Chicago House

Chicago house is a subgenre of house music that originated in Chicago in the early 1980s. It is characterized by its repetitive 4/4 beat, prominent basslines, synthesized drums, and sparse arrangements, often incorporating elements of disco, funk, and soul.

Chicago house emerged from the city's underground club scene in the early 1980s. DJs like Frankie Knuckles at the Warehouse club (from which 'house' music is said to derive its name) and Ron Hardy at the Music Box began experimenting with blending disco records with drum machines and synthesizers. These early experiments led to the creation of a new sound that was raw, energetic, and distinctly different from disco. Key figures in the development of Chicago house include Marshall Jefferson, Larry Heard (Mr. Fingers), Phuture, and Steve 'Silk' Hurley. Tracks like 'On and On' by Jesse Saunders and 'Your Love' by Frankie Knuckles are considered some of the earliest examples of the genre. The music quickly spread beyond Chicago, influencing electronic music scenes around the world.