A DJ Guide To Black Dance Music Classics — From Chicago House To New Jersey Club
Beyoncé and Drake released their dance-themed albums Renaissance and Fairly, Nevermind, which revived interest in traditional dance music, especially black dance music. In their projects, you'll hear references to some of the subgenres of black dance, in particular the four subgenres created by blacks: Chicago House, Detroit Techno, and Clubs in New Jersey and Baltimore.
While Black People lags behind other dance music subgenres (Miami Bass, New Orleans Bounce), these four have been particularly prominent in recent Be and Drake releases. And while it's nice to see two of pop music's biggest stars being recognized by the mainstream, that doesn't mean these voices haven't always existed, especially in the cities that spawned them. From Chicago to Baltimore, you'll hear DJs play classics - and current favorites - from their dance subgenres.
As black dance music became mainstream in the second half of 2022, we spoke to DJs from Chicago, Detroit, New Jersey and Baltimore about their city's dance classics, as well as how they felt after the changing dance scene. beginning. This is a guide to Chicago House and Detroit's art and club classics from New Jersey and Baltimore.
Chicago house“What is now called house music can be found on dance floors such as the Loft, Gallery and Paradise Garage (in New York) and later at The Warehouse (in Chicago),” explains longtime Chicago DJ Ron. Trent explained in an email. Which we now know as Disco. He is the father of hip-hop (rap).
But according to Trent, it was Chicago that set the house music for the late Frankie Knuckles. Knuckles began by bringing his New York-style dance group to Chicago, especially the popular Warehouse Club, a movement that is still part of the city today and never faded away.
"I think it's important to note that while black talk in house music is now popular, it has always been popular in Chicago," Chicago DJ Ray Chardon said in an email. “We have never stopped contributing to the culture and being a promoter, whether it is giving lectures, building festival venues, or making house music. All of your favorite music and tracks from your favorite Chicago artists can always be considered a home track on their album.”
"Young blacks and browns listen to house music just as much as they did when they were kids," he said. "I want people to know that house music is black ecstasy from the ground up. Support."
As for classic DJ tracks, some, like MFSB's "Love Is the Message," highlight how disco turns a dance floor into a home, while others are more about the exact sound it came with. The genre, like "Your Love" by Jimmy Principe, is a song chosen by Ron Trent and fellow DJ Duane Powell. - Melissa Kimball
DJ Ron Trent
"Love is the Message" from MFSB
In the year of its release in 1973, "Love Is the Message" was a hit at The Loft with DJ David Mancuso and later at The Gallery with DJ Nicky Ciano. This song in particular helped convey the message of the story from the DJ booth to the dance floor. This production from Gamble and Half Philly International represents the pure energy of how and why dance culture was born. The harmony is state-of-the-art, while the rhythm section and unique heavy bass line are charming. This recording lifted the culture and ignited the spirit that paved the way for the emergence of a new sound.
"Your Love" Jimmy the Director's door
"Your Love" is essential to the early sound of house music. The song, produced by Jamie Principal and later released on Popular Track Records, was an underground classic before it was officially released. You won't hear this song unless you go and listen to Frankie Nichols playing at the power station. It was very optional, but impressive. The bass line was unforgettable. It was a great art, and the pioneering dark world began to be acquainted with it.
DJ Paradise Chardonnay
"Bright Day" (underground mix) Kazmer and Days
It hits the mark with structure and doesn't focus on vocals in a way that uses vocals as an essential part of the track. Daga never misses an opportunity to show courage by delivering gospel singing that makes any track sound bigger.
"You Loved Me" by Ralphie Rosario and Zafira Gold
This track goes back to the early days of hip-hop like no other classic house in Chicago. I know Javira sang, but he also rapped. That combined with the disco drums and what Ralphie does on this track really makes me want to.
Duane Powell
"Your Love" Jimmy the Director's door
Jimmy's music is personal music to me. People think house music came from the ashes of the funk/disco era, which isn't true. Disco is the house effect, but not the only one. Jimmy's voice was a mixture of everything: electronic home and a bit of industrial home.
"French Kiss" Lil Lowe
Lil Lewis was one of the first new house artists to sign on to a major label, and "French Kiss" changed how people saw what was possible in house music.
Detroit technoTechno has had many iterations, teams, and eras since its inception in Detroit Belleville in the 1980s. The genre has come a long way since pioneering duo like cyborg created the electric/technical sound - you know. Remember "Loss Control" by Missy Elliott and Ciara? Well, it's based on a sample of the classic cyborg "Clear" - and to this day you can find a good techno set in town every weekend.
Techno is so ingrained in the fabric of the city that Detroiter has no idea it looks any different from every backyard or downtown barbecue. That bass, that punch, that power, that power? It's techno, and techno is definitely the Detroit type. The founders and fans of techno were young, black, and gay men. It's made by people who can really get down and deal a lot of punches at the same time. While regular white listeners and producers are clamoring for electronic music, it all started with techno.
We've come to an age where finding, searching, and searching for music is easier than ever, so that the next generation of curious black DJs, music geeks, and partygoers can know exactly where their favorite music comes from. The beauty of life in Detroit, where the history of black music took place, is the hope and challenge to create something new. The next group of DJs Black Fame - DJ Etta, DJ Father Dukes and DJ Aunt Chanel - did the same and share their favorite artistic tracks that represent the sound and music of both genres. The disco era played a decisive role in the birth of techno. - Imani Mixon
And you
"I Feel Love" by Donna Summer
In Tegabo, they "planned to destroy it out of fear".
