House music changed dancefloors forever. But beyond the four-on-the-floor rhythm lies a genre built on soul, community, liberation and musical innovation.
In this episode of Start Here Podcast, Alexis Ffrench is joined by DJ, producer and broadcaster Kwame Safo, also known as Funk Butcher, to explore the origins, sound and global influence of House music.
Together, they trace house music’s roots from Chicago’s Warehouse and pioneers like Frankie Knuckles through to the UK rave scene, Afro House and Amapiano. They discuss the genre’s deep connections to disco, jazz, gospel and Black musical traditions, alongside the role house music has played in community, identity and cultural expression.
The conversation also explores the musical DNA of house, from hypnotic rhythms and sampling culture to vocals, piano house and the lasting influence of DJs and producers across generations.
Whether you are already immersed in house music or discovering it for the first time, this is a joyful and insightful introduction to one of the world’s most influential dance genres.
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