History of Dance Music

Modern popular dance music originally emerged from the late 19th century’s, Western ballroom and social
dance music. In the early 20th century, ballroom dancing grew in popularity among the working class. Dance
music became greatly popular during the 1920s. In the 1930s, Swing Music was introduced and it became
popular dance music in America. In the 1950s, rock and roll became the popular dance music. The late 1960s
saw the rise of soul and R&B music. The rise of disco in the early 1970s led to dance music becoming popular
with the public. By the late 1970s, electronic dance music was developing. This music, made using electronics, is
a style of popular music commonly played in nightclubs, radio stations, shows and raves. Many subgenres of
electronic dance music have evolved. Jamaican-American DJ, Kool Herc introduced large bass heavy speaker rigs
to the Bronx. His parties are credited with having kick-started the New York hip-hop movement in 1973. He is
known as the ‘Father’ and ‘Founder’ of hip-hop (dance)
Today dance music is aimed at 16 – 24 year olds as it is mainly found on the radio station, clubs and raves. It can
attract all people from the demographic model, but its main group is B-D.

Here is a picture of Kool Herc at one of his well known parties in 1978