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What is Go-Go?

Go-Go is a subgenre of funk music, birthed from both funk and hip-hop. It is said to be defined by "continuous, complex, heavy rhythm arrangements focused through two motifs performed on multiple congas, tumbadoras, rototoms, interspersed with timbale and cowbell parts, driven by heavy footed drumming and punctuated by crowd call-and-response" (Go-Go).

Origin

This unique blend of funk and hip-hop was developed in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area during the 1970's by a one Chuck Brown, otherwise affectionately known as the Godfather" of Go-Go. Brown is said to have developed the style "purely out of necessity". Apparently the DJ's were cheaper and were mixing music, which kept the dance floors occupied. Crowds didn't like the break between songs anymore, which created a demand for these DJ's...or something new. So Chuck Brown began testing this style that allowed him and his band (The Soul Searchers) to fill the gap between songs. He accomplished this by using percussions--drums and congas-- while he spoke to the crowd. Little did he know that the "call and response" method and percussions would become the staple from which Go-Go was built.

Influences on Hip-Hop

Despite Go-Go's inability to remain popular on the national circuit, it has truly been influential on music around its inception, but also contemporary hip-hop. A lot of collaborations occured in the early 80's between hip-hop artists and Go-Go bands. The first collabo was with Kurtis Blow and EU on the 1982 single "Party Times." Grand Master Flash and the Furioius Five redid Trouble Funk's "Pump Me Up" in '84, Herbie Luv Bug sampled Go-Go songs on hit singles for Salt-n-Pepa, LL Cool J used a Trouble Funk loop, so did Heavy D, Doug E. Fresh used a Chuck Brown backbeat in "All the Way to Heaven" and used Rare Essence in a remix of "I'm Getting Ready." Contemporary hip-hop has been experiencing an explosion of go-go influenced music, which can be credited to D.C.'s own Rich Harrison, a producer who has infused go-go with his personal sound". Some contemporary artists who have incorporated go-go into their music are: Beyonce; "Crazy in Love,"(her 2006 solo album also includes go-go inspired tracks) Amerie; "1 Thing" (her sophomore album, Touch, also has go-go influenced songs) Nelly; "Hot in Herre," and Ludacris are just a few examples. Along with major contributions and musical influences, Go-Go was also responsible for inspiring the party dances from the 80's; the wop, cabbage patch, and the electric slide just to name a few.

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Problems

From one of the area's most popular radio stations, WPGC 95.5, radio personality DJ Flexx, has been constantly criticized for not being supportive of the go-go movement, despite his claims to be. In not only his opinion, but that of many others, the newer generations of go-go have brought about many changes. In the days of Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers, go-go music was original. Right now, the biggest obstacle in the way of go-go's success are covers. Cover tunes are more or less when bands remix a mainstream track with the fundamentals of go-go music. Cover tunes became necessary because violence began erupting around the go-go scene, causing the music to become the "scapegoat". The music's main venues began to get shut down, creating a situation where bands couldn't find spots to play. Bands were being banned from events. So Sugar Bear got with Maiesha and the Hiphuggers and began playing cover tunes because it was a way for them to "get in the building," a way to book events. But the problem now is that most bands have converted to cover tunes, and therefore, the "originality is gone". The idea is that go-go is shooting itself in the foot because of its inability to produce orginal music. record label s and music fans will never respect go-go music as long as all they are doing is revamping mainstream songs

Major Contributions

While Go-Go has yet to become a nationally recognized genre of music, it has had some major successes since its inception. Perhaps one of the "best produced Go-Go recordings ever made" is "Sardines," by the Junkyard Band. he nad was actually signed to Def Jam in 1986, and despite the song's success, the label never followed through with developing the band. The next large success came in 1988, as EU soared to the top of the charts with "Da Butt," which was featured on Spike Lee's Skool Daze soundtrack. Not only was the song successful, but this was also the first time a Go-Go video was in rotation on BET and MTV. After this triumph EU signed a deal with Virgin and began touring colleges and nightclubs. Many thought that Go-Go had finally made a name for itself but they would eventually prove to be misguided. EU was soon dismissed as one hit wonders when their follow up album did not do as expected. The most successful commercial album from the 90's came from DJ Kool. Catering to an audience with a desire to return to the "pure party vibe". Kool used "phat loops, old school hooks, and call and response lyrics that inspire crowd participation" to create his independent release "Let Me Clear My Throat." The song was in fact so successful that it was picked up by American Records and rereleased nationally. Go-Go music has also found its way to Microsoft--that is x-box. The music is featured on the driving game Gothem City.

Contemporary Go-Go

The newest generation of Go-Go came to be during what is often described as D.C.'s most "violent period" as it earned the name the "nation's murder capitol". With that said, today's Go-Go music has adapted itself to the changes in its surroundings; it now reflects the "values and realities of a remarkably changed street culture".

Popular Go-Go Bands and Songs

• Backyard Band

  • "91 Dope Jam," "Unibomber," "Skillet"

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• Chuck Brown

  • "Bustin Loose," "That'll Work," "Money"

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• E.U.

  • "Da Butt," "EU Freeze," "Future Funk"

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• H.O.O.D.

  • "The Wire," "Kiss of Life"

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• Junk Yard Band

  • "Sardines," "Rough it Off," "Go Hard"

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• Little Benny and the Masters

  • "Cat in the Hat"

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• Northeast Groovers

  • "Van Damme," "Off the Muscle," "The Water"

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• Rare Essence

  • "Lock It," "Work the Walls," "Body Moves"

  
  

• Trouble Funk

  • "Pump Me Up," "Drop the Bomb," "Don't touch that Stereo"

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• Uncalled 4 Band

  • "Get Get Mission," "V.S.O.P," "Sexy Lady"

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• Critical Condition Band

  • "Roll Call," "Spanish Fly," "Jiggle It"

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• Mambo Sauce

  • "Damn Joe," "Go"