glitchhop

Glitch Hop: A History of Glitches and Grooves

Glitch hop, a subgenre of electronic dance music, emerged in the early 2000s, blending the fragmented sounds of glitch with the rhythmic energy of hip-hop. It’s a genre that’s all about embracing imperfection, turning digital errors into sonic gold. Think stuttering beats, chopped-up vocals, and unexpected sound design, all wrapped in a pulsating groove that’s hard to resist.

Early Days: From Glitch to Glitch Hop

The roots of glitch hop lie in the experimental electronic music scene of the 1990s, where artists like Aphex Twin and Boards of Canada were pushing the boundaries of sound. Glitch, a style of music that embraced digital artifacts and errors as part of its aesthetic, was a major influence.

In the early 2000s, producers like Flying Lotus, Tipper, and Ott started to incorporate glitch elements into their music, combining them with hip-hop beats, basslines, and even elements of dubstep. This fusion birthed glitch hop, a genre that quickly gained a dedicated following.

The Rise of the Glitch Hop Stars:

As the genre evolved, a constellation of talented artists emerged, each bringing their own unique flavors to the glitch hop sound.

• Flying Lotus: The genre’s most prominent figure, known for his intricate sonic landscapes and collaborations with rappers like Snoop Dogg. He even released an album with a fake name to avoid being typecast as a glitch hop artist.
• Daedelus: An eccentric producer who seamlessly blends glitch with jazz and world music, creating an eclectic sonic tapestry. Fun fact: He once released an album under the name “The Glitch Mob,” but not the one you’re thinking of!
• The Glitch Mob: A trio of producers known for their live performances, where they use custom controllers and custom-built modular synthesizers to create a powerful, immersive experience. They once used a modified gaming controller to control their synthesizers live!
• Machinedrum: A multi-talented producer who has also collaborated with Björk and helped shape the sound of Burial. He’s known for his deep, atmospheric tracks that blur the lines between glitch hop and experimental electronica.

The Future of Glitch Hop:

Glitch hop continues to evolve, with new artists emerging and pushing the genre in new directions. From the wonky basslines of Eprom to the experimental soundscapes of Rustie, the genre remains a playground for creative sonic exploration.

The Glitch Hop Legacy:

Glitch hop’s impact extends far beyond its dedicated fan base. Its innovative use of sound design and its embrace of imperfection have influenced countless other electronic music genres, making it a significant force in the world of modern music.

So next time you hear a track with a chopped-up vocal sample, a stuttering beat, and a bassline that seems to defy gravity, remember that it’s probably glitch hop, a genre that’s all about embracing the unexpected and finding beauty in the broken.