Quietly, I’m a Go-Go head. A lot of music aficionados dismiss the genre as “jungle music” or “chaos,” but isn’t that what they said about Jazz? Now look where it is. Ok, I’m not trying to put Go-Go on the level of Jazz, but you have to acknowledge that there is a certain level of musicality to the art form; but, if nothing else, there is… The Party Factor.

The Party Factor™: 

[th-e-pahr-tee-fak-ter] -noun

An element of a song or musical style that; regardless of your mood, personal background, or immediate environment; will, from the pit of your very being, make you want to get up and freak something. Typically, in Hip-Hop this element is known as the “break down” or when the rapper finally shuts up and just let’s the beat ride. In R&B and Gospel it may be the “bridge” of the song– when the vocal performance reaches its climax and all the high notes, runs, harmony and any other form of musical complexity is displayed. And finally, in Pop/Rock music, this element is when your Jersey Shore fist pump grows from mere taps on the floor to a full fledge high jump and head bang.  

 Now, that we’ve defined the new phrase and musical term I have just coined, let’s get to that laugh.

Obviously, Go-Go is the type of music that gets in your feet and you can’t help but move them uncontrollably. I’m talking Mumble from Happy Feet-style. Here in the DC area, we encourage this sensation by coercing party people to  “Beat Yo Feet.” Apparently, this feeling is not just indigenous to those of us with plenty melanin. Check out this little Asian boy getting “stupid” to the bounce beat in his living room. I love it!