By: Faith Neo
House Music (Picture Credit: bohlam_neon)
Around the beginning of the school year, one of my best friends introduced me to the genre of music called house. When I asked him why it’s called “house,” he told me it’s because it’s the type of music you play in the background when you’re at home. Whether you are hosting a house party, or doing some Sunday reset cleaning, house music can enhance any activity from the mundane, to the mildly fun, to the exciting. For myself, I find that it can electrify even the longest drives. Here are some house music essentials for your enjoyment.
The first “house” song I was introduced to was the Kazy Lambist remix of “Profite,” by Moi Je. This song has everything a textbook house song should have: it’s a remix that adds more energy to the original, it has a steady and heavy beat that’s intensified by its off beats, and its fast pace contrasts its calm lyrics. Of all the “Profite” remixes, I say this one is the best.
Crystal Waters Surprise Album Cover (Picture Credit: Spotify)
Another great house song is “Deep Down,” a collaboration with Alok, Ella Eyre, Kenny Dope, and Never Dull. This is one of many great remixes of Crystal Waters’ 1991 original which is titled “Gypsy Woman,” from her album Surprise. “Deep Down” is also my personal favorite of the bunch. Most edits or remixes of “Gypsy Woman” hold onto Waters’ iconic lines, “She's just like you and me/ But she's homeless, she's homeless/ As she stands there singing for money/ La da dee la dee da/ La da dee la dee da.”
Waters sets up a simple scene picturing a homeless woman who wakes up every morning, puts on her makeup, and sings. The homeless woman doesn’t sing any words in particular, but little does she know, 30 years later, every patron of the house music genre will sing along, belting her scat, “La da dee la dee da/ La da dee la dee da.”
A few more house remixes of “Gypsy Woman” that I want to mention are the seven-and-a-half minute, 1991, Basement Boys “Strip To The Bone” Mix, and Jorja Smith’s 2023 take on the song titled: Little Things X Gypsy Woman. The Basement Boys’ version is long but does not drag. The seven-and-a-half minutes are perfectly used to emphasize the best parts of the original, and the length makes it easier to enjoy this song in bulk (though even with this version I would replay it two to three times). Jorja Smith’s version speeds up the track for a quick, but thrilling taste of the original. She also adds her own lyrics and vocals, appealing to a younger generation of “Gypsy Woman” listeners.
Another fairly recent nod to Crystal Waters’ “Gypsy Woman” is the slickback or Jubi slide dance that was made in 2022 but popularized in 2023 through Tiktok. The popular dance is often accompanied by Lakim’s 2019 song, “A Pimp Named Slickback,” which also samples “Gypsy Woman.”
One last favorite house song of mine is the “Fake ID” (Coke & Rum remix) with Riton, Kah-Lo, and GEE LEE. This song is a head bopper for sure. Its deep, pulsating, beat and carefree lyrics makes the song a great candidate for anyone’s night-out-with-friends playlist.
I’ve linked these songs in the article and down below. Enjoy and happy listening! -Faith
Moi Je- Profite (Kazy Lambist Remix):
Riton, Kah-Lo, GEE LEE- Fake ID (Coke & Rum Remix):
“Gypsy Woman” remixes:
Alok X Ella Eyre X Kenny Dope feat. Never Dull- Deep Down: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQQY_zjjLxo
Basement Boys- “Strip To The Bone” Mix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojncAZyiIIM
Jorja Smith- Little Things X Gypsy Woman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5v2o6Mgfg8
Lakim- A Pimp Named Slickback: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB8lIwhOsP4
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