The Sound of NYC’s Underground Vogue Scene (feat. Qween Beat)
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- Опубліковано 4 сер 2019
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You’re probably familiar with NYC's underground ballroom scene through Madonna’s Vogue or shows like Pose FX. This subculture has been recognized for creating the inventive dance style voguing, but they’ve also created a music genre that’s all their own.
Nahre and LA traveled to New York to meet MikeQ, the founder of the first ballroom record label: Qween Beat. MikeQ invited us to House of Vogue, Qween Beat’s monthly ball, to meet the musicians and dancers of the ballroom scene and find out what makes their music so captivating. Jose Xtravaganza talks about how the scene has evolved from Paris is Burning to today.
Written by Katie Moritz
Special thanks to House of Yes in Brooklyn for hosting House of Vogue
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This documentary was just nominated for a Webby and you can vote for it here bit.ly/2KGbLcD ! please help us spread the love
Well done. Love it!
just voted. Good luck!
I was going to vote just now, turns out you won
Oof I’m late as hell lmao
@@noahalcoser1977 hahaha that means just as much to us. But hell yeah this documentary won :)
If anyone else is curious, there are multiple styles of Vogue as well. The vouging you see in "Paris is Burning" is Old way which focuses on lines and house music. Vouge Femme is where you see the dips and dramatic flair in the video. Vouge New way is coming up that mixes the lines and contortion of old way with the dramatics and music of Vouge femme.
Yassss Edward Chong
Any chance you know the song they were freaking out to backstage about the sample? I need to hear the full track!
.
I adore the old way!
Klopfenpop music I think it’s some remix of the next episode by dr Dre and snoop. I’d start there and look for jersey club versions of that.
I need you guys to be WAY bigger than y'all are, like seriously this channel is attentive, sensitive, educational, analytical and the hosts always seem super cool
Help us get the word out! We need it toooo
So respectful and really focused on introducing and making connections! I hope you strengthen and create bonds that we get to see fostered further thru your channel!
I love you this shifted from hard music theory to an exploration of the people's varied experiences into this culture. I wish you could go back in time and explore House music development too 😍
Got to hand it to the hosts they really do their job well.
Thanks Kingsley. We're working HARD
Great segment!!
I could have watched a full hour of this.
Easily....
You guys smile like kids in candy shops around new music.
We are honored to host House of Vogue & MikeQ at our venue every month :) Thanks for coming to shoot in our venue!
We need this weekly!!
When are you going to start up again!? 🥺
No matter where we are or what we doing, it's always trending. I love my people. I'm proud of how we make a way out of no way.
WE LOVE YOU BACK SIS!
Agreed...our people has been able to make lemonade out of 'dirt' since slavery...you give us sweet potatoes...we make sweet potato pie.
Sooo...Eddie Murphy and Dan Ackroyd were the Godfathers behind the biggest ballroom track ever😁interesting and hilarious 🤔😂🤣I love it!!!
I was wondering if anyone else remembered them saying that in Trading Places!! I remember specifically them on the train in disguise as African students
I never saw the movie but I’m fascinated
WOW THOSE WERE THE DAYS IN 1980 WHEN I STARTED GOING TO THE PIERS. I NOW AM 55 YEARS OLD. STILL LIVING AND KICKING IT.
RIP FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO USED TO BATTLE AT THE PIERS AND ARE NO LONGER WITH US.
Amazing Hector thank you for sharing your story
@@SoundFieldPBS Yes Sound Field. Also forgot to mention Studio 54 Funhouse Better Days and more.
My Final years were at Webster Hall and Sound FACTORY.
My Best day were at the Legendary Infamous Paradise GARAGE with LARRY LEVAN. Thanks for REMINISCING. I appreciate it.
On Sound Cloud I have a demo called Believe
Check it out Under
Santo Sud......titled
Believe
Pbs educating the children!
José Xtravaganza doesn't look a day over 25. 😎😎😎😎😎😎😎
He’s looking good
He's beautiful. So glad to see he's still around
Pose introduced me to the whole underground ball scene.
Thanks for watching and thanks for all the love in the comments! We had so much fun making this episode over many many late nights. If you like what you see, you should go support the artists featured here. You can find them all on instagram and soundcloud. Go let them know we sent you too
Came across this randomly and I couldn't be more excited to share it! Humblest of thank yous. MikeQ is an absolute gem (in my best Auntie voice) I've been playing his music as long as he's been sharing it with us....There's a generation out there hungry for this doc.
amazing video! also so cool you added this link to the artists and really gave them a spotlight
As an outsider to ballroom but fan of the channel, I came in with kind of an expectation that this video learning about ballroom would lead into y'all trying to make your own ballroom track, the way you've done with other styles. Y'all did a good job of getting across what made it important for y'all not to do that.
We've been going around filming these "On Tour" episodes as part of a series, and we are meeting people in person and learning about their style of music. Hopefully these episodes can stand on their own without us making our own songs, because for a lot of them it just wouldn't feel right to do so.
@@SoundFieldPBS [nods!]
This felt super informative and super respectful. It's making me think about the act of making art for purpose for a community, because this music is made *for* ballroom in detail down to when they hit the crash cymbal - and it'd be appropriation to try to mimic it for mass audiences, but the tools they use, the effects they pursue, and the questions they ask and answer in the formation of their works are still ... things, that can help us understand what music is and can be. And help us think about the impact we could have had by _not_ being respectful.
