WASHINGTON, D.C. – What do Washingtonians love more than cherry blossoms in the spring? Go-go music, which is known for its blend of call-and-response and Afro-Latin rhythms.
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Go go is the official sound of the capital city and has significantly impacted music throughout the United States.
There’s even a new museum dedicated to the celebration and education of all things go-go – The Go-Go Museum & Cafe.
The Go-Go Museum & Cafe, founded by Ron Moten, opened in Southeast DC in February with Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser on hand to help cut the ribbon as part of the city’s efforts to recognize and support the genre.
“There is no DC without go-go and there is no go-go without DC!” Bowser said when she passed legislation designating go-go music as DC’s official genre. According to the mayor’s official website, she called it “a creative force that has inspired generations of Washingtonians socially, culturally, and artistically.”
Go-go originated in Washington during the mid-1960s to late 1970s, according to the mayor’s website, and is a fusion of many different musical forms, including funk, blues, soul, and salsa.
Go-go’s influence extends beyond DC and neighboring Maryland and Virginia.
Hit songs like “Nelly’s Hot in Here” sample Chuck Brown, a popular go-go musician. He is considered the godfather of the genre and his work influences other types of music like rap, rhythm and blues and house music.
The museum includes interactive exhibits exploring the history, evolution, and broader influence of go-go.
Dorothy Quanteh is a Reporter with Youth Journalism International.