A DJ Guide To Black Dance Music Classics — From Chicago House To New Jersey Club
Thanks to Beyoncé and Drake releasing their own dance albums, Renaissance and Honest, Nevermind, there was renewed interest in dance music, especially black dance music. In their project, you can hear references to several subgenres of black dance, in particular the four subgenres created by black people: Chicago House, Detroit Techno, New Jersey, and the Baltimore Club.
If there's any other subgenre of dance music (Miami bass, New Orleans bounce) behind blacks, these four in particular have been highlighted in recent releases by Bey and Drake. And while it's nice to see them recognized by two mainstream pop stars, that doesn't mean those voices aren't always there, especially in the cities that gave birth to them. From Chicago to Baltimore, you'll always hear old and new DJs performing classic and contemporary tunes in their dance halls.
As the second half of 2022 begins to bring black dance music into the mainstream, we talk to DJs from Chicago, Detroit, New Jersey, and Baltimore about their city dance classics and how they think their dance scene has changed. from their start. This is a DJ's guide to classic Chicago House, Detroit techno, and New Jersey and Baltimore clubs.
Chicago House"What is now called house music has its roots in popular dance music in places like The Loft, The Gallery, Paradise Garage [in New York] and later The Warehouse [in Chicago]," said Chicago DJ Ron Trent. . via email. "Uptempo R&B, which we know today as Disco, was the godfather of house music and hip-hop (disco-rap)."
However, Chicago began to define house music thanks to the late Frankie Knuckles, according to Trent. Knuckles brought his New York dance style to Chicago, specifically the legendary Warehouse club, and started a movement that is still a part of the city and never really left.
"I think it's important to note that while it's popular to talk about house music now, it's always been popular in Chicago," Ray Chardonnay, also a Chicago DJ, said by email. “We've never stopped having conversations, we've never stopped creating space for celebration, or we've stopped making and promoting house music and being innovators in its culture. All of your favorite house music samples, and especially your favorite Chicago artists, almost always count as house. songs on their albums."
"Black and brown youth are making house music today, just as they were in the early days," he added. “I want people to know that house music is really weird. Bow down.
When it comes to DJ choices for classical house music, some people note how the disco sound has given way to dance genres like house, such as MFSB's "Love is the Message", while others talk more about the actual sound that has become. define a. genres, such as Jimmy Principle's "Your Love," sampled by Ron Trent and DJ Duane Powell. - Melissa Kimball
DJ Ron Trent
"Love is a Message" from MFSB
Released in 1973, "Love is the Message" was a huge anthem at The Loft with DJ David Mancuso and later at The Gallery with DJ Nicky Siano. This song in particular helps to encapsulate the message of the story that weaves from the DJ booth to the dance floor. This production by Gamble and Huff Philly International provides the best understanding of how and why dance culture began. The intricate harmonies and heavy drum parts and bass lines are stunning. This record elevates culture, leads to awareness that makes way for new voices to come.
"Your love" by Jimmy Principal.
Your "love" is very important at the beginning of the sound of house music. Produced by Jamie Principle and released to the then-famous Trax Records, the song was an underground classic years before it was released to the public. You can't hear this song unless you listen to Frankie Knuckles playing at his club, The Power Station. It is very alternative but portable. Unforgettable bass line. It was fine art, and a sophisticated and sophisticated sense of the world began.
DJ Ray Chardonnay
"Bright Days" (Underground Mix) by Jajmir & Jai.
It hits the mark structurally and doesn't focus the sound in a way that overwhelms them, using vocals as an important part of the track. Dajae never fails to deliver soulful, gospel vocals that add so much dimension to any track.
"You Loved Me" by Ralphie Rosario and Zafira Gold.
This song touches on early hip-hop in a way that some classic Chicago songs don't. I know Javier sings, but he raps too. That, with the disco drums and everything Ralphie does on this track, is perfect for me.
Duane Powell
"Your love" by Jimmy Principal.
Jimmy's music is house music to me. People imagine that house music is stuff that emerged from the ashes of the funk/disco era, and that's not true. Disco is a house effect, but not the only one. Jimmy's voice is a mix of everything, home with electricity, home with a bit of industry.
"French Kiss" by Lil Lewis
Lil-Louis was one of the first house artists to sign with a major label, and French Kiss definitely changed the way people see what's possible at home.
Detroit TechnologyTechno has gone through many iterations, factions, and eras since its founding in the Detroit suburb of Belleville in the 1980s. The genre has come a long way from the electro/techno sounds of pioneering duos like Cybotron; remember Missy Elliott and Ciara's "Lose Control"? Well, it was built around a segment from Cybotron's classic 'Clear', and to this day you can still find cool tech hanging around town every weekend.
Techno is so ingrained in the fabric of the city that Detroiters may not notice it unlike every late-night backyard or downtown barbecue. This bass, this beat, this energy, this tension? It's techno, and techno is definitely a literary genre that originated in Detroit. Techno's founders and fans are young, black and gay. It's designed for people who can actually start and practice multiple grooves at the same time. Even when mainstream and white producers claim electronic music, it all starts with techno.
We've entered an era where it's easier than ever to find, track and search for music, so a generation of curious black DJs, music lovers, and partygoers can know exactly where their music is coming from. Favorite music: The beauty of being in Detroit, where so many black music stories take place, is that it also holds the promise and challenge of creating something new. The local Black Femme DJs below are doing just that, DJ Etta, DJ Father Dukes, DJ Aunt Chanel, and they've shared some of their favorite songs that represent the sound of the genre and songs that just came out of disco. An era that is also an inseparable part of the birth of techno. - Faith Mixon
and yours
"I Feel Love" by Donna Summer.
