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Go-Go is a subgenre of Funk Music developed in and around Washington, D.C. in the mid and late 1970s . While its musical classification, influences, and origins are debated, Chuck Brown (b. 1934 ) is regarded as the fundamental force behind the creation of go-go music.

Go-go is defined by continuous, complex, heavy rhythm arrangements focused through two motifs performed on multiple Congas , Tumbadora s, and Rototoms , interspersed with Timbale and Cowbell parts, driven by heavy-footed drumming and punctuated by crowd Call-and-response . A Swing Rhythm is often implied (if not explicitly stated).

Some go-go bands have seen varying degrees of success nationally and worldwide, but Washington, D.C. remains the preeminent center for the music.


HISTORY


Chuck Brown , a fixture on the Washington music scene with Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers ("We the People", "Ashley's Roachclip"), inspired other local bands in the mid- 1970s to incorporate go-go music more and more into their standard live shows. This included the funk-driven Trouble Funk and the rock-influenced E.U. , who became the most popular bands on the go-go music scene by the end of the 70s. Brown's 1979 hit single "Bustin' Loose" was the culmination of go-go music's early success. Trouble Funk briefly signed with New Jersey's Sugar Hill Records , where they released the minor hit "Pump Me Up". E.U. scored a national hit when they performed their song "Da Butt" in the motion picture '' School Daze '' in 1988 .

The next generation of go-go featured The Junk Yard Band and Rare Essence, two enduring bands that gained popularity after go-go had become established. The Junk Yard Band began as a group of children as young as nine years old, performing music on a hodge-podge of discarded items fashioned into musical instruments. They signed and toured with New York's Def Jam Records , where they released the 12-inch single "The Word". Rare Essence, who was mentored at a young age by Chuck Brown, signed briefly with Mercury Records , but both bands' prominence were primarily established in and around Washington and the Mid-Atlantic area.

Many of these bands still perform today, along with successive generations of bands. Go-Go is always performed live at nightclubs, neighborhood parties, and sometimes with famous singers. Go-Go initially spread through the distribution of free cassette tapes, and is now found locally in the Maryland , Washington D.C., and Virginia area for sale on CDs.


POPULAR GO-GO BANDS AND SONGS


First generation

  • Chuck Brown ("Bustin Loose," "That'll Work," "Money")

  • E.U. (Experience Unlimited) ("Da Butt," "EU Freeze," "Future Funk")

  • Trouble Funk ("Pump Me Up," "Drop the Bomb," "E Flat Boogie")



Second generation

  • Backyard Band ("91 Dope Jam", "Unibomber", "Skillet", "Thug Passion", "Keep it Gangsta", "Pretty Girls", "Fakin Like")

  • Junk Yard Band ("Sardines," "Rough it Off," "Go Hard")

  • Northeast Groovers ("The Rumble," "Off the Muscle," "The Water")

  • Rare Essence ("Lock It," "Work the Walls," "Body Moves," "Overnight Scenario")

  • Raw Image ("So Horney," "Helicopter," "Shake it Out")



Third generation

  • 3DB (third Dimension Band)

  • UCB(UNCALLED4BAND)

  • TCB (OH YES)

  • CCB(CRITICAL CONDITION)

  • MOB(BOOTY SHORTS)

  • HIB(HIDDEN INTENTIONZ)

  • SOS(all girls band

  • PMS-Pyscho Misses (all girl band)

  • TIB(TRUE IDENTITY BAND)

  • ABM (ALLA BOUT MONEY)

  • Prime Example(we in da shakedown)

  • TOB(RUN THE TRAIN)

  • ONB(Organized Noise band)

  • GSB (GARENTED SATISFACTION BAND)

  • COLD HEARTED (I FEEL LIKE FUC

    - SOMTHIN)

  • DA REACTION BAND(DORA)

  • New Impressions (So sick)

  • H.O.O.D (Having Only One Dream)

  • Red Alert (From VCU)

  • Mumbo Sauce(originated at Hampton University)

  • YBI(YOUNG BLACK IMAGE)

  • PAB(PARENTAL ADVISORY BAND)

  • YBR(Young But Reckless)

  • New Vision

  • High Intention Band (HIB)

  • UIB (Unlimited Intensity Band)

  • NWO (Northwest Outlaws)

  • TDB (Total Destruction Band)

  • M.E.B.(mixed emotions band)

  • NEB(Natural Expressions Band)

  • MCB(MAD COLLISION BAND)

  • FEB

  • TAB (Load it UP)

  • DDB (we got those 501 niggaz!)

  • RIB

  • Untouchables

  • Tallaband(established at Florida A&M University)

  • TMA

  • 24/7

  • Y.C.B(Train Ride)
    --

  • Nexx Level (Miss Phat Booty)

  • USB (Unknown Sources Band)

  • MDB ( Maximum Damage Band )

  • LXB

  • WMM (Where Ma Money)

  • KOB (Hyped Up)

  • TPB (Top Priority)

  • Undisputed (Hit Em Up)

  • TBS(Trinidad Bombsquad)

  • Bad Intentions Band (BIB)



Hybrid Go-go and R&B bands

  • After Hours Band

  • Familiar Faces

  • L!SSEN Band

  • Soul Patrol

  • Suttle Thought

  • FEB

  • HIB)



EXTERNAL LINKS



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