Electronica is a genre which covers a wide range of music such as techno, house, drum 'n bass, etc. While most people think that electronica was a product born in the late eighties and early nineties, such is not the case. Hip hop music gave birth to Electronica and other variants of electro music in the early eighties.
Back in 1982, Afrika Bambaataa, the Godfather of Hip Hop Culture, released the classic, 'Planet Rock'. 'Planet Rock' was a song inspired by the German synth group Kraftwerk. Kraftwerk released the song, 'Trans Europe Express' in 1977. 'Trans Europe Express' was a b-boy classic, which was regulary spun by Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash before hip hop records.
Trans Europe Express - Kraftwerk
In 1982, 'Planet Rock' changed the face of dance music forever. Afrika Bambaataa sampled 'Trans Europe Express and created a new genre of music labeled as 'electro.' "Electro splintered into many genres of music
throughout the eighties," says David Toop (Rap Attack #3)
Planet Rock - Afrika Bambaataa & the Soul Sonic Force
"The Hispanics stayed faithful to the old electro sound of 'Planet Rock', adding Latin percussion elements and an overlay of teenage romance. Their emphasis shifted towards young female singers and for a time, girl groups charted with records that were hybrids of pop, hip hop, disco and even salsa." (David Toop, Rap Attack #3). This variant of electro became known as "freestyle" or "high energy".
Give Me Tonight - Shannon
"The electro era of hip hop also contributed to the new house sound. It mostly germinated in Chicago via New York tracks like Strafe's 'Set it Off'. It also influenced the techno music of Detroit, via Cybotron." (David Toop, Rap Attack #3)
Clear - Cyboton
In Florida, Miami Bass was the popular sound.
Today electronica dominates the worldwide market. It is important to recognize the originators of the genre and the music which has made a huge impact, namely Afrika Bambaataa and hip hop music.