"In their fear, they plan to destroy it" Tygapaw
[These songs] are the foundation and the future. Love, resistance and everything in between.
DJ Vader Dukes
"The Bells" by Jeff Mills.
Black Manta Corps by Hoy Zmekri and D-String
For this choice, I opted for something classic and something new, which I think speaks to the resilience of Detroit's electronic music and the fact that the city has strong historical roots while continuing to shape the future of the genre. I'm still amazed to be among a new generation of DJs at your favorite producer's favorite spot visiting a local coffee shop or releasing his new record in store. Nothing beats immersing yourself in the world of music here.
DJ Aunt Chanel
"AUX Mind" (Egyptian Lover Remix) by Aux88
"The Art of the Chase" by Suburban Knight.
I like the mix of heavy bass and industrial music. Detroit culture, gothic culture, and black people are an integral part of my identity. I try to make my choices reflect that.
New JerseyThe Jersey Club sound originated in Newark, New Jersey in the early 1980s and has stylistic origins in garage, deep house, soul, and gospel music. DJ Kerri Chandler and DJ Tony Humphries created the sound that would create the classic Deep House sound for Aly-Us "Follow Me", but in the late 90's and early 2000's Jersey's sound became the genre. Inspirational subgenre electronics club. . From Baltimore Club, Jock, Miami Pass and House. Created by DJ Thamail and DJ Tim Dolla, the hybrid house and hip-hop music fueled early Jersey club music, and their band, Brick Bandits, will help turn sound into movement.
What began when DJs recorded CDs of club songs for sale on Broad Street in Newark, Thamel and Tim Dolla created the popular house party and club mixtape in banquet halls in East Orange, Irvington and Newark, as well as skateboarding records. Skating rinks such as Branch Brook Skating Park in Newark. This safe space will foster the development of inspiring music that has become its own unique sound thanks to young DJs from producers such as DJ Jayhood, R3LL, Nadus, DJ Slink and DJ Fresh.
Jersey clubs played an important role in the development of experimental dance music, but contemporary New Jersey DJs such as DJ Fade, Kia BHN, and Unicorn continue to support the subgenre, playing classics and new songs that resonate with the genre. and redefine it. . Here is their selection of New Jersey clubs. - Kia Turner
dj fade
"Tip Toe" by DJ Frosty and DJ Fade.
This CD taught children to dance and quickly went viral on MySpace. At the time, WIZTV was Jersey's Tik Tok platform, and this music video was a tutorial on how to dance properly.
"Back It Up" by DJ Jayhood.
DJ Jayhud's discography is one of the best in Jersey club history. "Back It Up" hits the T-shirt club scene in the Booty Bounce era.
KIA BHN:
"Shake That Dunk" by DJ Flawless, DJ Jayhood and Nook.
One of the most iconic songs from Jersey club culture and recorded by DJ Jayhood. In addition to "Back It Up", "Shake Dat Donk" influenced the "Booty Bounce" era.
DJ Big O's "Salt Shaker"
Fire production. It was a song that could make anyone dance. “What, What” in the background, the Ying-Yang Twins “Salt Shaker” chorus and the beats of it. he has every chance to hit the Jersey club.
Rhinoceros
"Broken Heart" by DJ Jayhood.
This is a classic Jersey club record that has been remixed many times and embraced by mainstream hip-hop as the precursor to the Jersey club sound. Always classic.
"Ride That Wave" by DJ Frosty
One of the most popular club songs in Jersey. The remix even features Fatman Scoop, Young B and DJ Webstar. This disc will sound like Swag Surf if shot properly.
Baltimore ClubPrior to the club's decisive turn against the Jersey circuit, the first trail of satellite house attractions began to develop in the Atlantic sector.
Launched by local producers Scotty Bee, Frank Skee and DJ Technics, The Baltimore Club is the first Baltimore club to tour the East Coast of Chicago and Detroit based on synth and sample dance music experiences. Sticky, restrained and magnetically symmetrical, the Baltimore club blends American club and checker frequencies, combining the tiresome BPM of Miami bass, Chicago house parts and high-octane British barn babble. In its first form, Baltimore's regional sound was also a hip-house genre, between the golden age of rap recording and the first brief (but powerful) chart boom of the 1990s, with an instantly recognizable sound. A signature break for Lynn Collins' "Think" produced by James Brown.
While the addition of Jersey and Philly is an important part of the latest pop in club music, you need to turn to I-95 to understand the recent history of dance music. We spoke to several DJs, modern club kids, and Baltimore producers about the sounds that shape their own journey on beat tracks. - Sun
Abdo Ali
"How do you want to wear it?" Miss Tony's door
Miss Tony is the symbol of the Baltimore club. They are a staple of the city's culture and one of my musical heroes. Having a black icon as a role model is a blessing and this song is one of my favorite Miss Toni songs.
"Feel It In The Air" by Blaqstarr.
Honestly, the entire Blaqstarr movie is the soundtrack to my music, but this song really exists. It was mental magic, and although he didn't say much, I knew exactly what kind of energy he was feeling.
Al Rogers Jr
Lil Lucky's "Best Friend".
"Bestfriend" is one of those club songs I've heard over 92.Q in the club, but it's still a classic, partly because of its rarity. This is definitely one of those forgotten gems.
"Dance the Pain Away" by Rod Lee.
"Dance My Pain Away" is a Baltimore spiritual novel. When we feel sad, insecure and sad, this song helps us all cheer ourselves up.
