Category:Electro

Electro is a genre of electronic music that emerged in the early 1980s, combining funk, hip-hop, and early electronic music. It is characterized by robotic beats, heavy use of drum machines, and futuristic, sci-fi aesthetics. Electro should not be confused with modern "Electro House," which is actually a form of Progressive House.

Characteristics

• Syncopated, robotic beats, typically created with the Roland TR-808 drum machine.
• Futuristic synth melodies, often influenced by science fiction themes.
• Minimalistic arrangements, emphasizing rhythm and groove.
• Vocoder-treated vocals and electro-rap elements, blending with early hip-hop.
• Influence on techno, Miami bass, and breakbeat, shaping later electronic styles.

Important Clarification

Electro is not the modern progressive sound often mislabeled as "Electro House." This category should be used for Old School Electro from the 80s and the Electro Techno sound from the 90s, such as Aux 88 or the older works of Anthony Rother.

Artists like Felix Da Housecat, Digitalism, Eric Prydz, and Simian Mobile Disco are NOT Electro—they fall under Progressive House.

If you've been involved in Electronic Dance Music with an underground background before 2000, you likely agree that "Electro House" is a badly chosen term and is actually just Progressive House.

Nonetheless, progressive mixes are often miscategorized as Electro. These are corrected over time.

Artists and Labels

Electro has been championed by various artists and labels, including:

• Electrofunk Records
• Doppler Effect
• Breakin' Records

Notable artists in the genre include:

• Afrika Bambaataa (pioneer of electro-funk)
• Drexciya
• Cybotron
• Anthony Rother (for his early electro work)
• Egyptian Lover
• Dopplereffekt