“Can’t Stop” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, from their 2002 album By the Way, provides a compelling example of groove-based drumming rooted in stylistic funk. Performed by Chad Smith, the drum part integrates elements of funk, rock, and hip-hop, forming a groove that locks tightly with the bass while propelling the track forward with sustained energy. The primary groove is driven by an assertive hi-hat pattern and a strongly syncopated backbeat, both of which contribute to the music’s sense of urgency and forward motion. Rather than relying on complex fills or dense orchestration, Smith employs a repetitive yet highly hypnotic pattern that functions as the rhythmic backbone of the song. Although the technical demands of this piece are moderate, its true challenge lies in maintaining precision, endurance, and feel across an extended, highly infectious, and explosive groove— one that is deceptively simple, and almost guaranteed to cause aggressive head-nodding.  Advertisement

February 2026 Issue