Electronic Dance Music: Can We Consider It as a Genre of Music?

Source: Travel Triangle

We all are familiar with the name EDM music. The term refers to ‘electronic dance music’. Now, what is EDM exactly? Why is it so popular worldwide? Is it just music or electrical sound? Without any hesitation, I can say that it is really difficult to differentiate EDM and give a distinctive clear idea about it. But the utmost meaning of EDM is really interesting. EDM music can be defined as music that is predominantly produced by using many digital and electronic analog systems and equipment. EDM music you can hear usually in nightclubs or amusement parks or festivals.

EDM music is created with an amazing combination of instrumental sounds like drum, bass, trance, trumpet, etc., and electro music subgenres such as a deep house, progressive house, electro house, clubhouse, techno house, etc. The EDM artists present their music mainly live in concerts and clubs. There are very few EDM artists who are recognized around the world and record their music to release them.

Some people think EDM music is nothing but noise because sometimes it is produced by using the different sounds of the same instruments. But one should know that if someone wants to be an EDM artist he or she has to have a very clear idea about all the musical instruments, sound and music genres. It is not something mere dance music that anyone can produce and play.

EDM Music’s History in Brief

According to The Telegraph newspaper, the earliest EDM-style tracks were produced in Detroit and Chicago in the middle of the 1980s, where techno, a sparse form of Kraftwerk-inspired electronic funk, was born, and Chicago, whose club The Warehouse gave house music its name.

By the end of the 1990s "electronica" crossed over into the mainstream. Play by Moby, released in 1999, eventually sold nearly three million copies in the US alone. Dance music by this time had split into a variety of subgenres, including trance, jungle, and dubstep. Early electronic dance music (EDM) adopted the most arresting components from each and, as developed by DJ/producers like Skrillex, used strobe-like synth riffs and a stuttering build-up termed the "drop" to enthrall dancers.

Dance music had a place in popular culture by the middle of the 2000s. Because of Skrillex's harsher "bro step" production approach, social media platforms like YouTube and SoundCloud helped to popularize electro-house and Dubstep.

Live performances have a significant effect on EDM. DJs may make a greater income than conventional performers, realized promoters, and venues. The size of EDM concerts like Defqon and Electric Daisy Carnival increased as they placed more emphasis on visual experiences like video and lighting effects. Prominent artists held concert tours at huge arenas rather than merely nightclubs, such Avicii and Swedish House Mafia.

In contemporary times, EDM music has an immense influence over the world and it is greatly loved by people. EDM music producers are recognized as professional music artists. Some renowned electronic dance music artists are Marshmello, Martin Garrix, Afrojack, KSHMR, Alan Walker, David Guetta, etc. who win the hearts of the hearts through their music several times. Some of them even won the prestigious Grammy award for their big hits.

Some EDM Artists and Their Famous Creations

Alan Walker

Alan Walker is an American EDM artist who got famous after his phenomenal release of the song ‘Faded’ in 2016. He did many world tours in several countries and help to enhance the popularity of EDM among people. He is ranked as the 55th global best artist. His other famous songs are ‘Alone’, ‘Sing me to sleep’, ‘Spectre’ etc.

Marshmello

Marshmello is also an American-born professional EDM music producer who collaborates with many singers and created some incredible tracks which will mesmerize our ears whenever we listen. His most iconic creations are ‘Alone’(2017), ‘FRIENDS’ (2018), and ‘Happier’ (2019). He is a 40th-ranked global EDM artist.

Martin Garrix

Martin Garrix, one of the most celebrated DJs of all time got the number one position in the list of 100 best DJs of the year 2022. Also, he held the first position continuously for three years in 2016, 2017, and 2018. He composed many great songs and EDM music fusions but ‘Animals’ (2014) is the most loved song among all of them.

David Guetta

Now we are going to talk about the ‘grandfather of electronic dance music’ David Guetta. David, the french record producer, and songwriter has become the world's number-one DJ again for the fourth time in 2023 after 2011, 2020, and 2021. He won two Grammys for his wonderful works in 2010 and 2011. And also been nominated six times for Grammys. Some of the great works of this wonderful artist are ‘Revolver’, ‘when love takes over’ etc.

Electronic Dance Music has characteristics and beauty which nothing can beat. EDM is getting more famous over the years and there is a festival held in Belgium’s Tomorrow Land where EDM is celebrated every year by the people. Many researchers say EDM music can help better than any other music while studying or taking any lessons. So, let's turn the volume up and get crazy with the beat of electronic music to free your thoughts and stress.

Written by - Joy

Edited by - Kritika Sharma