Electro

Electro is a genre of Electronic Dance Music that emerged with the development of early sampling technology and the introduction of the Roland TR-808 drum machine, and is closely associated with Hip Hop's formative years in the early-to-mid-1980s. The style, which took inspiration from 1970s Electronic works from groups such as Kraftwerk, is defined by TR-808 sounds arranged in syncopated rhythm patterns - often resembling the Funk breaks used in hip hop beats - with simple, funky bass lines and a strong backbeat. Other instrument parts are typically created with synthesizers, and vocoder vocals are commonly used, often delivered in a deadpan fashion to accentuate the robotic quality of the music. Singles released in the early 1980s, most notably in the year 1982, were categorized as "electro hip hop". Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force's "Planet Rock," Man Parrish's, "Hip Hop, Be Bop (Don't Stop)," and Whodini's "Magic's Wand" are considered to be some of the first fusions of electro and hip hop. This style of hip hop music heavily influenced genres like Miami Bass later on. Freestyle emerged shortly after electro, fusing its production with Dance-Pop and elements of Synthpop and various Latin American styles. John Robie was known for producing the first electro hip hop singles, but he was also notable for producing what are considered to be the first freestyle singles, namely Planet Patrol's "Play at Your Own Risk" and Freeez's "I.O.U. / I Dub U". AKA: Electro-FunkElectro-Boogie