Tropical House

Tropical House, also known as trop house, is a subgenre of electronic dance music (EDM). The genre emerged in the early 2010s and peaked in popularity in 2015-2017, before eventually merging with other subgenres like future bass, trap and pop. The origins of Tropical House can be traced back to the tropical island of Mauritius where a young producer, Daniele Di Martino, discovered the sound while living there in the early 2010s. The sound was inspired by everything from the local music from Mauritius to the Caribbean rhythms and sounds from Jamaica. The music was then discovered by popular artist Kygo, who is often credited with popularizing the genre. Kygo, also known as Kyrre Gørvell-Dahll, is a Norwegian DJ, songwriter and record producer who started experimenting with the sounds of Tropical House in 2013. His breakthrough hit "Firestone" featuring Australian singer Conrad Sewell brought the genre to mainstream attention and opened the doors for other producers who were exploring the genre. Another artist who played a significant role in the development of Tropical House was Thomas Jack, an Australian DJ who coined the term "tropical house" to describe the music he was playing. While Kygo focused on producing original tracks, Jack became known for his mixtapes and live performances which featured chilled-out remixes of popular songs with a tropical twist. Jack was responsible for bringing the genre to festivals like Coachella and Tomorrowland, and helped to establish the genre's signature sound. As the genre grew in popularity, more artists began experimenting with the sound and adding their own unique spin to it. The genre became known for its upbeat, melodic beats, and lush, tropical-inspired instrumentation such as steel drum and marimba samples, and also for incorporating elements of reggae, house, and pop influences. While the popularity of Tropical House reached its peak in 2015-2017, it has since merged with other genres, leading to the development of subgenres such as Pop Tropical House and Future Tropical House, which incorporates elements of trap and future bass. However, the genre has also faced criticism for being too formulaic and repetitive, with producers accused of relying too heavily on the same basic beats, rhythms, and melodies. Despite this criticism, Tropical House remains a popular subgenre in today's EDM scene, especially amongst younger audiences who are drawn to its upbeat and cheerful sound. Producers continue to experiment with the sound, adding new elements to keep the genre fresh and exciting.

Kygo: The Norwegian producer is considered one of the pioneers of tropical house, with hits such as “Firestone” and “Stole The Show”. Kygo’s signature sound is characterized by light piano melodies, pitched:up vocal chops, and tropical:inspired percussion. Thomas Jack: The Australian DJ is widely credited with popularizing tropical house in the United States. He gained recognition with his remix of OMI’s “Cheerleader” and went on to release original tracks such as “Rivers” and “The Final Speech”. Matoma: The Norwegian DJ made a name for himself with his remix of Notorious B.I.G.’s “Old Thing Back”. His tropical:inspired sound is characterized by catchy melodies, reggae rhythms, and tropical beats. Matoma has collaborated with artists such as Jason Derulo and Enrique Iglesias. Lost Frequencies: The Belgian DJ gained international recognition with his hit single “Are You With Me”. His sound blends elements of deep house and tropical house, with catchy melodies and tropical beats. Sam Feldt: The Dutch producer is known for his melodic tropical house sound, with hits such as “Show Me Love” and “Post Malone”. Sam Feldt’s sound is characterized by soulful vocals, uplifting melodies, and tropical beats. Bakermat: The Dutch producer is known for his experimental approach to tropical house, blending elements of jazz and soul into his sound. Bakermat’s hits include “One Day (Vandaag)” and “Teach Me”. Felix Jaehn: The German DJ gained international fame with his remix of OMI’s “Cheerleader”. His tropical:inspired sound is characterized by catchy melodies and uplifting beats. Felix Jaehn has collaborated with artists such as Steve Aoki and Adam Lambert. Robin Schulz: The German DJ gained recognition with his remix of Mr. Probz’s “Waves”. His sound blends elements of deep house and tropical house, with catchy melodies and tropical beats. Robin Schulz’s hits include “Sugar” and “OK”. Klingande: The French DJ gained recognition with his hit single “Jubel”. His sound blends elements of house and jazz with catchy melodies and uplifting beats. Klingande’s music often features live saxophone and guitar. Alok: The Brazilian DJ is known for his unique blend of tropical house and Brazilian rhythms. His hits include “Hear Me Now” and “All The Lies”. Alok has collaborated with artists such as Steve Aoki and Tove Lo.

