KINGS & Kelli Strawbridge Bring Vintage Funk Back to Life on "Take Me Over"

At a time when so much modern R&B leans into polished minimalism, KINGS and Kelli Strawbridge are looking in the opposite direction. Their single "Take Me Over" embraces the colorful, groove-heavy spirit of funk's golden era, delivering a playful love song that could have soundtracked a packed dance floor decades ago while remaining effortlessly enjoyable today.

The Richmond, Virginia collaboration between producer DJ Harrison and vocalist Kelli Strawbridge is rooted in deep musical appreciation. Drawing inspiration from legendary acts like Rick James, Prince, Cameo, Slave, Con Funk Shun, Don Blackman, and The Gap Band, "Take Me Over" doesn't simply imitate its influences. Instead, it captures the energy, musicianship, and personality that made those records timeless.

Built around infectious bass lines, tight rhythms, and vibrant instrumentation, the track immediately invites listeners to move. Lyrically, it's an entertaining tale of someone confidently pursuing a romantic interest, embracing the charm and charisma that defined many classic funk records. There's a refreshing sense of fun throughout, reminding listeners that love songs don't always have to be emotionally heavy to leave an impression.

What makes the release especially rewarding is its authenticity. Rather than chasing current trends, KINGS fully commits to celebrating an era of music that continues to inspire generations of musicians. Every groove feels intentional, and every performance reflects a genuine passion for the genre's rich history.

Originally released through Ropeadope Records as part of the KINGS album, "Take Me Over" continues to resonate thanks to its timeless sound. It's the kind of record that encourages listeners to dust off their vinyl collection, revisit funk's greatest classics, and appreciate the enduring power of musicianship that never goes out of style.

"Take Me Over" feels like a genuine celebration of classic funk rather than simply borrowing from it. What elements of that era were most important for you to preserve, and where did you want to put your own stamp on the sound?

Kelli: There are so many elements to the classic funk sound, but this song has elements of Cameo and Prince to me. Cameo, before they switched up to drum machines, would use a tight, dry drum sound, but their keyboards and guitars would be percussive and lush at the same time, plus the electric bass was always popping. My personal stamp on the sound is my lyrics and the melodic style of delivering the hooks. The imagination plays a big part with the lyrics, and I definitely want the lyrics to sound and feel good, but I hope people also think about whatever it is I'm talking about and the illusion or delusion, if you will.

You draw inspiration from artists like Rick James, Prince, Cameo, and The Gap Band. Was there a particular record or moment during the making of "Take Me Over" that made you think, "We're capturing the feeling we were chasing"?

Kelli: The idea is to do that in every song, and once we got Sam Reed and Nigel Hall to add to the mix, we definitely felt like this could make some impact. Sam Reed's vocal style is already solidified, so it brings the song to a new level, and Nigel, he literally nailed the Rick James vocal approach, which was the approach we had no idea we needed haha, but dammit it works so well.

At a time when so much music is created digitally and quickly, your recordings emphasize live musicianship and groove. Why do you think that style still resonates with listeners today?

Kelli: Having real instruments on your record, even if they are processed with digital or analog effects, it sounds like breathing. The breathing, the tension and release, the intimacy of live instruments is sorely missed on the radio; there are artists like Olivia Dean, Alex Isley, and Leon Bridges that are bringing that vibe back to the music and on the airwaves. It's like vinyl coming back; the phone screen is helpful and handy, but the actual art of looking at the credits is just the same as adding a real instrument to the music; it's a raw element of music unfolding that cannot be replaced.

KINGS is built around collaboration, with DJ Harrison's production and Kelli Strawbridge's vocals creating a distinct chemistry. How do your different creative strengths complement one another when you're writing and recording together?

Kelli: Well, I'm also a drummer and keyboardist, and I love to mess around with all other instruments, and I do my own solo music as well. So when I get to hang with DJ Harrison, it's like going to a good restaurant where the food is already done; you just get to pick what you want! In other words, I take pleasure in just listening to what he does. DJ Harrison does music with words and instrumentals, but I think he appreciates people bringing different vibes to his music. And when it really works, the artist really takes ownership of that music, and DJ enjoys that, I think. 

Funk has always been about more than just making people dance; it carries personality, confidence, and joy. What do you hope modern listeners, especially those discovering the genre for the first time through your music, take away from "Take Me Over"?

Kelli: People can take what they want nowadays; I just hope they enjoy it, dive into both of our catalogs of music, and hopefully it can enlighten them to related artists or our inspirations and add it to their cookout playlists!