Driving Down Memory Lane: A Father-Daughter Music Routine
Efficient Communication Strategy: Successfully Engaging Your Adolescent Daughter in Dialogue
A toe-tapping ritual with my daughter Ayden, spanning these past years, keeps us connected, shedding light on our musical preferences. As the DJ in the passenger's seat, I offer or withhold the stamp of approval on the tracks that've invaded her playlist. Whether the music's new or nostalgic, it depends on our car's journey-song by song for short errands, several tunes for school drop-offs, and a solid 20-minute block during our drive to New York City. This musical moderator serves as a chat catalyst, digging deeper into Ayden's thoughts when discussing her taste in music.
On a recent trip home from cheerleading practice, Ayden shuffles through Philly's club music scene with tracks like "Get Humpy" by Bril and 5 Star, "2Humpy Anthem" by 2Rare and 2Humpy, and "Buckle Up" by PGS Spence, representing Philly Goats. The past couple of years have seen this new school of artists breathing life into the East Coast club scene, influenced by a natural cross-pollination that's bloomed over the years. As TikTok dominates for the new generation, bite-sized tracks that beg to be danced to are schools of thought.
Club music's trajectory has been nothing short of cinematic over its 30-plus years. The music capital transitioned from Baltimore to North Jersey, where it collided with New York tristate area's musical currents. The late 2010s witnessed New York rappers embracing drill music coming from the UK, altering their flow patterns to suit a choppier style. Jersey rappers, sharing New York's closeness geographically, adopted this style but chose to rhyme over Jersey club instead. The movement migrated south to Philadelphia, where local artists carved out their niche by rapping over club beats.
I'd be remiss not to admit Ayden's chosen selections reminded me of my youth in the late 2000s, though I caught myself wanting to pooh-pooh her picks, stubbornly sticking to Baltimore's club music glory days. A critic of music, tasked with being clued in about the host of tunes reverberating across Black America, I chose instead to recognize the novelty. "This is kinda cool, I s'pose. The lyrics lack, but it's cool," I quip, nudging her just enough to spark conversation.
"They don't lack, Dad," Ayden counters. "This is what people are doing on TikTok."
From Beats to Beliefs: Hitting the Right Notes
I strive to keep these musical exchanges as free as my hands on the wheel, allowing for some leeway when lyrics get a little too colorful. "Alright, enough with the innuendo," I chime in. And so much of the music scene is like this, laden with promiscuity or jeering violence when it comes to male teens' social status. In Ayden's middle school social circle, the latest trend is drawn from a local collective-Mg Shorty, Mg BabyK, and Lor Mark-who channel drill sensibilities to Breton's shores. Baltimore hasn't fully taken to drill music; in terms of production, the city fancies a warped version of Atlanta trap beats, ala Lil Baby. However, their lyrics drip with violence and a twisted form of braggadocio about their desire to vent chaos. Unsurprisingly, her selections leave me altogether underwhelmed, yet I can't ignore her sagacious reasoning. "But Dad, some of the songs you play aren't much different," she challenges.
Philadelphia's Beat Catalyst: The Evolution of East Coast Club Music
Disco Era (1970s)
East Coast club music sprouted from the roots of disco in the late '60s and flourished in the following decade. Philadelphia's vibrant club scene coagulated around iconic spots like Artemis[1], cementing the city's status as a disco epicenter. Unfortunately, disco's popularity waned in the late 70s due to an anti-disco backlash.
Hip-Hop and Rap (Early 1970s)
The early '70s saw hip-hop's birth inspired by disco, with the genre first taking root in New York City. While Philadelphia wasn't the hip-hop nucleus, its proximity to New York City made it part of the broader regional scene.
1980s and the Rise of Nightlife
The '80s brought a thriving nightlife to cities like New York and Philadelphia. Dubbed "South Philly Disco," clubs in South Philadelphia evolved into iconic dance havens[3]. The decade witnessed the shift from disco to other genres, such as house and techno.
Current State
In its current iteration, Philadelphia's club music scene reflects diversity by encompassing various musical styles and venues, such as Jamey's House of Music[2], which blends live performances with dining and art. Efforts like the 52nd Street Stroll, which preserves the city's rich musical and cultural history, underline its historical significance as a bastion of entertainment.
Connecting with my daughter over music, I've discovered, is an insightful journey. Instead of criticizing her choices, I've learned the importance of acknowledging trends while guiding her to understand the dark corners of 'what's cool.' Looking at today's hip-hop and club music, it's clear that these genres have evolved significantly from their disco and trap roots, yet echo the same themes of violence and promiscuity. As a dad, it's my responsibility to show Ayden different perspectives and encourage her to break free from the norm, teaching her to appreciate the groove without losing her moral compass.
- The diverse musical styles that Ayden and I discover during our car rides, from East Coast club music to Philly Goats' tracks, reflect the cultural lifestyle that shapes our family-dynamics and our home-and-garden life.
- The evolving club music scene, from its roots in disco to its current iteration in Philadelphia, mirrors the transformation of our relationships, both personal and social, as it adapts to societal changes and new technologies.
- As we navigate the sometimes controversial lyrics of popular music, we engage in discussions about culture, values, and current social trends, strengthening our bond and providing insights into the broader world of lifestyle choices and beliefs.
