House Music: The Beat that Changed Dance Floors Forever
House music is one of the most influential genres of modern dance music. It’s
hard to imagine today’s clubbing scene without it. Let’s take a journey through
its history, how it rose from the ashes of disco, and why it’s still going strong.
A Playback to the 1980s: The Birth of House Music
House music was born in the early 1980s in Chicago, USA, after the rise and
fall of disco. In 1979, around 60,000 rock fans gathered in Chicago’s Comiskey
Park for the infamous “Disco Demolition Night,” led by DJ Steve Dahl, to
protest disco music. Disco had once been the dominant sound, but by the late
'70s, people were fed up with it. This backlash pushed disco underground, and
from this, house music emerged.
House music began at Chicago's Warehouse nightclub. This is where DJ
Frankie Knuckles, now known as the Godfather of House, mixed disco and
electronic sounds into something new. Frankie created a fresh, more mechanical
sound with deep basslines that got people dancing all night. Soon, people were
asking record stores for "Warehouse music," which was shortened to house
music.
Defining House Music
House music is instantly recognizable, and while it might seem like just another
genre of dance music, it has certain features that make it stand out. The most
obvious is the steady “four on the floor” beat, where the bass drum hits on every
beat. You’ll hear syncopated hi-hats, funky basslines, and gospel-inspired vocal
samples that give it energy and excitement. While there is no definitive
definition of house music, it does have several elements that make it easily
identifiable.
The tempo of house music usually ranges from 110 to 130 beats per minute
(BPM), although some songs can be even faster. The repetitive rhythm creates a
hypnotic effect that’s perfect for dancing. House music is often about creating a
vibe that lets people lose themselves in the music.
House Music Today: Still Going Strong
House music has continued to evolve and shape modern music, and it’s not
going anywhere. Thanks to globalization, technology, and the blending of
different musical styles, house music is still influencing artists worldwide. It has
even led to the creation of many sub-genres like Acid House, Afro House, Bass
House, Chicago House, Deep House, Electro House, Funky House, Future
House, Garage House, and Latin House. That is the value of house music: it can
be recycled and remixed with sounds from various genres. From its roots, house
music is consistently evolving and spawning new identities.
Even today, house music is a staple at big electronic dance music (EDM)
festivals, and many pop artists mix house beats into their songs. House music
continues to inspire, evolve, and give us new sounds to enjoy.
The Legacy of House Music
Music, in all its forms, has always had a major impact on our lives. It relaxes us,
gets us energized, and even makes us money. House music is one of the most
important genres in the music world, and it has influenced everything from
dance floors to popular music.
While house music is a type of underground dance music, its influence is
everywhere now. It’s proven that music genres don’t die; they adapt, evolve,
and stay relevant as long as there are artists pushing new ideas forward.
