Footwork (genre)
| Footwork | |
|---|---|
| Stylistic origins | |
| Cultural origins | 1990s, Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Typical instruments | Sampler, drum machine (Roland TR-808),synthesizer, sequencer |
Footwork is a genre of music and street dance that originated in Chicago during the 1990s.
The dance involves fast movement of the feet with accompanying twists and turns, and usually takes place as part of a "battle". The style was popularised outside Chicago by inclusion in the music video for Dude 'n Nem's 2007 single "Watch My Feet".
The music style has evolved from the earlier, rapid rhythms of juke and ghetto house, a change pioneered by R.P. Boo. It may draw from styles such as drum and bass, utilizing double-time clave triplets, syncopated toms and prominent sub-bass. Tracks also frequently feature heavily syncopated samples from rap, pop, and other sources, and are often around 160 bpm.
Radio station Afropop Worldwide remarked on the genre and its developments in 2011, saying that:
The style received more global attention after the unexpected death of footwork pioneer DJ Rashad in 2014. Newer footwork artists such as Jlin have helped popularize the style among European audiences.
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