House Music in 2016: A South African Perspective
Contents
A look at the house music scene in 2016 from a South African perspective.
Introduction
House music has been a staple in the South African music scene for many years now, and 2016 saw the genre continue to grow in popularity. In this article, we take a look at some of the biggest house music tracks and events that came out of South Africa this year.
The History of House Music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago in the 1980s. It was originally created by DJs and producers who were influenced by disco, electronic, and soul music. House music quickly became popular in clubs and soon spread to other parts of the world. In the 1990s, house music was the soundtrack to the club scene in Europe and the United States. In the 2000s, house music became popular in South Africa.
Where it all began
The origins of house music can be traced back to the early 1980s, when a new style of electronic dance music emerged in the clubs of Chicago. This new music, which blended elements of soul, disco and electronic dance music, quickly became popular among clubgoers and soon spread to other cities in the US and Europe. By the mid-1980s, house music was firmly established as a major force in the global dance music scene.
In the 1990s, house music enjoyed a tremendous resurgence in popularity, thanks in part to the rise of rave culture and the popularity of electronic dance music in general. By the end of the decade, house music had become one of the most popular genres in the world, with a sound that was both highly influential and widely imitated.
Today, house music is as popular as ever, with artists like Calvin Harris and Swedish House Mafia topping the charts around the world. In 2016, South Africa is playing host to a number of major house music festivals, including Ultra South Africa and Tomorrowland Winter.
The influence of South African house music
house music has its roots in the African-American and Latino communities of Chicago and New York in the 1980s. The style was born out of a need for dancers to have their own music that they could move to, and it quickly spread around the world. In the 1990s, South Africa became a hotbed for house music, with producers and DJs creating their own unique take on the genre.
Today, South African house music is as popular as ever, with artists like Black Coffee, Da Capo, and Culoe De Song leading the way. The sound has evolved over the years, but the impact that South African house music has had on the global scene is undeniable.
The Present Day
In 2016, South African house music is still largely influenced by American and European trends. This is evident in the style of music that is popular among South African DJs and producers. However, there are also elements of traditional South African music in contemporary house tracks. This can be seen in the use of traditional instruments such as the Mbira, as well as in the incorporation of African languages into songs.
The current sound of house music
The current sound of house music can be best described as a mix of old and new styles. The biggest influence on the sound of today’s house music is undoubtedly the history of the genre. Early house music was very raw and minimalist, with simple drum patterns and sparse melodies. This sound was eventually refined and developed into the more polished, commercial sound that we hear today. However, there are still many producers who are keeping the original spirit of house music alive by making tracks that are true to its roots.
The other major influence on the sound of house music today is the ever-changing technology. With new software and hardware being released all the time, producers have more options than ever before when it comes to creating their sounds. This has led to a very diverse range of styles within the genre, from deep and soulful tracks to more hard-hitting, club-friendly tunes.
No matter what your taste in house music is, there’s sure to be something out there that you’ll enjoy. So get out there and start exploring!
The popularity of house music in South Africa
In 2016, house music is still hugely popular in South Africa, with many locals citing it as their favourite genre. The appeal of house music lies in its ability to bring people together and create a sense of unity on the dancefloor – something that is especially important in a country like South Africa, which is still healing the wounds of apartheid.
Despite its popularity, there is still a lot of debate about what qualifies as ‘house music’ – for some, it’s all about the 4/4 beat and traditional disco sound, while others believe that anything with a strong bassline can be classified as house. Whatever your definition, there’s no denying that house music is here to stay in South Africa.
The Future of House Music
House music in 2016 is still going strong, with lots of new artists and sub-genres emerging. South Africa is a hotbed for new house music talent, and we’re starting to see some crossover success with international artists. In this article, we’ll take a look at the current state of house music in 2016 and try to predict where it’s headed in the future.
The direction of house music
House music in 2016 is heading in a few different directions. Some producers are returning to the deep, soulful sounds of early house music while others are experiment with new styles and genres. The one constant is that good house music will always make you move your feet!
Here are a few of the emerging trends in house music:
1. Soulful and deeply emotional house music is making a comeback. Producers are drawing inspiration from the deep, spiritual sounds of early house music to create tracks that make you feel something. This trend started in Europe but is quickly spreading to other parts of the world.
2. House music is becoming more eclectic, with producers experimenting with new genres and styles. We’re seeing more elements of techno, trance, and even pop creeping into house tracks. This trend is giving rise to some truly unique and original sounds.
3. There’s a growing trend of using classic house samples in new and interesting ways. Producers are digging deep into the crates to find those elusive gems from the ’90s and giving them new life in their tracks.
4. More and more producers are making use of live instruments in their tracks. This gives house music a more organic feel and helps it stand out from other genres like techno and trance which rely heavily on synthesizers and drum machines.
5. Finally, we’re seeing a resurgence of old-school Chicago house vibes thanks to a new generation of producers who are bringing the sound back to its roots. This sound is raw, classy, and guaranteed to make you move your feet!
The impact of technology on house music
Technology has had a profound impact on house music, both in terms of its production and consumption. The use of digital audio Workstations (DAWs) and samplers has made it easier than ever to create professional-sounding tracks at home, while the rise of streaming services has made it easier than ever to find and listen to new music.
The impact of technology on house music can be seen in the way that the genre has evolved over time. Early house tracks were often repetitive and vocals were often not used, but as technology has progressed, producers have been able to create more complex and diverse tracks that still retain the ‘house’ sound. This has led to a wider variety of sub-genres emerging, such as deep house, tech house and progressive house.
As technology continues to develop, it is likely that we will see even more innovation in the world of house music. Who knows what the future holds for this ever- evolving genre?
