Electronic Dance Music and the Disenfranchised in Chicago

A look at how Electronic Dance Music has helped to empower and give a voice to the disenfranchised in Chicago.

The History of Electronic Dance Music in Chicago

Electronic dance music has its roots in the disco era of the late seventies. Chicago was at the forefront of this new sound, with clubs like the Warehouse and the Music Box attracting people from all over the world. The eighties saw the rise of house music, a genre that was born in Chicago. House music quickly spread to other cities like New York and London, and soon the whole world was dancing to the sound of house.

The Birth of House Music

In the early 1980s, electronic dance music began to percolate in the clubs of Chicago. DJs like Frankie Knuckles, Ron Hardy, and Farley “Jackmaster” Funk spun novel combinations of existing disco and electronic tracks, giving birth to a new style of music: house. House was characterized by a 4/4 beat, synthesizer riffs, and soulful vocal samples. It was originally designed to be played in gay clubs, which gave the music a liberating feeling that appealed to many people outside the LGBTQIA+ community.

While house music was initially popular amongst queer people of color in Chicago, it quickly spread to other communities that felt marginalized and disenfranchised. In the midst of the crack epidemic and gang violence of the 1980s, house provided a space for people to come together and escape the harsh reality of everyday life. The popularity of house music led to the opening of many new clubs and the development of a thriving party scene in Chicago.

Today, house music is enjoyed by people all over the world. While it has undergone some changes since its inception, the genre still retains its original spirit of inclusion and defiance. Electronic dance music continues to be an important part of Chicago’s identity, bringing people together from all walks of life.

The Second Wave of EDM

The second wave of EDM in Chicago came about as a direct result of the city’s troubling social and economic conditions in the early 1990s. Job loss, poverty, and crime rates were all on the rise, leaving many young people feeling disconnected and disaffected. In response, they created their own subculture built around electronic dance music (EDM). This new scene was based in underground clubs and warehouses where people could come together to dance and escape the harsh realities of their everyday lives.

While the first wave of EDM in Chicago had been dominated by white, middle-class clubgoers, the second wave was much more diverse. People of all races and socioeconomic backgrounds were now involved in the scene, which made it even more vital and vibrant. The music itself also evolved, becoming harder and more aggressive to match the mood of the times. This new sound came to be known as “ghetto house.”

Ghetto house music was created by DJs and producers who were primarily African American and Latino. Its defining trait was a simple, repetitive bass line that was meant to be danced to for hours on end. The tracks often had explicit lyrics that spoke to the realities of life in the inner city. Ghetto house became one of the most popular genres in Chicago’s underground club scene, and its influence can still be heard in today’s EDM music.

The Disenfranchised in Chicago

In Chicago, electronic dance music is often associated with the disenfranchised, the poor, and the working class. This is because the music originated in black and Latino neighborhoods on the South and West sides of the city. These neighborhoods were and continue to be some of the most economically disadvantaged in the city.

The North Side

While the North Side of Chicago is home to some of the most affluent neighborhoods in the city, it is also home to some of the most disadvantaged. Nearly half of all North Side residents live below the poverty line, and many are struggling to make ends meet.

The North Side is also home to a large number of electronic dance music venues, which are often frequented by those who are looking for a place to let loose and have fun. For many of these people, electronic dance music provides an escape from the hardships of their everyday lives.

While electronic dance music can be enjoyed by people from all walks of life, it is especially popular among those who feel like they have been left behind by society. For many disenfranchised young people, electronic dance music offers a sense of community and belonging that they may not find elsewhere.

In a city that is increasingly divided between rich and poor, electronic dance music provides a space where people from all backgrounds can come together and just have fun.

The West Side

The West Side of Chicago is home to a large population of African Americans who have been disenfranchised for generations. Jobs are scarce, violence is rampant, and poverty is widespread. But in recent years, the West Side has become known for something else: its vibrant electronic dance music scene.

