go-go

Go-go is a style of funk music that originated in Washington, D.C. in the late 1970s. It is characterized by a heavy emphasis on bass and percussion, with large ensembles featuring multiple percussionists who can maintain a steady beat for extended periods.

Pioneers of the genre include Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers, and Trouble Funk. Go-go was influenced by artists like George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic, and its rhythms have connections to Caribbean styles such as soca and reggae. The distinctive go-go beat was also adopted by early hip-hop artists. While popular in D.C. dance halls, go-go recordings were primarily released on independent labels and did not achieve widespread national recognition.12