In January 2015, seminal Chicago house label Dance Mania made a triumphant return to the archives with ‘Dance Mania: Ghetto Madness’, reigniting interest in the raw energy of ghetto house. This release, a follow-up to Strut’s highly praised Dance Mania retrospective ‘Hardcore Traxx’ from early 2014, shines a light on the stripped-back, high-tempo beats of ghetto house that defined the mid-90s. It celebrates a fresh wave of talent including pioneers like DJ Deeon, DJ Funk, Jammin’ Gerald, and DJ Milton, all central figures in the dance mania movement.
This compilation tells the compelling story of Chicago’s evolving house music scene during the 90s. As mixtapes circulated through local record stores, DJs cultivated dedicated underground followings, performing at intimate parties within Chicago’s housing projects. Audiences were increasingly drawn to faster tempos and the provocative, gangsta rap-inspired lyrics that characterized the sound. DJ Deeon recalls this shift, noting, “it bridged the gap. It made it OK for guys in the ghetto to like house again and it brought the women onto the dancefloor too.” Dance Mania, under the guidance of Ray Barney, was ideally positioned to capitalize on this burgeoning sound. DJs frequented Barney’s record store, and due to his respected position as a label owner in Chicago, he consistently had access to the most exciting tracks for early commercial releases, solidifying Dance Mania‘s pivotal role.
‘Ghetto Madness’ expertly compiles both underground classics and enduring fan favorites, cementing Dance Mania’s legendary status as the ‘Motown of Ghetto House’. The tracklist boasts iconic anthems such as DJ Deeon’s infectious ‘The Freaks’, the gritty and sexually charged ‘Computer Sex’ by DJ Funk, and Paul Johnson’s sought-after ‘Give Me Ecstacy’, a favorite of Nina Kraviz. Further gems unearthed from the Dance Mania vaults include Steve Poindexter’s early, darker exploration ‘Computer Madness’ and Tyree Cooper’s highly sought-after jam, ‘Nuthin’ Wrong’, showcasing the breadth and depth of the dance mania sound. This collection is essential for anyone looking to understand the raw and influential sound of Chicago ghetto house and the enduring legacy of Dance Mania Records.
