Google Honors Chicago House Music with Animated Doodle for Black History Month
In celebration of Black History Month, today’s music video Doodle celebrates house music, a genre with roots in Chicago’s Black community.
The Birth of House Music
The Doodle captures the essence of House Music, a genre of electronic dance music that was birthed and innovated by Chicago producers Frankie Knuckles, Ron Hardy, Jesse Saunders, Chip E., Joe Smooth, Steve “Silk” Hurley, Farley “Jackmaster” Funk, Marshall Jefferson, Phuture and many others.
Creating the Doodle
DJ and producer Kelly G and a team of designers and animators are responsible for this slick and funky ode to House. “Google’s tribute to Chicago House music isn’t just a nod to culture—it’s a masterclass in digital storytelling and respect,” wrote Kelly G. “The team didn’t just scratch the surface; they dug deep into the vinyl crates of history, obsessing over details that would make even the most seasoned House heads grin. The Google Doodle feels like a perfectly mixed Chicago House track—layered, nuanced, and full of Easter eggs that reveal themselves with each replay. It’s a celebration of how a local, raw sound became a global movement.”
Praising the Doodle
Many on social media praised the Doodle, which anyone could access on Saturday by simply heading to Google.com. “So dope to see Google honor Chicago House music during Black History Month. Shout out to Kelly G, Jelly Mazza, Tuma Basa and the whole Goggle team for putting it all together and making sure we did right!” House Legend DJ Terry Hunter posted on Instagram.
About the Author
Tacuma R. Roeback is the Managing Editor for the Chicago Defender. His journalism, non-fiction, and fiction have appeared in the Smithsonian Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Tennessean, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Phoenix New Times, HipHopDX.com, Okayplayer.com, The Shadow League, SAGE: The Encyclopedia of Identity, Downstate Story, Tidal Basin Review, and Reverie: Midwest African American Literature. He is an alumnus of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, Chicago State University, and Florida A&M University.
Conclusion
Google’s tribute to Chicago House music is a celebration of the genre’s rich history and its impact on the global music scene. The Doodle is a testament to the creativity and innovation of the Black artists who pioneered House music in Chicago.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is House Music?
A: House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago in the 1980s.
Q: Who are some of the pioneers of House Music?
A: Some of the pioneers of House Music include Frankie Knuckles, Ron Hardy, Jesse Saunders, Chip E., Joe Smooth, Steve “Silk” Hurley, Farley “Jackmaster” Funk, Marshall Jefferson, Phuture, and many others.
Q: What is the significance of Chicago House Music?
A: Chicago House Music is significant because it represents the cultural and artistic expression of the Black community in Chicago, and its global impact on the music industry.
