Bounce Music Guide: 3 Characteristics of Bounce Music

Bounce music is a variation on hip-hop music that originated in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It merges the traditional hip-hop beats and rhythms that originated in New York in the late 1970s with the local music traditions of New Orleans. Popular bounce artists—including DJ Jubilee, DJ Jimi, Big Freedia, Magnolia Shorty, Partners-N-Crime, Pimp Daddy, Everlasting Hitman, and Cheeky Blakk—use a repetitive call-and-response vocal delivery inspired by the Mardi Gras Indian chants that are common at New Orleans festivals and block parties.

Most bounce music is performed over specific samples of music that date back to the late 1980s and early 1990s. The songs "Drag Rap" by The Showboys and "Brown Beat" by Cameron Paul are routinely sampled for their rhythm tracks, which feature what's known as the Triggerman beat.

In a relatively short amount of time, bounce music has gone from locally known to nationally recognized.

• Early days: Bounce music likely originated in the housing projects of New Orleans in the late 1980s. The style broke into local clubs in 1991 thanks to the single, "Where Dey At," by the rapper MC T. Tucker with a backing track by DJ Irv. The song heavily sampled the 1986 song "Drag Rap" by New York group the Showboys. The song's beat—called the Triggerman Beat—has been an integral part of bounce music ever since. DJ Jimi released a variation on the song called "Where They At" the following year, and soon bounce music was sweeping through New Orleans.
• Support from local labels: Local labels sprouted up, embracing the new bounce phenomenon. The biggest of these was Cash Money Records, which released records by Magnolia Shorty, U.N.L.V., Ms. Tee, and the highly popular DJ Jubilee.
• A mix of influences: As the genre expanded, it included more idiomatic New Orleans characteristics, such as sampling brass bands and using the call-and-response Mardi Gras Indian chants. Outside influences also found their way into the music—particularly the song "Brown Beats" by California DJ Cameron Paul. The song was turned into a popular bounce backing track by New Orleans DJ Mannie Fresh.
• Post-Katrina revival: When Hurricane Katrina decimated New Orleans, the bounce music community temporarily dissipated, with some bounce rappers decamping to Houston. But as New Orleans began to revive, bounce music revived along with it. In the post-Katrina era, bounce caught the ear of several Top 40 music stars, including Beyoncé, Drake, Lil' Jon, T.I., Diplo, and homegrown hero Lil Wayne. Many were connected to the music by Cash Money Records, which started as a bounce label but has grown to be one of the most successful hip-hop labels in America.

A few recurring themes characterize New Orleans bounce music.

1. 1. The Triggerman beat: Also known as Triggerman bells or just Triggaman, this rhythm track is commonly used by bounce artists. DJ Irv first used the beat for a song called "Where Dey At" by MC T. Tucker, a song that heavily sampled "Drag Rap" by the Showboys. A bounce song is rarely complete without the Triggerman beat.
2. 2. Call-and-response lyrics: Bounce rapping requires heavy audience participation as the crowd shouts back the words rapped by the MC.
3. 3. Deep connection to New Orleans culture: Bounce music distinguishes New Orleans hip-hop from other subgenres. Although vibrant bounce scenes exist in cities like Houston and Memphis, the style routinely harkens back to the brass bands and Mardi Gras Indian chants of NOLA.

Become a better musician with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Questlove, St. Vincent, Sheila E., Timbaland, Itzhak Perlman, Herbie Hancock, Tom Morello, and more.