, Moonlight ''Sunshine Moonlight'' is the eighth studio album of Japanese singer Toshinobu Kubota, released on September 5, 1995. The album credited under the name, Toshi Kubota. This was also Kubota's first English-language album. The album's musical style ...

. It also features background vocals from Alex Alexander, Kim Burse, Camus Mare Celli, Eric Cody,

Nile Rodgers Nile Gregory Rodgers Jr. (born September 19, 1952) is an American musician, record producer and composer. The co-founder of Chic, Rodgers has written, produced, and performed on records that have sold more than 500 million albums and 75 million ...

, and Thorn. The song became Kubota's first international single release outside Japan. In October 1995, the maxi single EP charted at number 91 on the Oricon Weekly Singles chart. The single dropped the chart in the same week of its debut.

Music video

In 1995, Kubota shot a music video for the song. The concept of the music video features Kubota in a room, along with his band, singing the song. He also seen standing between two walls and dancing to the music. Another scene takes place with Kubota in a room filled only with white balloons. There are also scenes of girl with an afro, a couple standing in front of grocery store shelf, and several other people making different statements. Several cartoon clips, such a fire-breathing dragon and a panda with a ray gun, are also used in music video. It is also noted that several of Kubota's scenes are contrasted in black-and-white.

Track listing

*Maxi single #Funk It Up (Morales Club of Funk Mix) #Funk It Up (Dub of Funky Mix) #Funk It Up (Funky & Lifted Mix) #Funk It Up (All Star Street Funk Mix) #Funk It Up (All Star Street Funk Mix Acappella) *Maxi single EP #Funk It Up (LP Funk Version) #Funk It Up (Morales Club of Funk Mix) #Funk It Up (All Star Street Funk Mix) #Nice & EZ

Chart performance

References

{{authority control 1995 singles Toshinobu Kubota songs Songs written by Toshinobu Kubota 1995 songs Columbia Records singles