DCCC

MORE ABOUT GO-GO & its ROOTS!

More about the late great Chuck Brown

Chuck Brown is famously known as the Godfather of Go-go music. His love for music started when he was convicted of murder. He traded cigarettes for a guitar, and little did he know that that decision was his biggest life changer.

After serving, he worked various jobs and slowly started to play at parties throughout the D.C. area. His music career began when played with Jerry Butler and The Earls of Rhythm, later joined Los Latinos.  A band co-founded by DC native Tommy Smith.

His first debut album had his first hit called, “We the People”.  Afterwards, he continued to have hits, one that is famously known in the DC area called “Bustin’ Loose”. The song took the #1 spot on the Billboard charts and became Washington Nationals baseball team home-run theme song.

Brown toured around the US and while touring he looked for inspiration then he created “We Need Some Money”, which was the turning point for him. He found his way back into jazz and created “Go-go Swing” along with covers of other jazz and blues songs.

He made go-go music famous from his hits and from his performances on stage were charismatic. He had call-and-response routines that made him distinctive in the music community, which he encouraged to flourish with pride. Soon, go-go became a core for the black culture and pride. With hip-hop increasing in popularity, go-go took over the younger groups and he influenced many artists, such as Soul Rebels Brass Band, Trouble Funk, Rare Essence, etc. Soon, he became the most recognizable figure and made go-go a pride for black culture and DC pride.