The history of electronic music has deep roots in genres largely created by black and queer communities. James Brown and Kool & The Gang helped popularize funk and disco. Rhythms and beats from Africa were eventually integrated by black producers into the music scene in Detroit, Chicago, and New York.
These styles of music eventually evolved into what we now consider house and techno. Electronic music went on to gain mass popularity in underground club scenes.
Here are five black producers that are currently changing the game in both their music and the community as a whole:
A Hundred Drums
Gabrielle Watson, known as A Hundred Drums, has been in the EDM scene for over a decade. Her music has an incredible way of moving the listener with its deep emotion and pulsating beats. She has impressively impacted the electronic music scene with both her music and activism.
On top of creating amazing music, she has been a prominent political activist – standing up for equality, rights, and what she believes in. Her EP, “Enough is Enough,” calls for change by sharing truths of the inequality and injustice that black people experience daily.
Get tickets to A Hundred Drums’ upcoming shows here.
HoneyLuv
HoneyLuv has been heating up in the house scene since her first single, “F R E E,” dropped in 2021. Her tracks range from dark to energetic and hit multiple genres, including house and techno that draws sounds from hip-hop, R&B, and others.
Since her debut, HoneyLuv has released multiple singles and played clubs and festivals. She also had her own radio show with Ill Donuts, where she showcased the underground house scene.
She has also curated playlists for numerous outlets. Listen to HoneyLuv’s most recent single, “Inside My Mind,” on all streaming platforms.
Moore Kismet
At just eighteen years old, Moore Kismet has been making strides in the EDM scene since 2018. Their debut album, UNIVERSE, is packed with melodic yet heavy bass lines and captivating drops. Moore Kismet is providing the industry with immense talent. With such a well-rounded repertoire – they are skilled in voice acting, art, and filmmaking – it is easy to assume that they will continue to help shape and promote inclusion in the current scene.
“three little words” is out now on all streaming platforms. Read more about their first release of 2023 here.
PAWSA
PAWSA’s music is groovy, pulling rhythms and sounds from funk and jazz. His techno and house tracks are breaking the boundaries of mixing boundaries. With deep bass lines and horns, the London-based producer creates energetic, funky tracks.
His sound is reminiscent of music played in clubs at the beginning of electronic music’s creation. PAWSA effectively makes nostalgic, yet fresh sounding songs.
Listen to his new single, “ON THE MOVE,” on all platforms.
SAYMYNAME
Dayvid Lundie-Sherman, better known as SAYMYNAME, has been making music for over a decade, despite only beginning when he was twelve years old. He made waves in the scene by inventing a whole new sub genre – hardtrap. The genre combines hardstyle and trap.
The producer’s music is heavy and bass-driven. Hardtrap has been evolving and picking up speed since its creation.
SAYMYNAME’s impact on EDM cannot be overlooked and his legacy will continue to grow in the scene. Listen to his high-tempo track with Riot Ten, “Loco,” on any listening platform.
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Loving electronic music is loving and respecting the roots of both the music and the community it was built around. We must give credit where credit is due – to black producers and artists that helped popularize electronic music. February may officially be Black History Month, but the importance of supporting black artists goes far beyond those twenty-eight days.
For more information on Black History Month, check out https://blackhistorymonth.gov/.
