War was the earliest funkband to reach platinum status AFAIK. They were out of Watts, and their music was really ahead of its time because War represents the melting of influences that will be the 21st century. They were a mainly African American band that was heavily influenced by Mexican music and culture. They also sang of street life and police brutality in a way similar to later gangster rappers.
They were also super funky too! The first bassline I ever learned was by War's BB Dickerson, "Heartbeat." from Why Can't We Be Friends?
