Origin and Influences
Techno music (also known as underground dance music) originated in Detroit, Michigan in the late 1980s. Techno music came along with the advancement of technology. Many black people began to lose their jobs due to the advancement of technology. They took that technology to create techno. Many believed that techno was the “love child” of disco because they both used elements in which others could dance along to.
Elements of Techno
Techno music is distinctive genre of music. It followed a four beat count, which makes it more dance-able. It also is produced using technology, which is why it’s called techno. Gone was the use of live instruments.
Social Implications and Commodifications
Many artists began to emerge with within the techno genre and caught the attention of many around the world. It became an international genre in which became very popular in European countries.
Influence On Other Genres
Techno on genres that follow like Hip Hop. Genres would use more technology to produce their songs and music.
Primary Composer/Performers
Known as the Belleville Three, they were credited as the creators of Techno. Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, and Derrick May. They were all born in Detroit, but the young men met in school in Belleville, a town 30 miles from Detroit. The teens shared a common interest in musical acts like Kraftwerk, Parliament and the B-52’s. Juan Atkins was the first to purchase a synthesizer and later taught the other two how to DJ. Atkins and May began to DJ in Detroit clubs under then name Deep Space Soundworks. By 1981, Detroit radio personality The Electrifying Mojo was playing mixes that the three had recorded.
Summary
Techno music for me personally is not a genre in which I paid much attention to. It was interesting to learn the impact of techno and its origin.