House Music Forever: The History and Future of the Genre
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House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago in the 1980s. It is characterized by a repetitive four-on-the-floor beat and often contains samples of older disco or Funk tracks.
Origins of House Music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music characterized by a repetitive four-on-the-floor beat and a dominant synthesized bassline. The genre was originated in the early 1980s in Chicago. House music quickly spread to other parts of the United States and then to the rest of the world.
Where it all began
The first stirrings of what would become house music were happening in the Chicago clubs of the late 1970s. At the time, the city was a hotbed of musical activity, with both new and established artists experimenting with different sounds and styles. One of the most popular genres at the time was disco, which was enjoying widespread popularity thanks to hits like Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” and the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive.” House music builds on the foundation laid by disco, but with a few key differences.
One of the most important aspects of house music is the use of electronic instruments and synthesizers. This give the genre its distinctive sound, which is often characterized by a thumping bassline and repetitive melody. House music is also built around the concept of a continuous mix, meaning that tracks are blended together seamlessly to create a non-stop flow of sound. This is in contrast to disco, which tended to feature individual songs with distinct beginning and endings.
The first house tracks began appearing on vinyl in the early 1980s, but it wasn’t until 1986 that the genre truly exploded onto the club scene with Jesse Saunders’ “On and On.” From there, house music went from strength to strength, spawning sub-genres like acid house and becoming one of the most popular forms of dance music in the world. Today, house music continues to evolve and grow, with new artists pushing the boundaries of what is possible with this enduring style.
The first house tracks
The first house tracks were created in the early to mid-1980s by DJs in Chicago. These DJs, who were influenced by earlier disco, soul and funk DJs, blended these genres with electronic music to create a new sound. The first house tracks were played at what became known as “house parties.” These parties were held in basements or garages and often went all night long.
The popularity of house music spread to other parts of the United States and then to Europe in the late 1980s and early 1990s. By the mid-1990s, house music was being played in nightclubs all over the world. In the 21st century, house music has continued to evolve, with new subgenres emerging (such as funky house and deep house) and new artists making their mark on the genre.
The History of House Music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago in the early 1980s. The style was developed by DJ’s who were influenced by disco, post-disco, soul, and funk. House music quickly became popular in clubs and soon spread to other parts of the world.
The rise of house music
The rise of house music can be traced back to the early 1980s, when a group of DJs in Chicago started playing a new style of electronic dance music that was heavily influenced by the music of African-American and Latino communities in the city. This new style of music, which came to be known as house music, quickly gained popularity in clubs and dance parties around the world. By the end of the 1980s, house music had become a global phenomenon, with hits like “Pump Up The Volume” by MARRS and “House Nation” by The Girard Brothers becoming club anthems.
In the 1990s, house music continued to evolve, with artists like Armand van Helden and DJ Sneak introducing new sonic elements to the genre. At the same time, a new generation of producers and DJs, including Daft Punk and French duo Cassius, were bringing house music to a wider audience through their innovative productions and performances.
Today, house music is more popular than ever, with artists like Calvin Harris and Disclosure regularly topping the charts. And while the sound of house music has changed considerably since its early days in Chicago, its ability to make people move their feet remains undeniable.
The fall of house music
The fall of house music can be traced back to a number of factors. The first is the rise of other genres, such as trance and techno, which began to gain popularity in the late 1990s. Secondly, the commercialization of house music led to a decline in its underground appeal. Finally, the9/11 attacks had a significant impact on the nightclub scene in America, which was one of the key markets for house music.
The Future of House Music
Despite its well-documented journey from obscurity to global phenomenon, the future of house music is clouded in uncertainty. The commercialisation of the sound, the ever-changing landscape of the music industry, and the fickle nature of the mainstream listener all pose serious threats to the survival of the genre. But with its rich history and passionate fanbase, house music might just have what it takes to weather the storm.
The resurgence of house music
It’s been a long time since house music has been on the mainstream radar. But in recent years, there’s been a resurgence of interest in the genre, with new artists and producers taking influence from the past and bringing something fresh to the table.
There’s no doubt that house music has a rich history, dating back to the early 1980s when it first emerged from Chicago. Since then, it’s gone through many different phases and iterations, evolving and changing as times and tastes have changed.
But one thing has remained constant: the ability of house music to make people move. Whether it’s the hypnotic groove of a deep house track or the hands-in-the-air euphoria of a more uplifting style, there’s something about house music that just gets people moving.
And that’s why we think it has a bright future ahead of it. In a world where so much music is created with computers, there’s something real and human about house music that can’t be replicated. It’s all about getting people together and making them move, and there’s nothing that does that better than house music.
The new house sound
The traditional elements of house music are becoming increasingly popular in mainstream pop and EDM, leading some producers to experiment with new sounds and styles while still remaining true to the genre’s roots. This has resulted in a new wave of house music that is both accessible to a wider audience and faithful to the genre’s history.
One of the most notable recent examples of this trend is the rise of “g-house,” a subgenre that combines elements of garage and house music. G-house is characterized by its heavy basslines and 808 drums, as well as its use of samples from classic house tracks. The style has been embraced by major labels and artists such as Skrillex, Diplo, and Major Lazer, helping to bring it to a wider audience.
Other producers are taking a more experimental approach to their music, incorporating elements of trap, techno, and even funk into their tracks. This has led to the development of subgenres like “future house” and “deep house,” which are beginning to gain popularity in both underground and mainstream circles.
As the popularity of house music continues to grow, it is likely that we will see even more experimentation and evolution within the genre. So whatever your taste, there is sure to be a type of house music that you’ll enjoy!
