Footwork (genre)
Footwork, also called juke,[2] footwork/juke or Chicago juke, is a genre of electronic dance music derived from ghetto house with elements of hip hop, first appearing in Chicago in the late 1990s.[3] The music style evolved from the earlier, rapid rhythms of ghetto house, a change pioneered by RP Boo.[4] It may draw from the rapid rhythms and sub-bass frequencies of drum & bass.[5] Tracks also frequently feature heavily syncopated samples from rap, pop and other sources, and are often around 160 bpm.[6]
For other uses, see Footwork (dance).Footwork
- Juke
- Footwork/juke
- Chicago juke
- Project house
Late 1990s – early 2000s, Chicago, United States
Footwork is also a style of house dance, closely associated with juke music,[7] and typified by very fast and chaotic feet moves.[8]
Etymology[edit]
The name "footwork" given to the genre refers to the footwork dance that accompanies it and is characterized by very fast structured dance footwork. The arguably first mention of the term "footwork" within the ghetto house scene of Chicago was WaxMaster's "Foot work" track in 1995.[3] Footwerk and footwurk are two other forms of the term sometimes used to describe this genre.[7]
The name juke is of unclear origin. It is believed to have originated from West African languages and came to Chicago use via Gullah. The term "juke" is believed to come from the Gullah word joog or jug, meaning rowdy or disorderly which itself is derived from the Wolof word dzug meaning to misconduct one's self.[9][10]
The term juke, as being applied to particular styles of ghetto house, came into use from DJ Puncho and Gant-Man in the late 1990s[3] by releasing tracks such as "Juke it" in 1997.[11] Some originators of the footwork/juke genre, notable example being DJ Clent, at first disregarded the term, instead preferring to call footwork music project house.[3] However, the term "juke" came to dominate the whole ghetto house scene, often being used as a blanket term to denote any style derived from ghetto house and even its progenitor, ghetto house, was at times called "juke" too.[3][12]
The terms footwork and juke, as referring to the fast syncopated genre of electronic dance music derived from ghetto house, may be used interchangeably.[2][5][13][14][15] Apart from simply being synonyms, there is also a strong tradition to distinguish these two terms, where juke is constrained to the earlier years of the genre, with footwork in this sense being a more chaotic, complex and abstract offshoot of proper juke music, that brought wider attention in the late 2000s.[8][11][16] In this regard, as one review summarized, the situation with terms is analogous to jungle vs. drum'n'bass dispute, where some people consider the terms to be mere synonyms, while others prefer to call jungle a proper progenitor of drum'n'bass.[17]
Central to Footwork culture in Chicago is the term Tek, which denotes the genre's "distributed intelligence."[18] Tek acts as the basis for a unique Footwork terminology in which dancers and DJs become ghettoteknicians and participators in the dance circle become architeks. Footwork is separate from other dance genres in that it is much closer to a collectivized system of planning and design built upon improvised social organization--as well as somewhat improvised routines. As such, contributors to the music, dance, and culture help reshape South and West Chicago's "hyperghetto" landscape through their subversion of municipal regulation and sudden social constructions.[18]
Characteristics[edit]
Footwork/juke songs are generally around 150–165 BPM[8] with beat-skipping kick drums, pounding rapidly (and at times very sparsely) in syncopation with crackling snares, claps, and other sounds reminiscent of old drum machines.[19] The overall feel of the rhythm in more experimental tracks in the genre may sound intentionally undanceable for a casual listener.[16] Vocal chops from unrelated genres, such and contemporary R&B and pop music are common and may also be up- or down-pitched.[7] The production style is often markedly lo-fi, much like baile funk.
The tempo of footwork/juke tracks may switch back and forth, alternating hi-speed full-time and half-time sections.[19] The overall mood of the genre is said to be hypnotic, dark and abstract.[19] The genre makes marked heavy use of sub-bass and its fast and repetitive rhythmic atmosphere is said to be reminiscent of the early jungle music.[7]
European footwork
- Footwork
- Dubstep
- Oldschool jungle
Late 2000s, United Kingdom
Late 2000s, Japan
2010s, Latin America and Brazil
Dance[edit]
Footwork dance somewhat predates footwork/juke music and started as a dance to house music, with elements of breakdancing, on the west side of Chicago in the mid/late 1980s, eventually spreading to the south side and inspiring its own eponymous genre of music.[29]
The dance involves complex fast movement of the feet with accompanying twists and turns, and usually takes place as part of a "battle".[4] The upper side of the body, in contrast, stays mostly unmoved.[19][16] Most movements in the footwork dance happen below the knees.[16] The style was popularized outside Chicago by inclusion in the music video for Dude 'n Nem's 2007 single "Watch My Feet".[30][20]
Chicago Footwork dancing also typically takes place in the battle scene. Dance crews usually gather in a circular formation to face off against each other. Some common dance moves that one may see performed in the circle are the "Erk n Jerk" and the "Holy Ghost." Throughout Footwork's early years, the battles were predominantly for males. One rarely saw a female having an opportunity in the spotlight as a footwork. However, in recent years, there has been a push and movement for more female presence within footwork circles.[31]