Go-go facts for kids

Go-go is a subgenre of funk music with an emphasis on specific rhythmic patterns, and live audience call and response.

Go-go was originated by African-American musicians in the Washington, D.C. area during the mid-60s to late-70s. Go-go has limited popularity in other areas, but maintains a devoted audience in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area as a uniquely regional music style and was named the official music of Washington, D.C. in February 2020.

Performers associated with the development of the style include Young Senators, Trouble Funk, Black Heat, and singer-guitarist Chuck Brown. In the 1990s and 2000s, hip-hop increasingly influenced go-go. However, there is also a retro movement going back to its original style of marathon sessions incorporating popular contemporary R&B songs.

In February 2020, go-go was named the "official music" of Washington, D.C. in a unanimous vote by the District's city council following the #DontMuteDC movement.

Description

Guitarist and bandleader Chuck Brown is widely regarded as "the Godfather of Go-Go".

In technical terms, "go-go's essential beat is characterized by a five through four syncopated rhythm that 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."

Unique to go-go is instrumentation with two standard congas and two junior congas, 8" and 9" wide and about half as tall as the standard congas, a size rare outside go-go. They were introduced to Rare Essence by Tyrone "Jungle Boogie" Williams in the early days when they couldn't afford full-sized congas and are ubiquitous ever since. A swing rhythm is often implied (if not explicitly stated).

Its name arises from the persistent percussive beat, but it incorporates elements of many other genres.