Other meanings of Electronic dance music
Music
Electronic dance music (EDM) is a broad genre of electronic music created primarily for dance clubs, raves, and festivals, characterized by a strong rhythmic beat, synthesized sounds, and a tempo typically ranging from 120 to 150 beats per minute. It encompasses a wide range of subgenres, from house and techno to dubstep and drum and bass, and has become a global cultural phenomenon, influencing pop music and spawning a multi-billion-dollar industry.
Electronic dance music is defined by its production techniques and intended use: it is made with electronic instruments (synthesizers, drum machines, sequencers) and is designed to be played in continuous sets in dance venues, with a steady four-on-the-floor beat (in many subgenres) and a focus on rhythm and texture over traditional song structure1. Tracks often feature a build-up and drop, creating tension and release on the dance floor. The genre is also characterized by its use of samples, loops, and effects, and its production is typically done in digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Ableton Live or FL Studio.
EDM's roots trace back to the 1970s, with the emergence of disco and the use of synthesizers in acts like Kraftwerk and Giorgio Moroder, who pioneered the electronic sound that would influence later genres. In the 1980s, house music developed in Chicago and techno in Detroit, both built on drum machines and synthesizers. The 1990s saw the rise of rave culture in the UK and Europe, with genres like trance and drum and bass gaining popularity. The 2000s and 2010s brought EDM into the mainstream, with festivals like Tomorrowland and Ultra Music Festival attracting hundreds of thousands of attendees, and producers like David Guetta and Calvin Harris crossing over into pop charts.
EDM encompasses a diverse range of subgenres, each with distinct characteristics. House music, with its four-on-the-floor beat and soulful vocals, includes subgenres like deep house, tech house, and progressive house. Techno is more minimal and mechanical, with a focus on repetitive rhythms. Dubstep is characterized by heavy basslines and syncopated rhythms, often with a tempo around 140 BPM. Drum and bass features fast breakbeats (160–180 BPM) and heavy bass. Trance is melodic and uplifting, with a tempo around 138 BPM. Other notable subgenres include electro, hardstyle, and trap, each with its own fanbase and production techniques2.
EDM has had a profound cultural impact, shaping youth culture, fashion, and nightlife. It has also become a major economic force, with the global EDM market valued at $11.8 billion in 2023, driven by festivals, streaming, and merchandise3. Major festivals like Tomorrowland, Ultra, and Electric Daisy Carnival draw massive crowds and generate significant revenue for host cities. The genre has also influenced mainstream pop, with many pop songs incorporating EDM elements, and has spawned a new generation of superstar DJs who are among the highest-paid musicians in the world.
Beyond the mainstream, EDM has a rich history of niche developments and overlooked figures. For instance, the term 'EDM' was popularized in the 2010s as an American marketing label, but the genre's roots are deeply tied to underground scenes in Chicago, Detroit, and Berlin. The genre also has a significant connection to the LGBTQ+ community, with house music emerging from gay clubs in Chicago and New York. Additionally, there are subgenres like 'hardcore' (gabber) that originated in the Netherlands and have a devoted following, and 'psytrance' which is popular in Israel and Goa, India. The use of 'white labels' (unmarked vinyl records) was crucial in the early days of house and techno, allowing DJs to test tracks without revealing the artist. Also, the 'Four-on-the-floor' beat is not universal; genres like drum and bass and dubstep use syncopated rhythms. The genre has also been used in therapeutic settings, such as 'sensory stimulation' for dementia patients, and in sports training, with athletes using high-tempo tracks to enhance performance.
This article focuses on the broad genre of electronic dance music as defined by its use in dance clubs and festivals, not to be confused with the specific American EDM movement of the 2010s.
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