Go-go Music: A treasure of the Chocolate City
Go-go music is a subgenre of funk that originated in Washington, D.C. during the mid-1970s, pioneered by Chuck Brown. It’s characterized by a heavy, syncopated beat, continuous rhythm, and call-and-response vocals. Unlike traditional funk, go-go often lacks defined song structures, with extended percussion breaks and improvisation dominating the sound. The genre blends elements of funk, soul, jazz, and Latin rhythms, with a focus on groove and audience interaction. Go-go music played a vital role in shaping D.C.'s cultural identity and remains influential in the city’s music scene today. It’s known for energizing live performances and dance floors.
Listen and watch the clip of "Bustin' Loose" by Chuck Brown.
1. What do you hear?
a. What instruments do you hear?
b. What is happening with the vocals?
c. What role does the audience play?
d. Does this sound like any other types of music that you know?
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Go-go is not only non-stop, but also largely improvisatory with only the hint of a play list established at the beginning of any performance. A go go proceeds largely on gut instinct as the band reacts to and interacts with the crowd. Make no mistake about it- at a go-go the distinction between the crown and the band is very narrow indeed. There is an ongoing dialogue (much like in a good marriage or any other close cooperative venture) with give and take and call and response helping to establish the communication necessary for an intimate and satisfying experience. Source: The Beat: Go-Go Music from Washington, D.C.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. leading the march at Selma, Alabama.
The version you will find in the link above is by Pete Seeger who was a song leader at the Highlander Folk School in Tennessee. The video shows Seeger teaching it to students in West Germany. Why might he have taught it to Germans?
1. We shall overcome
We shall overcome
We shall overcome some day
​​REFRAIN: Oh, deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome some day
2. We'll walk hand in hand... REFRAIN
3. We shall live in peace... REFRAIN
4. We are not afraid... REFRAIN
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