House music is a genre of electronic dance music (EDM) that originated in Chicago in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to Black and Latino communities before gaining wider recognition.
Characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat, typically produced by a drum machine, house music often makes use of the bass drum on every beat (a technique known as four-to-the-floor), off-beat hi-hat cymbals, and synthesized basslines. It may also include funk, soul, or disco-inspired melodies and percussion elements.
In terms of structure, house songs often feature a ‘drop’ where the melody and other musical elements temporarily disappear, leaving the rhythmic elements to stand alone. This is followed by a build-up and return of the full musical arrangement, creating a sense of anticipation and release.
Prominent house music artists and DJs include Frankie Knuckles, often credited as the ‘Godfather of House’, as well as Marshall Jefferson, Larry Heard, and countless others.
House music has significantly influenced many other genres of music and has given rise to numerous sub-genres, such as deep house, tech house, and acid house.
For more comprehensive information, visit the House Music page on Wikipedia.