In the wake of the genre’s influence on Beyonce, Drake, Chantay Savage and other artists they want to make sure people know where the house comes from
House music is “to Chicago what Gogo music is DC,” according to Chantay Savage, an international platinum-selling artist and West Side native.
House is currently a hot topic in pop culture as mainstream artists such as Beyonce and Drake have released new sound-inspired songs.
“That’s why I’m here,” Savage said of the genre’s reinvigorated presence in popular music. “We could use music that is uplifting and inspiring right now. That’s what home is. I am happy to see a light shine on this ”.
Other house music people are watching closely.
Terry Hunter, who recently hosted a listening party for his new house single “T.S.O.C (The Sound of Chicago),” may appreciate the fact that artists are now exploring the House, but wants to make sure those artists know who has originated the sound.
“I love them very much, but we started this,” Hunter said. “That’s why I wanted to include my Chicago house icons on this new record.”
Savage is one of those icons featured in “T.S.O.C”, along with Common, Deon Cole, Mike Dunn, Jamie Principle, Coldhard of Crucial Conflict and AM7.
At the listening party hosted at Hyde Park’s Chemistry, house loyalists stood out from the crowd: a black man who brought a tambourine to add an extra layer to the already pulsating music and a black woman in a headdress black and a flowing blouse with a large rose print.
The two joined forces on the dance floor and sometimes crowds gathered around them before dissipating, leaving the two on the dance floor to immerse themselves in the music alone.
“They remind me of being back in house clubs when I was younger,” said Savage, one of two dancers who lived off Chicago Avenue when he was younger.
“We were very close,” he said. “Everyone knew their neighbors and took care of each other. Greater Progressive Baptist Church is where I started with music. That’s where my gift was promoted. “
First, in the children’s choir, who later became music minister at age 13, Savage said she knew she was destined to live a life as a musician even though her parents wanted her to pursue her education.
“I went to college for a few years to do a major in psychology, but I always knew music was going to be my way,” she said. “The summer of my sophomore, a friend of mine told me they needed writers at ID Records. I got a job there and never went back to college and have been making music ever since.”
Savage began writing hit records like “We Got a Love Thang” for Cece Peniston until RCA executives noticed her voice. They were so impressed that they gave Savage his first record deal.
Since then, she has been successful as a songwriter, singer and House artist, and loves that the new generation of black artists are also exploring house music.
“House music is black music and I feel that black artists can explore any kind of black music because it’s ours,” said Savage. “As long as they show reverence and respect, I don’t see any problem with that. I don’t see it as bastardizing music.
The legendary house music artist and producer agrees.
“We’ve always seen hip-hop and pop artists in house clubs,” he said. “It is a gift and a curse. If they take us with us, then that’s a good thing, but if they act like they’re not [joking] with us, then that’s a bad thing. They have to include us in the reindeer games to show what real house music sounds like and what it should be like. “
Hunter said there is no better time than now to release his new house single, which will be among a growing number of house records sure to come out this year.
“The timing couldn’t be more perfect and with all the Chicago artists and house legends on the record, this can really bring it back to show the world what Chicago sounds like – it’s house,” said Hunter.
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