Funk, Flow & Full Circle: The Funk Hunters and Chali 2na Reunite Ahead of New Music
When The Funk Hunters and Chali 2na first joined forces, something clicked—something that went far beyond the beats. It was 2015 when the Vancouver-based electronic duo and the legendary Jurassic 5 MC dropped their collaborative ILLectric EP, fusing west coast funk, hip-hop, and bass into a genre-defying sound that still turns heads a decade later. That project, which turns 10 in 2026, includes their now-iconic track “Word To Spread”—still one of the most streamed songs for both artists around the world.
But to truly understand this musical kinship, you have to rewind to 2013.
Where It All Started: A Serendipitous Remix
The Funk Hunters were in the studio collaborating with German producers CMC & Silenta when they began working on a track that felt like it needed a specific voice. That voice? Chali 2na. They had long admired his unmistakable baritone and razor-sharp flow. Instead of starting from scratch, they pulled the acapella from Chali’s 2009 solo track Lock Shit Down and layered it over their instrumental.
The result was electric.
When they sent the finished track to Chali’s team, it landed during a time when he was prepping for a Jurassic 5 reunion. Despite the packed schedule, his management was into it—and gave the green light. That reimagined version became “Do This For You”, released via Westwood Recordings (a label co-founded by none other than Nick Middleton – one half of The Funk Hunters) in 2014. The song caught fire, earning Mixmag’s “Tune of the Month” and charting in Beatport’s Top 10 glitch hop tracks.
From Studio to Stage: Building a Bond
That single sparked something bigger than a one-time collaboration. The Funk Hunters and Chali 2na hit the road together, sharing stages and building a bond rooted in mutual admiration and explosive live chemistry. Their sonic dynamic was undeniable—Chali’s commanding presence and lyrical agility perfectly matched The Funk Hunters’ genre-blending, bass-forward production.
This partnership was formalized in 2016 with the release of the ILLectric EP, a full collaborative effort that took their chemistry to the next level. And while that EP will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year, it remains a vital part of both of their catalogues—and a favourite for fans across the globe.
Looking Ahead: New Music, Same Magic
Fast-forward to 2025, and the story is far from over.
Both The Funk Hunters and Chali 2na are gearing up for major album releases in 2026. On one side, Chali 2na is teaming up with longtime Jurassic 5 collaborator Cut Chemist for a new full-length project. On the other, The Funk Hunters are putting the finishing touches on their next studio album—a follow-up to their 2022 LP Music W/ Friends.
In the lead-up to both projects, Westwood Recordings will be dropping a series of singles throughout 2025, including a brand-new collaboration between Chali 2na and The Funk Hunters. It’s a full-circle moment that brings their creative partnership into a new era, while nodding to the roots that made it all work so well from the start.
Rifflandia 2025: Where Past Meets Future
At Rifflandia, fans will once again experience the magic of this iconic collaboration live. It’s not just a reunion—it’s a celebration of a partnership that’s lasted over a decade, evolved through sound, and shows no signs of slowing down.
With new music dropping, anniversaries approaching, and festival stages calling, The Funk Hunters and Chali 2na are proving that some creative connections only get better with time.
– Morgan Sutherland. As Rifflandia’s resident “What even is this?” music fan, Morgan lives for anything loud, heavy, and likely to rattle your insides. Ask what she’s listening to at your own risk—you might walk away wondering if you accidentally tuned into another dimension.