Robotic funk for the dancefloor of the future. 120–140 BPM.
Electro (or electro-funk) is a genre of electronic music and early hip-hop that emerged in the early 1980s in the USA. It is characterized by heavy use of drum machines (especially the Roland TR-808), synthesizers, and vocoded or robotic vocals. With a tempo typically between 120 and 140 BPM, electro laid the groundwork for many later electronic genres.
The defining artists of Electro — the names that shaped the sound. Tap to hear on Spotify.
The classic anthems and current essentials that define Electro.
Electro is built around a driving, syncopated drum machine pattern, typically using the Roland TR-808's kick, snare, clap, and hi-hats. The rhythm is often straight but with swung hi-hats and a heavy, booming kick. Basslines are deep and melodic, often played on analog synthesizers, while lead melodies are bright, arpeggiated, or staccato. Vocals are frequently processed through a vocoder or talk box, giving a robotic, futuristic quality.
The overall feel is energetic, danceable, and slightly mechanical, with a strong emphasis on the low-end and crisp highs. Electro tracks often build tension through layered synth parts and breakdowns, creating a sense of journey. The tempo is medium-fast, around 130 BPM, making it ideal for both dancing and head-nodding.
Electro originated in the early 1980s in the United States, particularly in New York and Detroit, as a fusion of funk, hip-hop, and the emerging electronic music scene. Key early tracks like Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force's "Planet Rock" (1982) and Hashim's "Al-Naafiysh (The Soul)" (1983) defined the sound, built around the Roland TR-808 drum machine and synthesizer melodies.
Throughout the 1980s, electro evolved alongside breakdancing and graffiti culture, becoming a staple of the emerging hip-hop scene. Artists like Egyptian Lover, Cybotron, and Newcleus pushed the sound further, incorporating sci-fi themes and robotic vocals via vocoders. The genre also heavily influenced Detroit techno and Miami bass.
Culturally, electro represented a futuristic, post-industrial vision of dance music, often celebrating technology and urban life. Its impact can be heard in modern genres like electro house, ghettotech, and even modern hip-hop, with the TR-808 sound remaining iconic. Electro's legacy endures in the underground and has seen periodic revivals.
How Electro is built — drum pattern, swing, and the sounds you need.
To produce electro, start with a solid TR-808 drum pattern: a heavy kick on beats 1 and 3, snare on 2 and 4, with swung hi-hats on 16th notes. Add claps and rimshots for accent. The swing is crucial—around 55-65% swing on hi-hats gives that classic groove. Use a bass synth like the Roland TB-303 or a Moog-style subtractive synth for a deep, resonant bassline. Lead synths should be bright and percussive, often with arpeggios or simple melodies.
Typical samples include vocal chops, sci-fi sound effects, and short spoken word snippets. Process vocals through a vocoder (e.g., Roland VP-330) or talk box for the classic electro vocal sound. Keep the mix clean but punchy, with the kick and snare upfront. Electro is about repetition and subtle variation—build energy by adding layers and filtering. BPM is usually 125-135, but can vary.
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