funky friends (an imaginary 90s cartoon soundtrack)

with a lil animation/drawing for each song! heavily inspired by hey arnold and 90s acid jazz. one of my favorite albums i've made...!

0:00 latchkey cats
2:11 turnstile hop
4:30 house party
6:34 bodega on the corner
8:33 heading downtown
10:30 midnight burger joint
12:39 maybe a crush
14:18 end credits

[MackenzieChandlerDunnavant]

I like to imagine that instead of writing a pitch presentation, Louie goes up to TV executives and goes "I have an idea for a show, it's kinda like" and he just busts out a few notes on a keyboard. "Like that".

[shepthedep]

In some alternative universe, this was a sound track for a real show that was very good and is remembered dearly by people who grew up with it

[travis]

Louie needs his own TV show. He can animate, voice act, make the music, I’d watch the hell out of it. Even one episode

[kiricappuchin]

i feel this would be the type of show that’s really chill and kidfriendly but leaves you with a lasting message about life, friends and family at the end of the day
the voice acting would be just a little off but that’s part of it’s charm

[TheZizamie]

"Funky Friends" was a mid90s cartoon centered on four childhood friends growing up in the city and finding relaxation in a slowly changing world. From following litefeet shows across trains, to midnight burger runs, to improvisations with their band (dubbed "Bing Bang Bong" AKA "BBBs" AKA "BABES"), the show tackled life's problems with a funky air of serenity; perfect for a coming-of-age series leading up to the turn of the millennium. With a minimalist yet alluring aesthetic and brilliant child writing, it's no wonder that people still talk fondly about "Funky Friends".

Starring:

Kerry Greycat: Defacto leader of the group (by only being two months older), you wouldn't be able to tell that this kid wasn't even a city native. Despite the introverted personality and slight culture clash, Kerry is amazing at planning the activity of the day and keeping the group centered and "funky". They are also the go-to friend for when one of them needs to vent and work through feelings. Overall, Kerry is simply one *cool* cat!

Crocodonal "Didu" Dindi: Kerry's right-hand man and brain behind the band, Didu is the alley skater alligator of the group. Always willing to one-up the others and loyal to a fault, he will do his best to enhance the fun whenever possible. Don't let Didu's hazy attitude fool you, this reptile usually has the solution to the gang's problems; Just be patient!

Bella Bluefish: When it comes to parties, this fish never flounders! Bella could sell honey to a bee if she had any bad bone in her body, which she is pretty sure she doesn't. Down to clown if it means the day goes on longer, Bella is the type of friend who can turn anything into an adventure/experience. Her sincerity is simply magical, as is her ability to finger pick (how does she do it?!)

The Quackster: The carefree duckadee, The Quackster operates by her own rules. While a tad unfocused, this late bloomer is resourceful beyond what's probably natural. Where did the Quackster find that one-hundred dollar bill? How did the Quackster get the good chips first (The spicy ones at the back of the highest shelf)? There's a lot going on in that brain of hers despite her size (don't tell The Quackster I said that, that's the one thing that sets her off, and I heard from Jermaine's cousin that the last kid who mentioned her height got buried neck deep in a rooftop garden!)

[alyssab]

rabbit bud: cool guy, leader, sentimental, has trouble with expressing themselves
croc: good vibes dude, right hand man to rabbit bud, jams out whenever they can, a bit of a doormat
fishy: high energy, loveable goofball, heart of the group, can sometimes be a bit blunt
peeps: only speaks in peeps but everyone can understand him, down to earth, gives great advice and a good listener, has a short temper

i imagine that in the show they would go around town talking to different people about life lessons and being friends like arthur

[biasmushroom]

This is the kind of show that when it ends it leaves everyone sad and slightly depressed

[ajaymerrick]

Crocodile has the really REALLY deep, chill voice. fish barely speaks but is British. bird tweets occasionally but everyone understands. rabbit talks normal with a slight New York accent

[aoeability]

I don't know what's weirder about this feeling nostalgic to me:

A. The fact that I didn't even grow up in the 90s
B. The fact that this show doesn't even exist (yet).

[itscorvvo]

It might not be as enticing but I feel like dialogue (VA'ing) wouldn't fit this show. Rather I see each of the animals having their own distinct sound attributed to their voice, with custom subtitles. This way, you could have people talk off screen and still have the exact character recognized by the viewer. Filling out the show would be distinct and wondrously full background with some absolutely awesome funky groovy music. It wouldn't be an amazing, action-packed, leaves you going, "Holy Shit!" kind of show. It'd be a laid back but overall important and thought-provoking experience that leaves you with new questions and motives in life. Each episode exploring a new and often underexplored topic. Maybe the fish is seen as lesser because he immigrated from the Ocean Colonies. Maybe the alligator is always thought to be this rude and horrible guy because he's a predator. Things like that.

Okay now I really want to write a pilot episode for this show.

[SupaDaBloopa]

Funky Friends was made in part by the Louie Foundation and from viewers like you. Thank you.

[Clingojam]

This album fits in really nicely with its theme, it captures the funk, spunk and laid-back vibes of a slice-of-life 90's cartoon with hair-splitting accuracy (along with the general Louie Zong liveliness). Terrific work!
Plus, I bet these funky little dudes would've gotten a sick liscensed game back in the day, I'm thinking a PaRappa / UJL clone with an explorable hub world and witty dialogue.

[Phood]

Rabbit Dave was always my favourite growing up - they were really cool and unpeturbed by anything, but not in a dismissive way, and they still showed they cared about their friends a lot. The crush arc kind of came out of left field for a lot of fans, but it showed they could also be vulnerable, and had to embrace that to grow and risk a little, which was really good writing IMO

[maverickREAL]

I can imagine the show already.
Very close-to-the-mic, rough voice acting like Home Movies, sorta scratchy voice acting.
Most episodes are pretty aimless and don't really follow an exact plot, but they're mainly about the friends just chilling in their neighborhood.
Every episode has its own musical number.

[robooz]

the friends are back, and funkier than ever!

[nunyabusiness]

It’s kinda like Hey Arnold but turn the funky dial to max

[RealRayRizzo]

If you end up pitching this show somewhere, what do you think about having the funky fish working as a part time lifeguard? I think that would be a really funny image!

[Argusthecat]

Suddenly, I'm thirteen years old and in the back seat of my parent's car, staring out the window at orange streetlights, half asleep as we head home from somewhere I don't remember.

[DerpsterLife]

I still hope to see a animated series of these guys and the music is awesome

[keixsy]

Oh wow I haven't heard this since I watched the show years ago as a child! Brings back good memories~