Hard dance

Hard Dance is an umbrella term that refers to a group of Hard electronic dance genres which aren't hard enough to be classified as hardcore. The term usually includes genres such as Hard House, Hard NRG, Hard Trance, and Hardstyle. The BPM for these genres is typically 140-180BPM, with a 4/4 rhythm (specifically four-on-the-floor).^{[citation needed]}

It is not uncommon for the term "hard dance" to be associated with other electronic dance genres such as hardcore and Psytrance. This, however, is a matter of opinion. Hard dance is typically an underground musical movement, one which breaks away from the British cheeseboard of Popular Dance music.^{[citation needed]}

History

Concerning origin, the Hard House scene started in Britain in the 1990s, with artists such as Tony De Vit. The Hard NRG scene is also a British movement, and is a direct offshoot of Hard House. Hard NRG is typically harder and darker than Hard House, but has the same style and feel to it. BK is the artist that bought the genre to the international stage and is still the largest selling Hard dance artist of all time with top 40 hits such as "Revolution". His hardbeat series on Nukleuz records defined the genre and started a massive club culture for the sound.^{[citation needed]}

Hard Trance and Hardstyle, however, originate from the European underground, with artists such as Kamui and DJ Isaac. In some cases the defining lines between these genres is very blurred, but there are some simple differences. Hard Trance has more repetitive basslines, and is more melodically orientated than Hardstyle, but is far more driving than regular trance.^{[citation needed]}

From early 2008, hard dance has seen a surge in popularity after a number of years where it had largely fallen out of favor with the mainstream electronic dance community. This was especially true in the UK where it has gained widespread support, with BBC Radio 1 reflecting this in its schedule with the addition of Kutski to its dance music line-up.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Hardcore techno