Description
Go-Go is a popular music sub-genre associated with funk originating in Washington, D.C. during the late-60s to late-70s. It remains popular in the DMV (District, Maryland, and Virginia) as a uniquely regional music style. Go-Go became the official music of the city in 2020. Some early bands credited with having developed the style are Experience Unlimited (E.U.), The Young Senators, Black Heat, and Chuck Brown and The Soul Serchers. Go-go is primarily a dance hall music with an emphasis on live audience call and response.
In technical terms, “Go-Go's essential beat is characterized by a syncopated, dotted rhythm that consists of a series of quarter- and eighth notes (quarter, eighth, quarter, (space/held briefly), quarter, eighth, quarter) which is underscored prominently by the bass drum and snare drum, and the hi-hat... [and] is ornamented by the other percussion instruments, especially by the conga drums, rototoms, and hand-held cowbells.” (Excerpt gleaned from Wikipedia)