1. "Cheerleader" - OMI 2. "Lean On" - Major Lazer & DJ Snake ft. MØ 3. "Stolen Dance" - Milky Chance 4. "Tropical House Cruises to Jamaica" - DJ Grid 5. "Show Me Love" - Robin S. ft. Steve Angello 6. "Don't Kill My Vibe" - Sigrid 7. "Faded" - Alan Walker 8. "This Girl" - Kungs vs. Cookin' On 3 Burners 9. "Fast Car" - Jonas Blue ft. Dakota 10. "Be Mine" - Ofenbach 11. "Reality" - Lost Frequencies ft. Janieck Devy 12. "In The Name Of Love" - Martin Garrix ft. Bebe Rexha 13. "Perfect Strangers" - Jonas Blue ft. JP Cooper 14. "Cheap Thrills" - Sia ft. Sean Paul 15. "Rockabye" - Clean Bandit ft. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie 16. "Isn't She Lovely" - Stevie Wonder (Goldroom Remix) 17. "Sexual" - Neiked ft. Dyo 18. "Shape of You" - Ed Sheeran (Jack Wins Remix) 19. "There For You" - Martin Garrix & Troye Sivan 20. "Solo Dance" - Martin Jensen 21. "Goodbye" - Feder ft. Lyse 22. "Something Just Like This" - The Chainsmokers & Coldplay 23. "Stay" - Zedd & Alessia Cara 24. "Where Are Ü Now" - Jack Ü ft. Justin Bieber 25. "All We Know" - The Chainsmokers ft. Phoebe Ryan

One of the most notable books written on Tropical House is "Kygo - Life of a Tropical House DJ" by Bjorn Roche. The book provides an in-depth look at the life and career of Norwegian DJ and producer Kygo, who is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Tropical House. Roche describes how Kygo's unique blend of tropical rhythms and electronic beats put him on the map, and made him a chart-topping artist in Europe and around the world. The book also explores the controversy surrounding Kygo's use of unauthorized remixes of popular songs, and the legal battles that followed. Another book that delves into the world of Tropical House is "Tropical House: Music, Movement, and Meaning" by Jan-Maarten de Winter. The author analyzes the cultural and historical significance of Tropical House, and how it evolved from other electronic dance music genres, such as Deep House and Ibiza House. The book also examines the role of social media in the rise of Tropical House, and how platforms like SoundCloud and YouTube helped to expose the genre to a wider audience. Notable quotes about Tropical House include the following: "Tropical House is like a warm summer breeze that fills you with a sense of peace and joy. It's the perfect soundtrack for beach parties and sunset sessions." - Thomas Jack "Tropical House is a refreshing departure from the aggressive and sometimes monotonous sound of other electronic dance music genres. It's a celebration of life, love, and good vibes." - Kygo "Tropical House is a simple yet effective formula that combines catchy melodies, uplifting rhythms, and a touch of tropical magic. It's the sound of paradise, wherever you may be." - Bakermat Despite its popularity, Tropical House has faced criticism from some music critics and fans who argue that it lacks originality and artistic depth. Some have criticized the genre as a shallow and commercialized form of music that caters to mainstream tastes. Others argue that Tropical House is too simplistic and formulaic, with little room for experimentation and innovation.

Tropical House was born into a world that was hungry for new music trends. It emerged during the rise of electronic dance music (EDM) and its mainstream popularity. Tropical House was a breath of fresh air in a genre which had become dominated by high energy and often repetitive beats. This new genre appealed to a wider audience as its sound was both relaxed and easy to listen to. It also introduced various sounds from different cultures such as the marimba from Africa, creating a unique vibe. Tropical House broke away from the typical dance music culture of the time. Its laid-back approach and the use of acoustic instruments such as guitars and saxophones were a far cry from the electro powerhouse sounds of other EDM genres. This new type of music was seen as a way for people to unwind and get into a summer vibe. The sound came to fruition through the work of notable DJs, music producers, and record labels. The early pioneers of Tropical House were DJs like Kygo, Thomas Jack, and Matoma. They started producing music that incorporated elements of tropical sounds and acoustic instruments, which helped to create the distinct Tropical House sound. Many of these artists started experimenting with sampling classic tropical tunes from the 60s and 70s. In doing so, they created remixes that became popular, and the genre eventually caught on. However, Tropical House has credited record labels such as “Spinnin' Records” and “Columbia Records” for bringing this genre into the spotlight. These record labels played a pivotal role in promoting the genre through their global reach and massive distribution channels. Their promotion strategy helped the genre to reach more audiences, and more people started to pay more attention to it. This output also created a collaborative space for DJs and producers, which helped to push the genre forward. In addition, Tropical House’s technological context helped to shape the sound that we hear today. Its sound is characterized by its use of ambient sounds, reverbs, and delay effects. The longtime reliance on analog equipment in electronic dance music saw a shift in the late 2000s when digital audio workstations and plug-ins became popular. The availability of digital software allowed producers to create sounds that were otherwise difficult to achieve. Journalists also played a significant role in promoting and defining the genre. Music journalists such as David Drake of Complex Magazine and Joe Muggs of The Guardian wrote articles that extensively detailed the rise of Tropical House. They helped the genre to be more recognizable and strenghtened the output of this genre.