{"id":22543,"date":"2022-08-19T21:35:19","date_gmt":"2022-08-20T01:35:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/?p=22543"},"modified":"2022-08-23T15:25:50","modified_gmt":"2022-08-23T19:25:50","slug":"innovations-music-production-lgbtq-artists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/innovations-music-production-lgbtq-artists\/","title":{"rendered":"3 key innovations across music production history from LGBTQ+ artists"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Illustration:<\/strong> Robin Lewallen<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s often said that \u201cmusic is a conversation\u201d\u2014an endless flow of inspiration and creation.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Within this ever-expanding stream of innovation are many key landmarks that have specifically come from LGBTQ+ artists, groups, and communities. In this article, let’s continue the conversation and explore just a few of many contributions\u2014some of which you may have been previously unfamiliar with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. The persistent, driving rhythms of house music<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frankie Knuckles is known as the \u201cThe Godfather of House Music.\u201d Enough said, right? He was a multi-hyphenate talent\u2014a DJ kicking off the house music craze, leaving his mark in queer clubs in New York City all the way to his famed residency at the Warehouse in Chicago.<\/a> He threw parties for all creeds, welcoming dancers of all backgrounds to his wild events. But what specifically did Frankie Knuckles do to shape house music into what it is today?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As disco\u2019s mainstream popularity declined (due in part to the increasing racist and homophobic backlash to radio stations that played them), disco records were relegated to nightclubs, like the ones Knuckles DJ\u2019ed. His open-format style blended disco with electro music, pop music, funk records, and more. Meanwhile, DJs like Jesse Saunders were experimenting with mixing disco records with drum machines and built-in effects on mixers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inspired by Saunders and his label Trax Records, Knuckles collaborated with Jamie Principle on \u201cYour Love.\u201d The song, mixing disco drums with the synthesizer warbles of Kraftwerk, soon became a seminal staple in Chicago house sets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n