[These songs] are the foundation and the future. Love, resistance and everything.
DJ father of the Dukes
Bills by Jeff Mills
"Black Manta Corps" Bab Huey Zakri and Dr. String
For this selection, I chose classics and new materials that speak to the enduring power of electronic music in Detroit and that the city is deeply rooted in history and shapes the future. I wonder why there is a new generation of DJs when your favorite producer is sitting in the coffee shop on the corner or releasing new recordings in the store. You can't drown in the music scene here.
DJ Aunt Chanel
"AUX Mind" (Egyptian Lover Remix) By Aux88
"The Art of Accumulation" Night in the Suburbs
I love the mix of heavy bass and industrial music. Detroit culture, black and goth are an inseparable part of me. I try to reflect this in my choices.
New JerseyFormed in Newark, New Jersey in the early 1980s, Jersey Club Sound has stylistic roots in garage home, deep house, soul, and gospel music. DJs like DJ Carey Chandler and DJ Tony Humphries pioneered the classic "Follow me" sound in the Alley-Us deep house, but in the late '90s and early 2000s, Jersey's sound faded into the background, inspiring electronic club music. - It would be kind. At the Baltimore Jock Club, Miami Pass and House. The house/hip hop hybrid created by Jersey Club Music-inspired DJ Tamil and DJ Tim Dolla, and their team, Brick Gang, help turn sound into action.
A mix of popular club and house tracks that began when DJs recorded sold-out club track CDs on Broad Street in Newark, Thamel and Tim Dola created a mix of party-accompanied club and house tracks and rolled into nightclubs in East Orange, Irvington. and Newark. The Brook Park branch in Newark is an ice rink. These safe havens encourage exciting musical development, and young DJs like DJ Juhood, R3LL, Nadus, DJ Slink and DJ Fresh continue to develop their unique sound.
The Jersey Club has been instrumental in promoting experimental dance music, but contemporary New Jersey DJs such as DJ Fade, Kia BHN, and Unicorn continue to defend and redefine the subgenre, playing classical music and introducing new tunes. Here is their selection of clubs in New Jersey. - Kia Turner
DJ food
"Tip Toe" Door of DJ Frosty and DJ Fade
Only this CD teaches kids to dance and go viral on MySpace. WIZTV was Jersey's Tik Tok platform at the time, and the music video was a lesson in how to dance properly.
Backup DJ Jehod
DJ Juhood discography is one of the best songs in the history of Jersey Club. "Back Up" had an impact on the jersey club scene during the "Booty Bounce" era.
KIA BHN
"Shake That Pony" by DJ Flawless, DJ Jayhood and Knock
One of the most popular songs of Jersey club culture and DJ Juhud. "Shake That Dunk" and "Back It Up" influenced the Booty Bounce era.
"Salt Cellar" DJ Big O . door
Fire production. This is a song that anyone can dance to. "What, what" plays in the background, "Salt Shaker" is composed by the Ying-Yang twins, and this rhythmic decadence is the influences of the Jersey Club.
Rhino
"Heartbroken" Door of DJ Jayhood
It is the definitive Jersey Club record, remixed several times, and a precursor to the Jersey Club sound in mainstream hip-hop. Forever classic.
"Ride That Wave" DJ Frosty's door
One of Jersey's most famous club songs. The remix features Fatman Scoop, Young B, and DJ Webster. This record would have been a "Swag Surf" if done correctly.
Baltimore ClubBefore club music roamed the Jersey Turnpike, early signs of a satellite house scene began to appear in the mid-Atlantic.
Founded by local producers Scotty Bee and Frank Ski and DJ Techniques, The Baltimore Club was one of the first East Coast experiments and samples in Chicago and Detroit. Sticky, devastating and magnetically symmetrical, Baltimore combines the frequencies of US and ocean clubs, the exhausting BPM of Miami bass, the agonizing spaces of a Chicago home, and the heartbreaking cadence of a high-octane UK warehouse. In its first form, the Baltimore regional sound was also a diverse genre of hip-house, the missing link between the golden age of rap records and the brief (but powerful) chart boom of the mid-1990s, with instantly recognizable characteristics. Excerpt from Lynne Collins' song "Thinking" produced by James Brown.
While the Jersey and Philadelphia extensions are essential components of the popularity of modern club music, to understand the history of modern dance music, you have to go back to I-95. We spoke to some of the Baltimore DJs, contemporary club villains and sound producers making their way along the rhythm track. Atmosphere
Abdo Ali
"How would you like to wear it" Miss Tony
Miss Tony is a club icon in Baltimore. They are a huge figure in urban culture and one of my musical heroes. Growing up is a blessing to have a black gay symbol as an example and this song is one of my favorite Miss Tony songs.
“Feel the Air” by Blaqstarr
To be honest, Blaqstarr's entire discography is the soundtrack to my music career, but this song really is. She's a spirit witch, and even though she doesn't talk much, I know exactly what kind of energy she feels.
Al Rogers Jr.
"Best Friend" Lil Lucky
"Bestfriend" is one of the club songs you hear often at 92.Q, but it's still a classic due to its rarity. This is definitely one of those forgotten gems.
"Dance my pain away" Rod Lee door
"Dance My Pain Away" Baltimore Spiritual. When we were feeling sad, insecure and sad, this song helped us all feel at ease.
