Relentless Beat of the Week: Todd Terry – “Jumpin'”

Although many are aware of the fact the electronic dance music has been around for several decades now, many do not take the time to really explore the history of the genre. That’s where we come in. We want you to know the roots of this scene that everyone has come to know and love, and lets just say that the beginnings were very humble.

From the dark, dim lit nightclubs, to the sketchy bars and those tending them, to the sex-fueled nights on the dancefloor; the rise of nightlife culture can be attributed to none other than the underground music of the 1980’s & 1990’s.

Behold Todd Terry, provocateur of New York’s dance club culture. Terry got his start in the 1980’s DJing New York’s hottest parties with sounds of Italo-disco & hip-hop; and although his music was initially more popular over seas than in the states, that didn’t mean that he would stray from bringing full-on nightlife culture the American audiences.

Todd Terry – Jumpin’ (1994)

Enter “Jumpin,” his 1994 hit which brought his seductive sound to the ears of many, even reaching the a spot on the UK top 10. The track certainly marked an era of transformation in the popularity of dance music in the states in that the track represents all things dirty, sexy, and scandalous — much like the nightclubs in which the track was played. With the sensual moans of pleasure both from the music and something a little more seductive, cross-pollinated with the resounding basslines of days past, “Jumpin'” is a well-versed track capable of spreading a wealth of dancefloor knowledge.

Todd Terry has evolved as an artist over the years, and is still pumping out hits even today. But the important lesson here is to understand where we came from. Taking to the road once again, Todd Terry joins us in Phoenix on December 17 to give us a history lesson in club culture… you’re going to want to be a part of it.

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