Disco

Disco

It went from the underground club scene to the mainstream.

Cultural Origin

Late 1960s–Early 1970s in the Mid-Atlantic region, especially New York City and Philadelphia

Prominent Artists

Gloria Gaynor, Thelma Houston, Sister Sledge,  Sylvester, Evelyn "Champagne" King, S. O. S. Band

Influenced By

Rhythm & blues, Afro-Latino dance music

Later Influenced

Hip hop, house, techno, pop

Perv's House in Chicago, circa 1976
Perv's House in Chicago, circa 1976

About The Genre

Disco music's origins are in the Philadelphia R&B scene and the private dance parties thrown in the gay community of New York City. It eventually went from the underground music scene to become the most popular music genre in the world. Artists such as Kool & The Gang, Diana Ross, Earth Wind & Fire and Stevie Wonder all incorporated disco into their repertoire.

The genre decreased in popularity, but it never really disappeared. Electronic dance music genres like house and techno are direct descendants of disco.

"Disco sucks" is yet another white male cisgender lie foisted upon the rest of us. Maybe it was because they didn't feel comfortable on the da,nce floor.

Trivia/Famous Lyrics

DId you know...

You mean I've been dancin' on the floor darlin'
And I feel like I need some more and I
Feel your body close to mine and I
Move on love it's about that time
Make me feel - mighty real
Make me feel - mighty real

"You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" by Sylvester

Artists from this genre

Barry White

Barry White

Known for his distinctive baritone and classic love songs.

Chic

Chic

Architects of disco's greatest dance tracks.

Donna Summer

Donna Summer

The Queen of Disco.

Sylvester

Sylvester

The gender-bending diva of disco.

MORE Genres from this era

Funk

Funk

All about the groove.

R&B

R&B

Polished sound and sophisticated production.

Prince

Prince

A genre unto himself.