Before Hip-hop and House, there was Disco.

Your parents probably jived to this in their teenage years. One of the more lasting genres of music, Disco has persisted even into contemporary times. It’s not uncommon to see people at parties, throwing hands and busting moves to the sounds of Disco. Disco is a little like Santa—-it comes alive at night and opens its arms to everyone. You’d naturally find with its syncopated bass lines and string sections, at late night hours in underground clubs, porn deals, and parties. How then did Disco come about? You are about to find out some interesting facts about this enticing musical genre.

ADVENT OF DISCO

Disco—-a shortened form of Discotheque—-started in the 1970s, as an eclectic mix of music from Latinoes, Hispanic, Black, and Italian Americans. It is a dance music genre that is largely associated with urban nightlife, especially in the United States of America. This lively genre is characterized by instruments like bass guitars, saxophones, pianos, drum sets, and electric guitars. Disco songs are usually played in a four-on-the-floor beat rhythm. Partygoers usually wore flowing dresses and loose pants to allow them to dance popular styles such as the ‘bump’ and the ‘hustle’, more freely. More sophisticated dressings involved revealing outfits, body hugs, glitters, and wide-collared shirts. Although a very famous style of music, Disco was stigmatized by some as a provocative genre. Due to this genre’s jazzy feel, wild dancing, and clubs’ flashing lights, people associated it with sexual indiscretion. Also, clubbers were sometimes prepped with drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy, and other illicit pills to subdue their inhibitions and loosen them up for the dance floors.

SEX AND DISCO

Disco songs and atmosphere heralded an era of sexual exploration that saw homosexuality and sexual acts being perpetrated in public scenes. In the late twentieth century, more clubs were patronized by gay men. These venues became rife with a Hussie Pass coupon, unprotected sex, seduction, and eroticism by both sexes. Beyond DJ mixes, Disco records continued to evolve and develop. Artists such as Bee Gees, Baccara, Boney M., and Gloria Gaynor worked to create dance records that took most of Europe by storm. Popular bodies like the Motown record label infused lots of disco in many of their singles. Hit disco songs like “Now That We Found Love” and “Love Train” by the O’Jays also promoted the genre.

Although Disco suffered a decline at some point, it keeps finding its way back.

Some contemporary blockbuster movies develop plots with disco themes. Disco has also resurged in the twenty-first century, with A-list artists like Justin Timberlake, Daft Punk, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, and Dua Lipa expressing elements of Disco in their music. Disco remains an evergreen genre. Other genres such as Hip-hop, acid jazz, and dance-pop derive their harmonies from Disco. For some, it has become a way of life. For others, it is a muse. There are still many Disco CDs in CherryPimps discount record shops and you can also listen to Disco songs online.