Go - Go Music and The Real DC Experience

- A performance by Backyard Band or BYB

Go-go music is a reflection of a culture ignored by tourists and outsiders who know nothing of this city beyond what they see at the National Mall. A subgenre of funk developed in the 1970’s and 1980’s by Chuck Brown, the godfather of go-go, turned into a guide for any outsider to learn about Washington, DC. To know about this city is to know about go –go. Deeply rooted in mostly black communities since its humble beginnings, contributions made by different bands has created considerably one of the most unique and underrated genres of music out right now.

If you’re a fan of go-go, you’re either in a band or you know someone in a band. As a band member, chances are that you come from one of the many neighborhoods in the DC Metropolitan area. You represent your neighborhood and you give them a higher profile because you get to give them shout outs throughout the songs. A relatively recent practice, this indicates which neighborhoods are highly represented in the go-go songs and come out in high attendance to the several shows, referred to Washingtonians as go-go’s. Unfortunately violence often time follows people at the go-go becoming a constant problem that has forced authorities to come in high numbers and even involving the gang unit. Violence in the go-go is also a reflection of a violent culture that has spilled into our streets and schools.

Wale, one of the fastest rising rappers to come out of this area is often with UCB, or the Uncalled for Band. This is a go-go band that has been around for a long time and have the laid-back rhythm heavy style that made go-go real popular in the first place. They accompanied Wale at the MTV Video Music Awards and will appear on Wale’s debut album, Attention Deficit, coming out on Tuesday. They are one of the few bands that revolutionized the sound of go-go and continue to do so with a loyal older fan base along with the Backyard Band and the Total Control Band. Younger fans might enjoy Takeover Band, Reaction Band, or Tru Expressions. They made a completely different but more upbeat sound that reflects what’s popular in hip-hop these days.

Granted that the sound is one that is not easy to fall in love with, no one can deny that people are becoming more curious about this music. Local bands often travel to different states, playing at school with a high percentage of students from DC. As more people hear about go-go, the more likely it will be accepted. If you haven’t listened to it already, already do so. A couple songs that out of towners like are Sexy Lady by UCB and Welcome to DC by Mambo Sauce. Be aware that these are touriss friendly songs and not even the true representation of go-go. If you want to know more, look up the other heavy hitters I mentioned and you will take a look in the real DC.

- Samuel Collins, Jr.