Credit: DJ Mag

House music has many subgenres and layers to it, it can be hard to wrap your head around. We’re sharing our love for deep house and where it stems from with five facts about this melodic subgenre of house.

1. Deep House History

Deep house is a subgenre of house music that originated in the 1980s, fusing elements of Chicago house with 1980s jazz-funk and touches of soul music. Deep house was largely pioneered by Chicago producers such as Marshall Jefferson and Larry Heard and the latter had a similar impact from Derrick May raising from Detroit techno. The jazzy sound became more common due to the favored use of gentler, more organic production and instrument sounds while still holding true to that synth electronic sound.

2. Deep House Now

In the 2000s and in the 2010s, the genre remained very popular. However by 2014, there has been a mislabeling of what is deep house and what isn’t. The term since has been utilized to encapsulate various types of bassline-driven house music as the genre evolves from its historical origins.

3. Deep House Characteristics

Deep house is known for tempos typically from 110 to 125 BPM, muted basslines, spacious use of percussion elements, soft keyboard sounds (pads), use of advanced chord structures, ambient mixes, and soulful, predominantly female vocals. Lyrics usually focus on positive/uplifting or forlorn modern blues lyrics. The use of vocals persisted in deep house as new forms of house music often abandoned them, but as of 2019, this difference has largely disappeared. 

Overall deep house is known for slower, more liquid grooves, and a smooth, stylish, and chic demeanor. It rarely reaches a climax, but lingers on as a comfortable, hypnotic and relaxing pulse, perfect for the small, dimly lit nightclub.

4. Notable Record Labels

Most notable record labels include AFTR;HRS, Spinnin’ Deep, Anjunadeep, This Never Happened, and Glasgow Underground.

5. Notable Artists

Popular deep house artists include Nora En Pure, Lane 8, Black Coffee, Yotto, and Luttrell to name a few.

Who are some of your favorite deep house artists? Share with us.