What genre blends elements of funk, rock, and hip-hop that emerged in the late 1980s?

The genre that blends elements of funk, rock, and hip-hop that emerged in the late 1980s is funk metal. This musical style is characterized by its incorporation of funky bass lines and rhythms typical of funk music, combined with the heavier guitar riffs and attitude of rock, as well as the rhythmic and lyrical influences of hip-hop.

Funk metal often features a strong groove and energetic performances, drawing from the improvisational nature of funk while maintaining the aggression found in rock. Bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers and Faith No More exemplified this fusion in their music, creating a unique sound that captured the essence of these genres during its peak in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The other options represent different genres that do not fit this specific blend. Grunge emerged as a subgenre of alternative rock in the early 1990s, characterized more by its angst and heavier sound than the grooves of funk. Ska involves a distinctly different rhythm and instrumentation rooted in Caribbean music, while hard rock focuses on a heavier rock sound without the funky elements emphasized in funk metal.