EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE SOUNDS OF BLACK ORIGIN

Here at City Splash we represent reggae, dancehall and afrobeats, but if you didn’t know, Black people are behind so many other genres. We explore the origins of rock ’n’ roll, house and disco music, plus the faces behind these alternative sounds. 

Rock ’n’ roll was influenced by a Black music genre called ‘the blues’ which came from the deep south of America. Its origins can be traced back to the late 1940s when people began to experiment with a new sound aided by electric guitars and steady drum beats. There are many names that can be linked to the shaping of the genre, but only Sister Rosetta Tharpe can take the trophy for the creation of the classic rock ’n’ roll sound. - A self-taught guitarist who developed the sound from gospel music. We must also mention Chuck Berry, arguably, one of the most influential stars of the genre and commonly referred to as the ‘Father of rock ’n’ roll’. Combining clever lyrics with distinctive guitar sounds and an electric stage presence! Berry once said “It [rock ‘n’ roll] started out as rhythm and blues. There wasn’t nobody playing it at the time but Black people” (Time Magazine, 2001). 

Disco arrived in the late 1960s, taking the reins from ‘funk’ which was the most popular genre at the time. New York was home to disco, but the sound quickly migrated to Miami, San Francisco, Chicago and other big cities. In the early days, disco music wasn’t played on the radio regardless of it being the most popular genre at the time! This created a big buzz for the few DJ’s that showcased the sound, before it entered the mainstream in 1977 and saw the birth of the iconic Studio 54. Disco acted as a subculture that created a camaraderie between races and gender and was first celebrated by African American, Latino and LGBT+ communities. Key pioneers include Donna Summer, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Sister Sledge and Gloria Gaynor! 

By the 1980’s house music was forming, with roots in Chicago, Illinois and the genre referred to as the first descendent of disco incorporating elements of disco, electronic and funk. The genre can be traced back to ‘The Warehouse’ which was a popular club in the city where DJ Frankie Knuckles played an eclectic selection of sounds which he coined ‘house music’. Not only did this name come from the shortening of ‘warehouse’, but it also represented the sense of community and belonging that this new club culture fostered. Predominantly, African American, Latino and queer communities popularised the underground nightclubs that pioneered this new music; these clubs provided safe havens for people who needed an escape from social issues.

Over the years, these three genres have evolved, giving birth to new sub-genres and unique styles. Nowadays, we can find these sounds embraced by a range of communities, however it’s important to pay homage and celebrate the pioneers who laid the foundations!