House Music Classics You Need to Know

Discover the classic house anthems that every serious house music fan needs to know. From Frankie Knuckles to Daft Punk, these are the tracks that defined a genre.

Intro

House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the early 1980s in Chicago. It is characterized by a repetitive four-on-the-floor beat and a synth-driven melody. House music quickly spread to other American cities such as Detroit, New York, and Baltimore, and then to the rest of the world.

There are many different subgenres of house music, but some of the most popular include Chicago house, deep house, acid house, electro house, and techno.

House Music Origins

Everybody knows that house music comes from Chicago, right? Well, that’s not entirely true. House music actually has its origins in New York City. DJ Kool Herc, a Jamaican immigrant, is credited with being the first to use the term “house music” to describe the music he was playing at parties in the Bronx.

Where it started

Few genres of music are as closely associated with a specific place as house music is with Chicago. The genre rose to prominence in the city in the 1980s, and by the early 1990s, it had become a global phenomenon. But where did house music come from? Here’s a look at its origins.

House music is a direct descendant of disco, which itself arose out of the funk and soul scenes of the 1960s and 1970s. Disco tracks often featured a driving, pulsing bassline that was perfect for dancing, and they frequently included elements of electronic music, such as synthesizers and drum machines. As disco began to grow in popularity in the late 1970s, a new style of dance called “house” began to emerge in Chicago.

House music was originally created by DJs who were looking for a way to extend the disco experience beyond the club. They did this by editing together existing disco tracks to create new, longer versions that were perfect for dancing all night long. These extended versions, or “dance mixes,” quickly became popular among clubgoers, and soon DJs began creating original house tracks using synthesizers, drum machines, and other electronic instruments.

Chicago was home to many influential house music DJs and producers, including Frankie Knuckles, Marshall Jefferson, Farley Jackmaster Funk, Adonis, and Mr. Fingers. These artists created some of the genre’s most iconic tracks, such as Jefferson’s “Move Your Body” and Knuckles’ “Your Love.” House music quickly spread beyond Chicago to other US cities like New York and Detroit before making its way to Europe in the late 1980s. By the early 1990s, it was one of the biggest genres in dance music worldwide.

Key people in its development

There are a number of key people who have been instrumental in the development of house music. One of the most important is DJ Frankie Knuckles, who is often referred to as the “Godfather of House.” Knuckles was a pioneer in the use of disco and R&B samples in his mixes, and he played a pivotal role in the early development of house music. Another key figure is Marshall Jefferson, who produced one of the genre’s first hits, “Move Your Body.” Jefferson’s track helped to define the sound of early house music and laid the groundwork for subsequent artists.

The sound of House Music

House music is a genre of electronic music that was created in the 1980s. It is a style of music that is characterized by a 4/4 time signature, a tempo of 120 beats per minute, and a repetitive, hypnotic sound. House music is often described as being ” soulful ” and ” uplifting “.

Key elements

The sound of House music is defined by four key elements: a strong, regular bass drum on every beat; percussion played on the “offbeat”; an almost constant synthesizer melody or chord progression with few changes; and smooth, repetitive vocal textures. These elements combine to create a sound that is both danceable and distinctive.

The key to understanding House music is the interplay between the four elements. The bass drum provides a strong, steady pulse that gives the music its characteristic danceable rhythm. The percussion instruments play on the “offbeat,” giving the music its distinctive syncopated feel. The synthesizer melody or chord progression provides a sense of forward motion and energy, while the vocal textures add interest and complexity.

House music is often associated with specific subgenres, such as acid house, deep house, and techno. However, it is important to remember that House music is not limited to these genres; it encompasses a wide range of styles and influences. For example, Chicago House is characterized by its use of sampled sounds from other genres of music, such as Funk and Soul. New York House is distinguished by its use of experimental sounds and textures. And British House often incorporates elements of Garage and Drum & Bass.

Whether you are a fan of House music or not, there is no denying its impact on popular culture. It has been influential in shaping the sound of electronic dance music over the past three decades and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

House Music sub-genres

Since the 1990s, house music has been divided into sub-genres. The biggest difference between these sub-genres is the tempo of the music, which can range from 110 to 145 beats per minute (bpm).

