outlaw house

The Wild Frontier of Outlaw House: A Groovy History

Outlaw house, a subgenre of house music that emerged in the late 90s, is a sonic embodiment of rebellion. It’s like the rebellious cousin of your average house track, with a rougher edge, a penchant for dark melodies, and a disregard for the conventional rules of the genre. Think of it as the soundtrack to a lawless underground rave, where the music is as untamed as the crowd.

The Birth of the Outlaw

The early days of outlaw house were marked by a defiant spirit against the increasingly commercialized and polished sound of mainstream house. Artists like DJ Sneak and DJ Pierre championed this rougher, more raw sound, focusing on harder beats, darker synth melodies, and a focus on the “underground” experience. This attitude resonated with a generation of clubbers who were craving something more authentic and less sanitized.

The Outlaw’s Arsenal

The defining characteristics of outlaw house are:

• Gritty, distorted beats: The emphasis is on a raw, unpolished sound, often achieved through lo-fi production techniques and heavy use of distortion.
• Dark, atmospheric melodies: Outlaw house leans towards darker, more melancholic synth melodies that create a sense of tension and unease.
• Raw, hypnotic grooves: The hypnotic grooves of outlaw house are designed to keep the dancefloor moving, but with a more underground feel.
• Anti-establishment attitude: Outlaw house embraced a rebellious spirit against the mainstream, with artists pushing the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in house music.

Funny Facts:

• DJ Sneak’s “Sneakin’ Outta The House”: DJ Sneak is known for his love of incorporating offbeat samples into his tracks. One hilarious example is the “Sneakin’ Outta The House” series, where he used snippets of his own phone conversations with fans, who were often surprised to hear their voice on the track!
• The “Outlaw House” Meme: Outlaw house tracks often feature darkly humorous samples, with one of the most popular being the “Outlaw House” meme. This iconic phrase is usually delivered in a deadpan, robotic voice, adding a layer of dark comedy to the music.
• The “Outlaw” Label: While outlaw house often refers to a specific sound, it’s also a mindset. Many artists within the genre took pride in their “outlaw” status, embracing the underground and rejecting the perceived “commercialization” of mainstream house.

The Outlaw Legacy

While outlaw house may not be as mainstream as other house subgenres, it continues to influence underground music today. Its raw energy and rebellious spirit continue to resonate with those who crave something authentic and outside the norm.

So next time you’re looking for a groove that’s both dark and danceable, hit up the outlaw house scene. You might just discover a new favorite track, and who knows, you might even find yourself “Sneakin’ Outta The House” with DJ Sneak!