Surging from Chicago warehouses and finding its way onto mainstream playlists, house music has been undergoing a renaissance. The pulsating energy, electronic sounds, and repeating rhythms have captivated a newer generation of listeners.

But why do many Latin students feel strongly about house music? Is it because of its Chicago roots? Or the sound that it brings to them? Is it just a trend, or will Latin students still be listening in six months?

Freshman Savanna Lane reflected on the genre. “I really like house music because the beats and the energy are so exciting and fun and are also really different from other kinds of music,” she said. “It has a really energetic vibe that’s fun to listen to with friends or at parties.”

Sophomore Ani Mehta-Shah echoed Savanna’s sentiment. “My dad always played it in the car when I was little, but I didn’t really immerse myself in the genre until it started to become more popular,” she said. “I don’t think that it’s (just) a trend; people have been listening to house for a really long time.”

The beginnings of House music were in Chicago. It arose from the death of disco music, and the first club to promote the genre was “The Warehouse,” a club at 206 S. Jefferson St. in the West Loop. DJ Frankie Knuckles, the “godfather of house music,” owned and performed at the club.

Amid The Warehouse’s popularity, Chicago record labels caught onto the unique sound of house music. Independent record label Trax Records released influential hits such as “Move Your Body” by Marshall Jefferson and “Your Love” by Frankie Knuckles, while DJ International, launched by Rocky Jones and Benji Espinosa, released “Music is the Key” by J.M. Silk.

Sophomore Ariya Desai feels a deeper connection to house. “I love house music because it makes me so happy, and I feel prideful that I am from the place it originated from.”

House music’s reach extends beyond Chicago, however. The birth of house music has pushed musical boundaries, situating house music in a larger musical ecosystem including newer genres like techno and older ones like funk, thus proving its relevance through time and trends.

“I really love how house has influenced other genres. I’m so glad that Chicago history is getting recognized in the music industry,” Ani said.

Latin students are no strangers to house music. With senior Michael Kotcher DJ-ing during lunch periods in the Learning Commons and countless students attending popular DJ John Summit’s concerts in October, the love that students hold for the genre is apparent.

Sophomore HJ Walberg said, “My interest in DJ-ing was heavily influenced by my listening to house music and, in my opinion, they kind of go hand in hand.”

Latin students’ passion for house music does not end at in-school listening and performances. John Summit’s Chicago concerts received lots of attention from the student body.

“Hearing John Summit live made me proud to call Chicago the home of house music,” sophomore Noor Bazzi said.

Sophomore Caroline Gaines agreed. “My experience at John Summit listening to house music was like an out-of-body experience,” Caroline said. “If there was one genre of music to listen to, I would choose house.”

Chicago-native festival Lollapalooza also hosted many house DJs at Perry’s, a stage that featured mostly EDM and house music this year. Names such as FISHER, Mochakk, Galantis, it’s murph, and ZEDD filled Grant Park. Arguably, this year was the festival’s first big house music-filled headliner.

“At first I didn’t really care for house music and didn’t seek it out at Lolla, but when Tyler, the Creator dropped out, and I didn’t want to see Megan Thee Stallion, I resided to seeing FISHER,” junior Clark Scroggins said. “I had no expectations, but Fisher was easily the best set of the weekend for me, and made me realize how much I love house music.”

While attending Lollapalooza all four days this year, I experienced over 10 performances at Perry’s. The crowds during every performance were electric, especially at FISHER. Before this year, I paid little attention to the artists at Perry’s.
However, this year was a huge shift for me. The energy was contagious, and I was blown away by the incredible performances each DJ put on.

Senior Isabella Carney said, “I think that Perry’s was a big hit this year, and people will definitely still listen to house music because of the possible headliners for next year.”

House music’s legacy shines brightly and seems to be here to stay.

Junior Miles Ray said, “House music is really important to keep me grounded and connect with the people around me. I couldn’t imagine being without it.”