Why Electronic Dance Music Shouldn’t Be Considered Mainstream

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

In this post, we explore why electronic dance music shouldn’t be considered mainstream. We discuss the unique history and culture of electronic dance music and how it has been influenced by other genres of music.

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The History of Electronic Dance Music

It is important to understand the history of electronic dance music in order to see why it shouldn’t be considered mainstream. Electronic dance music has its origins in the underground club scene of the 1980s. This is where DJs would play records for dancers who were often on drugs like Ecstasy. The music was often mind-bending and psychedelic, and it was not meant for mainstream consumption.

The first electronic dance music tracks were created by artists like Kraftwerk and Afrika Bambaataa. These artists were not interested in making commercial hits; they were more concerned with making experimental music that would get people dancing. In the 1990s, electronic dance music began to enter the mainstream, thanks to artists like Daft Punk and The Prodigy. However, these artists were still considered to be part of the underground scene.

It wasn’t until the 2000s that electronic dance music truly entered the mainstream. This is thanks to artists like David Guetta and Calvin Harris, who have made massive hits that have been played on top 40 radio stations across the world. However, many purists still consider electronic dance music to be underground, and they believe that it should stay that way.

The Different Types of Electronic Dance Music

There are many different types of electronic dance music, and each has its own distinct sound and style. While some genres, like house and techno, have been around for decades, others, like dubstep and EDM, are relatively new.

Mainstream electronic dance music tends to be more commercialized and accessible to a wider audience. This is not always a bad thing, but it can mean that the music is less experimental and innovative than other genres.

If you’re looking for something a little different, there are plenty of other types of electronic dance music to explore. Below are just a few examples:

-House: House music is one of the oldest and most popular genres of electronic dance music. It originated in the 1980s in Chicago and is characterized by a 4/4 beat, deep basslines, and off-beat hi-hats.

-Techno: Techno is another popular genre of electronic dance music that began in the 1980s. It originated in Detroit and is characterized by a repetitious 4/4 beat, often with heavy use of synthesizers.

-Dubstep: Dubstep is a relatively new genre that originated in the early 2000s in London. It’s characterized by slow, heavy beats and often features distressed or distorted sounds.

-EDM: EDM stands for “electronic dance music” and is a catch-all term for any kind of club or party music that features electronically produced beats.

The Popularity of Electronic Dance Music

Electronic dance music has been slowly gaining popularity in the United States over the past few years. While it is still considered a niche genre, it has seen a significant increase in popularity in recent years. This can be attributed to a number of factors, including the rise of streaming services like Spotify and Soundcloud, which have made it easier than ever for people to discover new music. In addition, electronic dance music festivals have become increasingly popular in recent years, giving people a chance to see their favorite DJs and producers live.

However, despite its growing popularity, electronic dance music still faces some challenges when it comes to being considered mainstream. One of the biggest challenges is that the genre is still largely dominated by male artists. While there are a handful of female artists who have gained popularity in recent years, they are still outnumbered by their male counterparts. In addition, electronic dance music is still largely considered to be a party genre, which can make it difficult for people to take it seriously as a musical genre.

Despite these challenges, electronic dance music has still managed to gain a significant amount of popularity in recent years. And while it may not be considered mainstream just yet, it is certainly on its way to becoming one of the most popular genres in the United States.

The Negative Aspects of Electronic Dance Music

While electronic dance music has gained popularity in recent years, it still faces many criticisms. Some people believe that the music is too repetitive and lacks creativity. Others find it too loud and abrasive. And then there are those who simply don’t like the idea of dancing in a public setting.

Whatever the reason, electronic dance music has yet to be fully accepted by the mainstream. Here are some of the negative aspects of the genre that might be keeping it from gaining wider acceptance:

1. The music is often repetitive and formulaic.
2. It can be excessively loud and abrasive.
3. It often encourages drug use.
4. It is associated with promiscuity and hedonism.
5. It can be dangerous (e.g., at festivals where large crowds can lead to stampedes).

The Positive Aspects of Electronic Dance Music

Since the early 2010s, electronic dance music (EDM) has exploded in popularity, with festivals like Tomorrowland and Electric Daisy Carnival becoming some of the most popular music events in the world. However, there are still many people who believe that EDM is not mainstream enough to be considered truly mainstream music. Here are four positive aspects of EDM that should be considered when discussing its place in the music world.

1. EDM is highly diverse.
2. EDM is constantly evolving.
3. EDM is accessible to everyone.
4. EDM can be enjoyed by everyone.

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