Techno music, a genre of electronic dance music, has a rich and evolving history. It originated in the late 1980s and quickly gained popularity, giving rise to numerous subgenres. Techno music grew out of European electronic music from the 1970s and 1980s, with influences from acts like Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream, and C.J. Bolland.
The emergence of Detroit techno in the late 1980s was pivotal. The Belleville Three, comprising Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson, used electronic instruments favored by European dance groups and helped establish a Detroit sound. Techno music from Detroit caught on in Europe and played a significant role in European rave music during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Techno continued to thrive in Detroit, thanks to the Underground Resistance music collective formed in 1989 by "Mad" Mike Banks, Jeff Mills, and Robert Hood. Other techno capitals around the world, such as New York, Chicago, Berlin, and Ghent, also contributed to its expansion. Techno merged with other genres like deep house, Chicago house, and acid house, giving rise to subgenres such as minimal techno, ambient techno, hardcore techno, and more.
Today, techno music remains popular, and it often coexists with other electronic genres in club playlists. It has spawned numerous subgenres, including Detroit techno, trance, deep techno, tech house, and more. Techno's influence extends to offshoot genres like acid house, rave, electronica, and EDM.
Techno's history is a testament to its ability to adapt and evolve, constantly pushing the boundaries of electronic music. Its impact can be felt worldwide, and it continues to shape the contemporary music scene.