The four most common sub-genres of house music are:

-Deep house: This style of house music is characterized by its smooth, relaxed sound and use of jazz and soul samples. Deep house tracks typically have a tempo of between 115 and 125 bpm.

-Tech house: This style is a fusion of deep house and techno. It is characterized by its use of minimal vocals, long builds, and a thumping, driving beat. Tech house tracks typically have a tempo of between 125 and 135 bpm.

-Progressive house: This style is similar to deep house but with a more hypnotic feel. Progressive tracks often have longer buildups and higher energy levels than deep house tracks. Progressive house tracks typically have a tempo of between 130 and 140 bpm.

-Hard dance: This style is a fusion of hard trance and techno. It is characterized by its heavy use of synthesizers and distorted basslines. Hard dance tracks typically have a tempo of between 140 and 145 bpm.

House Music Today

House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago in the 1980s. It was initially popularized in clubs and warehouses, but has since evolved and found its way into mainstream pop culture. House music today is characterized by a thumping, four-on-the-floor beat, synth basslines, and often features samples ofclassic soul or disco tracks.

Where to find it

Despite its origins in the clubs of Chicago and Detroit, house music has become one of the most popular genres in the world. You can hear it in clubs, on the radio, and even in commercials. But where did it come from?

House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the 1980s. The name comes from the fact that it was often played in clubs known as “house parties.” House music is characterized by a thumping four-on-the-floor beat, synthesizer melodies, and soulful vocals.

The first house tracks were produced by DJs who were trying to create a new sound by combining elements of different genres including disco, acid house, and techno. The result was a new genre of music that was perfect for dancing.

House music quickly became popular in clubs and soon spread to other parts of the world. In the 1990s, house music entered the mainstream with hits like Robin S.’s “Show Me Love” and Masters at Work’s “Work.” Today, house music is still evolving and growing in popularity. You can hear it everywhere from commercials to movie soundtracks.

Key artists

The history of house music is often traced back to Chicago in the early 1980s, when DJs such as Frankie Knuckles, Jesse Saunders and Chip E transformed disco tracks into stripped-down, drum machine-based grooves. These pioneers were quickly followed by other producers who began fusing house with other genres like techno, dub and hip-hop. The result was a dynamic new form of music that would go on to dominate dance floors around the globe.

Today, house music is as popular as ever, with new subgenres and hybrid styles emerging all the time. But despite its constantly evolving sound, there are certain key artists who have remained at the forefront of the scene for decades. Here are just a few of the most influential figures in contemporary house music.

1. Danny Tenaglia
A New York institution, Danny Tenaglia is a three-time Grammy nominee and one of the most respected DJs in the world. He first made a name for himself in the ’80s with his legendary sets at clubs like The Palladium and The Limelight, and he’s been a regular fixture on the global club circuit ever since. Tenaglia is also a prolific producer, having released seven artist albums over the course of his career.

2. Carl Cox
Another titan of the international club scene, Carl Cox has been DJing for more than four decades now. He started out playing techno in his native England before becoming one of Ibiza’s most famous residents in the ’90s. Cox is also a keen promoter and label owner, running two successful imprints (Intec Digital and Awesome Soundwave) as well as his own festival (Pure Intec).

3. Green Velvet
Chicago native Green Velvet (real name Curtis Alan Jones) is one of house music’s most distinctive characters. Known for his often outrageous stage persona, he’s been making music since the early ’90s and has released numerous hit singles over the course of his career, including ‘Flash’ (1995), ‘Shake & Pop’ (2003) and ‘La La Land’ (2006).

4. Honey Dijon
One of the most in-demand DJs on the planet right now, Honey Dijon first made a name for herself in her adopted home city of Chicago before scaling new heights with her memorable sets at festivals like Coachella and Burning Man. She’s also an accomplished producer, having released several well-received EPs and remixes on labels like Defected Records and Classic Music Company.