Miami bass (booty bass, bass music) is a form of music known for deep, throbbing beats, hyperkinetic rhythms and, often, sexually explicit lyrics. It arose in the southern United States, centered on Miami and Orlando, and elsewhere in Florida, as well as Atlanta and Alabama. Miami bass has achieved little mainstream chart success, though it has won acceptance among US southerners and some northern hip hop listeners, a form to which it is closely related.
Musically, its roots can be found in electro. The music came into existence as part of Miami's stereo wars, when people tried to out-stereo each other, claiming that they had the loudest, most bass-heavy stereo system in their car.
The most famous Miami bass group is 2 Live Crew, known for the censorship efforts surrounding their As Nasty As They Wanna Be album. Though 2 Live Crew was based out of Miami, they actually formed in Los Angeles. Their debut single, "The Revelation" (1985, 1985 in music), was a socially aware examination of poverty and crime, and was influenced by West Coast Electro. Their first LP, 2 Live Is What We Are, established the Miami bass sound in many listeners (especially in the south), and included raunchy lyrics (such as "We Want Some Pussy").
While 2 Live Crew popularized Miami bass for many listeners, DJ Magic Mike established a significant underground following during the late 1980s. During the 1990s, Uncle Al, The Get Funky Crew, The 69 Boyz, 95 South and The Quad City DJs established Miami bass as a commercial and social force in the south, though northern and international success was slim.
Miami bass has had a lasting influence on other musical styles, particuarly Chicago's ghetto house and Detroit's ghettotech.
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