Black Experience on Xfinity Original Series: In Our DNA: Hip House

Summary

The video script explores the evolution of house music, highlighting its fusion with hip-hop to create 'hip house.' It discusses how house music once featured orchestration, horns, and lyrics over fast beats, while hip-hop's influence brought new energy to dance music. The speaker reflects on the genre's growth, how it was embraced by young people, and its resurgence on platforms like TikTok. Additionally, the script touches on Chicago house music's challenges with pirate labels and how house music fostered a unique sense of unity among diverse groups.

Takeaways

• 🎵 House music used to have full orchestrations with horns, screams, and chorus lines.
• 💓 The heartbeat-like beat of house music was powerful, with real lyrics on top of fast beats.
• 🎤 Hip-hop began infiltrating various types of music, particularly dance music.
• ⚡ The fusion of house and hip-hop led to the creation of a new style called 'hip house.'
• 🎶 Hip house was seen as a revival of disco's essence, giving it the recognition it deserved.
• 🔥 The sound evolved with heavier bass, scratching, and cutting, making it appealing to both hip-hop and house fans.
• 🎧 The blending of hip house and hip-hop made it difficult to distinguish between the two during a key period.
• 📱 Platforms like TikTok have played a role in popularizing and bringing new iterations of club music.
• 💡 Despite changes, hip-hop hasn't disappeared but evolved, being rebranded in different forms.
• 🏆 Chicago house music faced issues with pirate labels and royalties, but it was significant in bringing people together across segregated communities.

Q & A

What was a key element in the evolution of house music according to the transcript?

House music originally featured full orchestrations, horns, scream choruses, and beats that felt like a heartbeat. It evolved by incorporating real lyrics on top of fast house beats, which reflected the influence of hip-hop.

How did hip-hop influence house music?

Hip-hop infiltrated various music genres, particularly dance music, leading to a fusion where beats from hip-hop were added to house music. This blending of genres brought a new style called 'hip house.'

What is 'hip house' as described in the transcript?

Hip house is a fusion of house music and hip-hop. The artist describes it as taking the 'hop' out and putting the 'house' in, creating a sound that appealed to both hip-hop and house music fans.

How did the rise of 'hip house' reflect a broader musical trend?

The rise of 'hip house' symbolized the wider acceptance and fusion of different genres, such as hip-hop and disco. This opened the door for other genres to blend and evolve.

What was the role of Chicago in the development of house music?

Chicago played a central role in the development of house music, but it faced challenges due to two pirate labels that didn't pay royalties to artists. Despite the city's segregation, house music brought people together for the first time.

What does the transcript suggest about the current state of house music?

The transcript suggests that house music is making a comeback, with DJs and producers keeping the genre exciting and evolving. TikTok has also played a role in popularizing club music, including house.

How did the hatred of disco influence the development of house music?

The hatred of disco led to a shift in sound, with the bass becoming heavier and more scratching and cutting, reflecting the influence of hip-hop. This helped differentiate house music from its disco roots.

What impact has social media had on the popularity of club music?

Platforms like TikTok have significantly increased the visibility and popularity of club music, making it almost impossible to scroll through without hearing house and club beats.

What is the connection between hip-hop and house music today?

The transcript suggests that hip-hop has not disappeared but has instead evolved. Modern artists like Lil Uzi Vert are still creating music that blends elements of hip-hop with other genres, including house.

What cultural significance did house music have in Chicago?

House music in Chicago marked a cultural shift, as it brought together people from different backgrounds for the first time in a segregated city, creating a unifying musical movement.