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Electro (also known as electro funk) is an electronic style of hip hop directly influenced by Kraftwerk and funk records (unlike earlier rap records that were closer to disco). Records in the genre are unabashed about their use of electronic and artificial sounds, taking this technological fetish almost into science fiction with many records about space travel and futuristic dystopias.
Bronx, NY based artist Afrika Bambaataa's Planet Rock (1982) is one of the first electro records, using elements of Kraftwerk's Trans-Europe Express and Numbers. Indeed, the drum rhythm of Planet Rock is a defining feature of the genre. Bambaataa and artists like Juan Atkins group Cybotron, Planet Patrol, Jonzun Crew, and Newcleus went on to influence the genres of techno, ghettotech and drum and bass. Los Angeles artists Egyptian Lover and Arabian Prince gave birth to electro hop, a less funky, more bass-heavy West Coast sound, similar to 2 Live Crew and the Miami Bass scene. Detroit also has a unique style sometimes called "electro" which is more like a modern house-like techno.
Common equipment in electro production includes drum machines, sequencers, synthesizers, and more recently laptop computers. A legendary drum machine, still used today, was the Roland TR-808.
Although the early 1980s were electro's heyday, there are a number of artists still making music in this style. Modern day electro artists include Adult, Ectomorph, and Anthony Rother.
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