This Dead Genre is Taking Over K-pop

Summary

In 2023, two iconic genres, New Jack Swing and UK Garage, have made a strong comeback in K-pop. These styles, once popular in the '80s and '90s, are now influencing groups like New Jeans, Trip S, and Rise, as their groovy, syncopated rhythms and funky basslines create a fresh yet nostalgic sound. Music producers can capitalize on this trend by embracing these genres' minimalist beats and catchy rhythms. The rise of retro-inspired K-pop is opening new opportunities for creators to experiment with groove-heavy, danceable tracks, bridging the past and present in a dynamic way.

Takeaways

• 😀 New Jack Swing, a genre from the '80s and '90s, is influencing modern K-pop music, offering a funky groove that appeals to current trends.
• 😀 New Jeans is a key example of a K-pop group incorporating New Jack Swing into their music, demonstrating its crossover potential into contemporary K-pop.
• 😀 New Jack Swing is known for its swing rhythm and syncopation, which emphasize the offbeat to create a groovy, bouncy feel in tracks.
• 😀 To make a New Jack Swing-inspired beat, adjust the high hat to emphasize the offbeat for a bouncier, groovier sound.
• 😀 The influence of funk is evident in K-pop tracks like Trip S, where the bassline is funky and plays a key role in driving the groove of the song.
• 😀 K-pop tracks inspired by New Jack Swing tend to balance complexity with catchiness, combining simpler verses with more energetic, funk-driven choruses.
• 😀 The danceability of New Jack Swing is a major reason for its continued popularity in K-pop, as the genre's groove enhances the movement of the music.
• 😀 K-pop's incorporation of UK Garage, a genre from the '90s, is growing in popularity, with groups like New Jeans making it mainstream.
• 😀 UK Garage beats feature shuffled hi-hats, offbeat emphasis, and beat skipping, creating a unique groove that resonates with K-pop's rhythmic needs.
• 😀 To make UK Garage-inspired K-pop music, focus on minimalistic beats with sidechain bass and avoid overcomplicating the melodic aspects to complement the rhythm.
• 😀 Producers can experiment with different genres like New Jack Swing and UK Garage to create music that taps into the current K-pop trend of revisiting '90s sounds.
• 😀 The growing trend of using old-school music styles in K-pop is a perfect opportunity for producers to capitalize on, with free sound kits available to help them get started.

Q & A

What is New Jack Swing, and why is it important in the K-pop industry?

New Jack Swing is a genre that originated in the 1980s, blending elements of R&B, funk, and hip-hop with a rhythmic, syncopated style. It's important in the K-pop industry because of its groove, which enhances danceability, making it a perfect fit for K-pop's emphasis on energetic choreography.

Why did the K-pop industry only recently embrace New Jack Swing despite its earlier popularity?

New Jack Swing remained somewhat irrelevant in Korea until 2023, when it began making a resurgence. The genre’s rhythmic and groove-heavy elements became more appealing as K-pop evolved, especially with groups like New Jeans and Trip S bringing it back into mainstream K-pop.

How did New Jeans influence the incorporation of New Jack Swing into K-pop?

New Jeans played a crucial role by incorporating New Jack Swing into their music, particularly with their song 'Supernatural.' Their use of funky grooves and modern production techniques introduced this genre to a wider K-pop audience.

What role does swing play in creating the groove in New Jack Swing music?

Swing refers to a rhythmic pattern that emphasizes the offbeat, creating syncopation. This swing feeling is the foundation of the groove in New Jack Swing, giving the music its characteristic bounce and making it more engaging for listeners and dancers.

How did the producer of Trip S blend New Jack Swing with modern K-pop elements?

The producer combined the traditional New Jack Swing groove with modern elements by adding a funky bassline, high-hat adjustments, and syncopated rhythms. They also experimented with more minimalistic verses and a funkier, EDM-inspired chorus to create a fusion of old and new.

What makes UK Garage different from New Jack Swing in terms of its influence on K-pop?

UK Garage, which originated in the 1990s in England, brings a more minimalistic approach to rhythm and beats. It uses shuffling high-hats, offbeat rhythms, and skipping kicks, creating a momentum-driven sound that K-pop groups, such as New Jeans, have recently embraced.

Why is danceability so crucial in the integration of New Jack Swing and UK Garage into K-pop?

Both genres are highly danceable because their beats and rhythms naturally encourage movement. New Jack Swing’s syncopated grooves and UK Garage’s rhythmic shuffle both enhance the overall dance experience, making them a natural fit for the high-energy performances in K-pop.

What makes UK Garage an appealing choice for K-pop producers?

UK Garage’s minimalistic yet dynamic beats offer a fresh alternative to the more complex arrangements typical in K-pop. Its rhythm-driven sound allows for greater focus on groove and momentum, which fits well with K-pop’s energetic style and emphasis on catchy, straightforward beats.

How do K-pop producers incorporate elements from multiple genres like New Jack Swing and UK Garage?

Producers blend elements from multiple genres by combining groove-heavy rhythms, funk-inspired basslines, and minimalistic beats. They may layer these with modern synths, percussion, and rhythmic switches to create songs that are both nostalgic and contemporary, catering to diverse musical tastes.

How does the producer’s sound kit contribute to the creation of K-pop beats in this style?

The producer’s throwback K-pop sound kit provides a range of samples that emulate the sounds of New Jack Swing, UK Garage, and other retro genres. These sounds, such as funky basslines, high-hat adjustments, and specific percussion loops, help producers replicate the authentic feel of these genres while allowing room for modern K-pop experimentation.