House music: History and Key Facts

House music, or simply house, is a type of electronic dance music which is characterized by a repetitive four-on-the-floor beat and a typical tempo of 115–130 beats per minute. It was created in Chicago by DJs and music producers from the city's queer Black underground club culture and evolved slowly in the early/mid 1980s as DJs began altering disco songs to give them a more mechanical beat. By early 1988, house became mainstream and supplanted the typical '80s music beat.

House is one of the first forms of electronic dance music. It was created and pioneered by DJs and producers in Chicago such as Frankie Knuckles, Ron Hardy, Jesse Saunders, Chip E., Joe Smooth, Steve "Silk" Hurley, Farley "Jackmaster" Funk, Marshall Jefferson, Phuture, and others. House music then expanded to New York City, and internationally to cities such as London, and ultimately became a worldwide phenomenon.

House has a large influence on pop music, especially dance music. It was incorporated into works by major international artists including Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Madonna, Pet Shop Boys, Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga and many others, and produced many mainstream hits such as "Pump Up the Jam" by Technotronic, "French Kiss" by Lil Louis, "Show Me Love" by Robin S., and "Push the Feeling On" by the Nightcrawlers. Many house DJs also did and continue to do remixes for pop artists. House music is popular on radio and in clubs while retaining a foothold on the underground scenes across the globe as well.

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