Electro

Electro is a genre of electronic dance music that emerged in the early 1980s, characterized by machine-like rhythms, heavy use of the Roland TR-808 drum machine, analog synthesizers, and robotic or vocoder-treated vocals. It developed from a convergence of funk, electro-funk, hip hop, and electronic music, and is often linked to the broader movement that fused electronic sounds with breakbeats.

Origins are commonly traced to the United States, with Detroit's Cybotron and New York's Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force as early influential acts. Cybotron's 1983 tracks and Afrika Bambaataa's 1982 Planet Rock, produced with Arthur Baker, fused Kraftwerk-inspired electronics with urban rhythms and helped define the sound. The genre also had strong ties to breakdancing culture and early hip hop.

Musically, electro emphasizes syncopated basslines, robotic vocal timbres, and futuristic textures. The 808-based percussion and alien-sounding synth lines became defining traits, alongside sample-based production in many records.

During the mid- to late 1980s electro waned in mainstream popularity but influenced later electronic styles and global dance cultures. It experienced revivals and crossovers in the 1990s and 2000s, contributing to electro house and other forms of EDM. Notable artists associated with electro across its history include Kraftwerk, Cybotron, Afrika Bambaataa, and later producers such as Daft Punk and Justice, who helped broaden its audience through club and popular music.