Unsung Documentary highlights Frankie Knuckles and the birth of house music
A documentary highlights Frankie Knuckles and the birth of house music. He and other pioneering artists and the birth of house music are topics covered in the Unsung documentary series.
The documentary delves into the history of house music and its influence over people of different cultures.
The house movement found its roots in the disco era. The underground house music community was made up of mostly African American and LGBQT individuals.
“Those songs didn’t have structure, but the beats were killing. We brought our drum machines to the club and created electronic 4/4, it just made disco sound very thunderous,” said Farley Jackmaster Funk.
Frankie Knuckles is affectionately known as The Godfather of House. He was based in New York City before he made the move to Chicago and played an important part in developing house music back in the eighties.
The Frankie Knuckles influence on house music is one that is still respected and felt today by everyone in the global house scene.
Frankie Knuckles is credited with defining the essence of the sound. Today his music is still played on dance floors all over the world and gets crowds going just as much if not more than before.
These kinds of documentary series such as Unsung, are integral to the history of the genre. It is important to know where you came from in order to have a clear view of where you are headed. Documenting, recording, and reflecting on the history of music and specifically house music in this instance are valuable tools in growing the scene.
Unsung: Frankie Knuckles and The Roots of House Music have interesting interviews with artists such as Jesse Saunders, Steve Silk Hurley, Farley Jackmaster Funk, and Frankie Knuckles. Watch the full documentary to get the story and hear what these prominent artists have to say.
Watch Unsung: Frankie Knuckles and The Roots of House Music here
