In Washington, D.C., the community is celebrating the recognition of go-go music as the city’s official music, a designation that acknowledges its cultural significance nearly five years after Mayor Muriel Bowser signed it into law. The “Go-Go Music of The District of Columbia Designation Act of 2019,” signed on February 19, 2020, not only established go-go as the city’s official genre but also led to the creation of programs aimed at supporting and preserving its history.
Go-go music, characterized by its unique rhythm, emerged in D.C. between the mid-1960s and late 1970s. It has remained an integral part of the city’s cultural identity. The genre, named by one of its pioneers, Chuck Brown, blends elements of blues, soul, funk, and salsa, reflecting its diverse musical influences and its role as a unifying force in the community.