Happy hardcore
Encyclopedia
Happy hardcore, also known as happycore, is a genre of music typified by a very fast tempo (usually around 160–180 BPM), often coupled with solo vocals and sentimental lyrics. Its characteristically 4/4 beat
"happy" sound distinguishes it from most other forms of hardcore techno
, which tend to be "darker". It is typically in a major mode, like Ionian
or Lydian
. In its original incarnation, it was often characterized by piano
riffs, synthetic stabs and spacey effects. This genre of music
is closely related to the typically Dutch genre of Gabber. Happy hardcore evolved from Breakbeat Hardcore
around 1991–1993, as the original house music
-based rave became faster and began to include breakbeats, evolving into Oldschool Jungle
which evolved into Drum and Bass
. The most famous artists of this genre include, Scott Brown
, Darren Styles
, Hixxy
, DJ Paul Elstak
, DJ Jolly, Party Animals
and Charly Lownoise and Mental Theo.
Time signature
The time signature is a notational convention used in Western musical notation to specify how many beats are in each measure and which note value constitutes one beat....
"happy" sound distinguishes it from most other forms of hardcore techno
Hardcore techno
Hardcore techno is a type of electronic music typified by the rhythmic use of distorted and atonal industrial-like beats and samples...
, which tend to be "darker". It is typically in a major mode, like Ionian
Ionian mode
Ionian mode is the name assigned by Heinrich Glarean in 1547 to his new authentic mode on C , which uses the diatonic octave species from C to the C an octave higher, divided at G into a fourth species of perfect fifth plus a third species of perfect fourth : C D...
or Lydian
Lydian mode
The Lydian musical scale is a rising pattern of pitches comprising three whole tones, a semitone, two more whole tones, and a final semitone. This sequence of pitches roughly describes the fifth of the eight Gregorian modes, known as Mode V or the authentic mode on F, theoretically using B but in...
. In its original incarnation, it was often characterized by piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
riffs, synthetic stabs and spacey effects. This genre of music
Music genre
A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other types of music...
is closely related to the typically Dutch genre of Gabber. Happy hardcore evolved from Breakbeat Hardcore
Breakbeat hardcore
Breakbeat hardcore is a derivative of the acid house and techno, of the late 1980s and early 1990s, that combines four-to-the-floor rhythms with breakbeats, and is associated with the UK rave scene.-The rave scene:...
around 1991–1993, as the original house music
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
-based rave became faster and began to include breakbeats, evolving into Oldschool Jungle
Oldschool jungle
Jungle is a genre of electronic music that incorporates influences from genres including breakbeat hardcore, and reggae/dub/dancehall. There is debate as to whether jungle is a separate genre from drum and bass as many use the terms interchangeably...
which evolved into Drum and Bass
Drum and bass
Drum and bass is a type of electronic music which emerged in the late 1980s. The genre is characterized by fast breakbeats , with heavy bass and sub-bass lines...
. The most famous artists of this genre include, Scott Brown
Scott Brown (DJ)
Scott Alexander Brown is a Glasgow-born Scottish DJ and music producer, now living in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. Brown produces and plays a variety of genres commonly called rave. Although he is most associated with bouncy techno, his music ranges from happy hardcore, through hard trance, to...
, Darren Styles
Darren Styles
Darren James Mew , better known as Darren Styles, is a British record producer, disc jockey and singer-songwriter from Colchester, England. Originally a member of the breakbeat hardcore group DJ Force & The Evolution, Darren found success during the 1990s as one half of Force & Styles...
, Hixxy
Hixxy
Hixxy or DJ Hixxy, born Ian Hicks, is a British UK Hardcore and previously happy hardcore DJ and musician from Portsmouth, England....
, DJ Paul Elstak
DJ Paul Elstak
DJ Paul Elstak is a Dutch hardcore/gabber and happy hardcore DJ and record producer...
, DJ Jolly, Party Animals
Party Animals
Party Animals is an album by the Norwegian band Turbonegro released in April 2005 in Norway and May 2005 in the rest of Europe. It is the final album in the Apocalypse trilogy...
and Charly Lownoise and Mental Theo.
Happy Hardcore events
- Raver Baby
- Helter Skelter
- UKHITUS
- Moon Dance
- Dreamscape
- World Dance
- Slammin Vinyl
- Rain dance
- Epidemik
- Hardcore Til I Die
- United Dance
Happy Hardcore Compilations
- BonkersBonkers (compilation)The Bonkers series was one of the leading happy hardcore compilation series in the UK. The first release was in 1996 on record label React , it was available on 2xCD, 2xTC and 4xLP formats...
- Clubland X-Treme HardcoreClubland X-Treme HardcoreClubland X-Treme Hardcore is the first album in the Clubland X-Treme Hardcore series from Clubland which features Hardcore tracks selected by Darren Styles, Breeze, and Hixxy...
- Dancemania SpeedDancemania SpeedDancemania Speed is a sub-series of Toshiba EMI's Dancemania compilation series. This series features faster, further remixed versions of recordings from previously released Dancemania albums or faster remixed covers of various famous songs...
- Hardcore Addiction
- Happy2bHardcoreAnabolic FrolicAnabolic Frolic is a happy hardcore DJ from Canada who is known for the Happy 2b Hardcore CD series and the Hullabaloo! promotion he threw in Toronto, Ontario. His real name is Chris Samojlenko...
- Hardcore Til I Die
See also
- List of electronic music genres
- UK HardcoreUK hardcoreUK Hardcore is a broad term to describe the evolved sound of Happy Hardcore Rave music which emerged around the end of the 1990s and grew in strength during the 21st century...
- RaveRaveRave, rave dance, and rave party are parties that originated mostly from acid house parties, which featured fast-paced electronic music and light shows. At these parties people dance and socialize to dance music played by disc jockeys and occasionally live performers...
- Hardcore TechnoHardcore technoHardcore techno is a type of electronic music typified by the rhythmic use of distorted and atonal industrial-like beats and samples...
- Dance MusicDance musicDance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...