Bounce music is a form of hip-hop with a super-fast, block party-style beat that has a similar sound to rap and EDM. However, it needs to have a Triggerman beat to be classified as bounce.
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The tempo usually has 95 to 105 beats per minute and includes a brass band beat. As well, this style typically incorporates Mardi Gras Indian chants alongside call and response routines.
New Orleans bounce music has become prevalent in the city’s communities and musical traditions. Indeed, it’s now such a central part of city life that a trip to New Orleans would not be complete without experiencing the bounce music scene.
This article will look at the introduction of bounce music, what it’s famous for, popular songs and bounce music examples, and the dancing that goes with it. This article is your one-stop-shop for all things bounce!
The Invention of New Orleans Bounce Music
Bounce can be traced to the 1980s in New Orleans. This style of music was started in the city’s projects and bars.
Ghost Town was the club that popularized it through MC T Tucker. Later in 1993, D.J. Jubilee recorded some tracks with Take Fo’ Records. The record company would come to be the first record company to specialize in bounce.
The first hit bounce song was “Jubilee All” by D.J. Jubilee. Now, bounce has been featured in tracks by Rihanna, Beyonce, Drake, and many more.
In 2000, bounce music experienced a boom with the rise of openly gay artists.
Names like Big Freedia, one of the most popular bounce music artists today, Sissy Nobby, and Vockah Redu shattered stereotypes in hip-hop. These artists helped bounce become one of the more progressive genres of music.
After Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, many bounce artists were displaced to other big cities. This era was the beginning of the spread of bounce.
There’s no definitive reason why this style of music is called bounce. However, we think the strongest reason for the name is because of the type of dance that accompanies it and the beat of the music.
That dance style is twerking. Someone moves their rear up and down and bounces to the beat. Thanks to the fast and energetic rhythm of bounce, it makes you want to jump, dance, and nod your head to the beat. All and all, “bounce” is a fitting name for this genre.
What Is Bounce Music Famous For?
Bounce music is known for its block party fast-paced beats that are great for dancing. It is also well known for being a cultural type of music specific to New Orleans.
Names like Big Freedia, D.J. Jubilee, and others have made bounce music famous.
People like Big Freedia, Sissy Nobby, and Vockah Redu helped make this subgenre of rap more inclusive. In fact, bounce music in 2021 and beyond has showcased a growing representation from female artists and the LGTBQ community.
Bounce also has a popular dance style associated with it. Since bounce music’s creation, twerking has been a way to dance to this fast-paced music.
Popular Bounce Music
Reflecting its enduring popularity, there’s plenty of bounce music and artists just waiting to be listened to. Below is a list of some of the top bounce songs and bounce artists.
Tracks
According to Rolling Stone, 20 bounce songs are essential to the genre. They span more than three decades, with the earliest being released way back in 1991.
- “Where Dey At” by T.T. Tucker and D.J. Irv (1991)
- “Sister Sister” by Silky Slim (1992)
- “Where They At” by D.J. Jimi (1992)
- “Bounce! Baby Bounce” by Everlasting Hitman (1992)
- “Get the Gat” by Lil Elt (1992)
- “Bounce for the Juvenile” by D.J. Jimi ft. Juvenile (1993)
- “Jubilee All” by D.J. Jubilee and the Take Fo’ Family (1993)
- “Da Paycheck” by Mia X (1993)
- “Shake It Fo Ya Hood” by Ricky B (1994)
- “Twerk Something” by Cheeky Blakk (1994)
- “Pump Tha Party” Partners N Crime (1995)
- “Monkey on Tha D$ck” by Magnolia Shorty (1996)
- “Yall Holla” by Ricky B. (ca. 1996)
- “Back That Azz Up” by Juvenile (1998)
- “Melpomene Block Party” by Katey Red and Dem Hoes (1999)
- “Choppa Style” by Choppa (2001)
- “Gin In My System” Big Freedia (2003)
- “That’s my Juvie” by Magnolia Shorty ft. Katey Red (2003)
- “Spinning Top” by Sissy Nobby (2010)
- “Let Me Find Out” by Ward Weebie (2014)
Artists
Bounce music continues to flourish, and there are still big names associated with the genre. According to Chosic, eight bounce artists have driven the genre forward:
- Juvenile
- D.J. Paul
- Mannie Fresh
- Big Freedia
- Soulja Slim
- Choppa
- J-Dawg
- Nicky Da B
About Bounce Dancing
Besides knowing how to make bounce music, dance is an equally important part of the genre. In a video on YouTube, Big Freedia said, “If your booty ain’t moving, you ain’t doing it right. The more twerking, the better.”
That quote perfectly describes bounce music dance. D.J. Jubilee was the first singer to put “twerk” in a song, and the word was in his 1993 song “Jubilee All.”
In the Youtube video, Big Freedia teaches three major bounce moves. Exercise is when a dancer stands with their legs at a 45-degree angle and works their hips.
Rock the boat is an extension of exercise. Start by doing exercise, then begin moving side to side. The final move she taught was “Mixin’,” in which the rear goes round and round, a motion she described as being akin to a hula hoop.
Final Thoughts
Bounce music is a cultural style of music created in New Orleans. Over time the style of music has made its way into songs by iconic artists, and bounce music will continue to become more popularized because of this.
The style of dance that goes along with bounce has also helped further the genre’s popularity. Since artists like Miley Cyrus started twerking to mainstream music, the dance style has become more popular.
This unique style of music is a must-see when traveling to New Orleans. Given how central it has been to the city’s nightlife, it’s no surprise that New Orleans bounce music in 2021 and beyond is thriving.
Just remember what Big Freedia said: “If your booty ain’t moving, you ain’t doing it right. The more twerking, the better.”