Footwork (genre)
Footwork is a genre of music and street dance that originated in Chicago during the 1990s.[1]
| Footwork | |
|---|---|
| Stylistic origins | |
| Cultural origins | 1990s, Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Typical instruments | Sampler, drum machine (Roland TR-808),[2] synthesizer, sequencer |
The dance involves fast movement of the feet with accompanying twists and turns, and usually takes place as part of a "battle".[3] The style was popularised outside Chicago by inclusion in the music video for Dude 'n Nem's 2007 single "Watch My Feet".[4]
The music style has evolved from the earlier, rapid rhythms of juke and ghetto house, a change pioneered by R.P. Boo.[3] It may draw from styles such as drum and bass, utilizing double-time clave triplets, syncopated toms and prominent sub-bass.[5] Tracks also frequently feature heavily syncopated samples from rap, pop, and other sources, and are often around 160 bpm.[6]
Radio station Afropop Worldwide remarked on the genre and its developments in 2011, saying that:
| “ | The most recent development in house's evolution, however, is a sound called 'footwork'. On Friday evenings at the Underground Tracks Factory, teenagers face off and improvise footwork dance battles. Their feet fly at insane speeds, something of a cross between house dance, tap dancing and breakdancing footwork. It looks like a dance from another dimension. The music they dance to is related to juke, but it's way more spacious, with more rhythmic complexity. Some tracks like "Reverb" by DJ Rashad are downright experimental walls of pulsating noise that would make John Cage proud. All these styles speak to the truth that house music never really left Chicago, as is often said. Its legacy continues to reverberate and mutate throughout the city.[7] | ” |
The style received more global attention after the unexpected death of footwork pioneer DJ Rashad in 2014.[5] Newer footwork artists such as Jlin have helped popularize the style among European audiences.[5][8]
See also
References
- ↑ Sheffield, Hazel (2010-05-27). "Footwork takes competitive dancing to the Chicago streets". The Guardian. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
- ↑ http://www.factmag.com/2016/09/22/the-14-drum-machines-that-shaped-modern-music/
- 1 2 SAMI YENIGUN and WILLS GLASSPIEGEL (2010-12-06). "Chicago's Footwork Music And Dance Get A Transatlantic Lift". National Public Radio. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
- ↑ Raymer, Miles (2010-04-01). "Music for Feet:The Chicago dance style footwork already has MTV's attention. But footwork music may be too weird for mainstream ears.". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
- 1 2 3 Arnold, Jacob. "Fancy footwork: how Chicago's juke scene found its feet again". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
- ↑ Cush, Andy. "Jlin’s Rust Belt Modernism". Spin. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
- ↑ "Midwest Electric: The Story of Chicago House and Detroit Techno". Afropop Worldwide. 2011-06-16. Event occurs at 7:30. Public Radio International. Retrieved 2011-06-17.
- ↑ Martin-McCormick, Daniel. "Tracks: Jlin – "Challenge (To Be Continued)"". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 3 May 2017.