The Cultural Evolution of House Music
“House”, a unique form of electronic dance music, has become the soundtrack for our generation’s clubbing scene. While popularized in The US and Europe today, there is a rich history behind the genre. House has not just influenced music, it has influenced our culture.
The death of disco brought life to house music. With the diminishing popularity of disco, there was a need for creativity and diversity in music. House was more significant than just music, and symbolized the culture of underground nightclubs for many Black, Latino, and Queer communities in the 1970s and 1980s. Similar to disco’s cultural influence, house music offered a safe community away from marginalization and social injustices that were extremely prevalent in the time period. While it is majorly popularized now, it is important to remember the genre’s roots were in Chicago.
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The Chicago underground nightclub “Warehouse” was a place for DJs to experiment with different sounds; ultimately developing house music into what it is today. The nightclubs embraced partying, loud music, dancing, elaborate fashion, and all races, sexualities, and gender identities. The club’s influence on Chicago’s music culture gave the genre its infamous name “house”.
DJs such as Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy pioneered the early methods of mixing and editing. Knuckles was the blueprint for the blending of genres– disco, funk, and pop. Hardy’s sound was louder and faster, but further developed the possibilities of sound and style within the genre. The genre started growing in New York City, thanks to DJ Larry Levan and his remixing at the Paradise Garage Club. Ken Collier took Detroit by storm and developed the EDM scene by playing at various clubs in the city.
These remixes did not stay in underground clubs for long. Levan started selling his mixes on vinyl in New York City record stores. As this genre became more accessible, it allowed for more people outside these three big cities to experience the music. Soon, the records being sold were labeled “As heard at the Warehouse” popularizing the name “house”.
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The genre became wildly popular throughout the late 1980s and 90s as influential DJs started playing house for parties, raves, clubs, concerts, and radio stations. Record labels, such as Trax Records, DJ International Records, Cajual Records, and Dance Mania, began promoting house music.
House music is known for its freedom in sound. The unique mix of genres expressed spiritual and even sexual liberation that young adults connected with, making it the perfect soundtrack to clubs and concerts. The songs have a 4/4 bass beat, relying on sampled voices and sounds, typically very soulful and expressive. Being EDM, the music uses electronic instruments like synthesizers and drum machines. House often uses synchronized bass lines, featuring offbeat rhythms. The sound is very complex and layered, mixing a variety of melodies and patterns.. These elements altogether keep the music high energy and create its infectious energy.
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Today, house music is still a significant part of music and rave culture all around the world. There are massive EDM concerts worldwide, such as Ultra Miami, EDC, Tomorrowland, and Mysteryland. Some modern day house music icons are John Summit, Avicii, Diplo, KAYTRANADA, and David Guetta. Some up-and-coming artists that are gaining popularity in the genre are FISHER, Jungle, Fred again.., and Dom Dolla.
House has demonstrated that a genre of music can have a significant cultural impact on our society. We can thank house for giving us a soundtrack for clubbing and raves.
Strike Out,
Emily Braunstein
Saint Augustine
Editors: Maya Kayyal, Jessica Giraldo
Emily is a writer for Strike Magazine Saint Augustine. She is an avid yoga enthusiast that you can probably find at a coffee shop or the beach writing poetry. You can reach her on Instagram @emilyybraunstein or email her at emilyybraunstein@gmail.com.