For many young people on the West Side, electronic dance music (EDM) is a way to escape the hard realities of their everyday lives. At clubs and warehouses across the city, they can let go of their troubles and dance the night away.

EDM has also given rise to a new generation of entrepreneurs on the West Side. These young people are using their talents to start businesses and create jobs in their community. They are proving that with determination and hard work, anything is possible—even on the West Side of Chicago.

The South Side

The South Side of Chicago has long been home to a large population of African Americans. In recent years, the area has become increasingly gentrified, with new investment and development bringing white, middle-class residents into the neighborhood. This change has displaced many longtime residents, who have been pushed out of their homes and into poverty.

The South Side is also home to a thriving electronic dance music (EDM) scene. The genre has become increasingly popular among young people, who are drawn to its energy and social aspects. However, EDM culture is largely dominated by white, middle-class people. This has led to tension between EDM fans and the community’s black residents.

The situation came to a head in 2016, when a white EDM DJ was arrested for playing music on the South Side without a permit. The incident sparked protests by EDM fans, who argued that the DJ was being unfairly targeted. The situation highlights the growing rift between the two groups and the challenges that come with gentrification.

The Future of EDM in Chicago

EDM, or electronic dance music, has long been a source of both community and division in Chicago. On one hand, the music has been a way for people to come together and feel a sense of belonging. On the other, it has been a way for people to feel excluded and alone.

The North Side

While the popular conception of “EDM” as a genre is often exclusionary, many Chicagoans of all backgrounds enjoy listening to and attending electronic dance music events. The North Side of Chicago is home to a large number of EDM fans, and the future of the genre in the city looks bright.

Despite its reputation as a primarily white and affluent area, the North Side is home to a number of diverse neighborhoods. In recent years, gentrification has caused some tension between long-time residents and newcomers, but overall the North Side remains a welcoming place for all.

The future of EDM in Chicago looks promising, with new clubs and festivals popping up all over the city. North Side neighborhoods like Logan Square and Wicker Park are particularly well-suited to hosting these events, and there is no shortage of talented DJs and producers in the area. With continued support from fans and enthusiasts, there is no doubt that EDM will continue to thrive on the North Side for years to come.

The West Side

The West Side of Chicago is an area that has been largely forgotten by the city’s government and many of its residents. It is an area that is home to a large number of African American residents, as well as a significant number of Hispanic residents. The West Side is also an area that has been hit hard by the recent economic downturn.

In recent years, however, the West Side has begun to see a resurgence, thanks in part to the growing popularity of electronic dance music (EDM). The West Side has become home to several EDM clubs and festivals, and the genre has become increasingly popular among the area’s young people.

The growing popularity of EDM on the West Side is symbolic of the changing demographics of the city as a whole. As Chicago’s population continues to grow and diversify, it is likely that EDM will become even more popular in the city. This rise in popularity could lead to more investment in the West Side, and eventually help to revitalize the area.

The South Side

The South Side of Chicago is an area of the city that is often forgotten. It’s a predominately black and Latino area with high crime rates and little to no investment from the city. However, the South Side is also home to some of the most creative and innovative people in the city. And, it’s these creative people who are helping to shape the future of Electronic Dance Music in Chicago.

The South Side has a long history of producing some of the best talent in the music industry. From Jazz greats like Miles Davis to Hip Hop legends like Common, the South Side has always been a hotbed for musical talent. And, now, the South Side is starting to make a name for itself in the world of Electronic Dance Music.

There are a number of factors that are helping to fuel the rise of EDM on the South Side. First, there is a growing number of young people who are interested in EDM. Second, there are a number of established EDM artists who are from or have strong ties to the South Side. And third, there is a growing number of venues on the South Side that are hosting EDM events.

The rise of EDM on the South Side is having a positive impact on the community. It’s giving young people an outlet for their creativity and it’s bringing new investments into the area. The future of EDM in Chicago is bright and it’s happening on the South Side.