Definition: Electro is a genre of electronic dance music. It is
characterized by the use of drum machines, typically the Roland
TR-808, electronic sounds (sometimes known as “blips and beeps”),
monotone – sometimes vocoder – vocals, and a general lack of acoustic
instruments. It is the musical pairing of funk and the 80’s
introduction of electronic drum machines.
Origin: While having spawned a variety of sub-genres, including electroclash, dubstep, skweee, techno, drum n’ bass, and ghettotech, electro’s origin itself can be traced to the decline of disco and the influx of electronic sounds, like the vocoder machine. Kraftwerk, the popular German group, began doing electro music in the late 1970’s and is considered the pioneer of the genre.
Artists: Kraftwerk, Afrika Bambaataa, Fischerspooner
See also: Disco, Techno, Drum N’ Bass, Electroclash, Dubstep, Skweee, Ghettotech, Electro House, New Wave