7:27 Wait till the crash come in
PLS I NEED THAT TRACK
Late as all hell, but for the future it's The Next Episode (Jersey Club Remix) by PrepTheProducer
ua-cam.com/video/HAJ72j9CXSM/v-deo.html
Also that little puppy was an adorable cherry on top of a bevy of beautiful folks inhabiting a gorgeous music culture
I've actually listened to a house song that mentions a "House of Dupree", didn't realise that this is a voguing house! I assumed it was fashion but now the song makes much more sense
THAT'S IT! I have no idea how you're ever gonna top this one. The music, the creators, the dance, the culture, the entire vibe. I felt uplifted, curious, thrilled and more.
But that's just what made it to my eyes and ears. And heart. Kudos to the entire team for bringing it and literally making it real. Even the camera operator has attitude and is clearly loving the scene. I can imagine the editors going: "It's too long. Gotta cut, gotta cut. But not that."
I really liked the drive there. Like WE were going there, going out for some ballroom. So many important details, never cluttered, never buried. Just the right amount of exposition and "talking head", then back inside for more. Yes, I especially liked that the background and explaining was being done outside! "Let's step out for a moment so we can talk."
What a true gem. Works on so many levels. Thanks!
PBS IS IN THE HOUSE!
You’re right there’s so many great moments we left on the cutting room floor! We had a blast in Nyc and almost every moment was like stepping into a world where magic is real.
@@SoundFieldPBS Just returned for my third viewing. HOW CAN THIS HAVE ONLY 14K VIEWS!
I personally suck at social media, but this absolutely deserves more exposure, and maybe even a small ad buy.
Then again, maybe I'm just more thrilled by this than most. I worked my way through college in the early 1980's, immediately got a good job, and for the first time in my life I had money to spend and time to spend as well. But I soon found I had zero social skills. I never previously had time or funds for much of a social life, and I was so busy I didn't feel much of a need. I loved to dance, but in the clubs I had trouble asking for dances. Worse yet, the clubs then were fairly predatory, and women would get defensive very easily, and for good reason.
I really envied that women could go out onto the dance floor alone, or with other women, when the social norms of the day made that impossible for men. I once voiced this while getting a drink at the bar, and a guy I didn't know said: "There are clubs where you can do just that. But they're gay clubs. And they do welcome straight people, if you're cool about it." He mentioned one club that had Thursday "Bring Your Straight Friends" night.
My desire to dance crushed my small fear of the unknown. And though I'm as straight as the day is long, I had no concerns at all. I simply viewed it as visiting another culture, something I had done many times while in the US Navy between high school and college.
That first experience was everything I had hoped for, and more. Not only did I get to dance, but I also found I was accepted. I felt comfortable.
Well, not all the time. I had to learn how to deal with men who found me attractive. I learned how to gracefully accept a drink from a man, yet do so with no hint of anything happening beyond friendship. I learned how to react to getting my butt pinched. And I learned how **not** to react to erect men rubbing up against me on the dance floor. Just turn away, turn away.
Basically, I learned what women put up with all the time. And, frankly, those gay men knew how to hit on someone far better than any straight man I had ever met.
Fortunately, that was just the novelty. The real core was the one simple social rule: "You accept and love me, as I am, and I accept and love you, as you are." Before long, I was being introduced as: "This is my friend Bob. He's not gay. Yet." I also met many self-described "fag hags", straight women who liked being around gay men. I met lesbians who took female lust to a level I had hardly contemplated: Testosterone ain't "all that". And all the pretty, pretty boys. And drag queens. In a place where race and age didn't matter at all. This new circle of friends was far wilder and more wonderful than I could ever have imagined for myself.
And another thing: These folks hugged. They hugged for real, for at least a full breath. At every opportunity. I didn't realize I was suffering from an extreme case of "hug deprivation". I'm still taking treatments for it every chance I get!
Eventually I started venturing back to what I was now calling the "straight clubs". Having an open heart changed everything. I stopped asking for dances from women who were being deluged with requests from horny men. I focused on those not dancing, yet looking longingly at the dance floor, much as I had spent so much time doing.
Before I knew it, I was never off the dance floor! I made so many friends. Then women started asking me for a dance! I made a rule to always say "yes": No rejection ever, only acceptance. And I made more friends. I met and danced with their friends. Including their "pretty" friends.
I was THAT guy: On the dance floor surrounded by women. Men started asking me how I did it. Rather than explain things, I told them to go to the gay clubs! Some asked me if I was gay. My answer? "Not yet!"
None of these new friends became girlfriends. I simply was afraid of killing the magic. The best part was I didn't need or want them to be my girlfriends! I wanted them as good friends, as my "dance family".
Much like how I had been accepted by the gay community. Not just accepted, but also shown how to be a better man. A much better man.
Then AIDS hit. The gay community shattered, everyone afraid of this devastating epidemic. Being an engineer, I learned the facts, and wasn't scared away. Soon my friends in that community started getting sick and dying. People who had worked so hard to craft their own society within a larger culture that rejected them. I wound up being the friend who would run errands, would visit, would be there every minute I could. My new "dance family" supported me, always reminding me to keep the music on and my legs moving.
I vividly remember the first time I was the only one there when a friend took his last breath. The grief and sadness gutted me, but was soon replaced by raging anger, that so many others were dying alone. So I went to my dance family and made the Big Ask: Join me. I then learned of PFLAG, and together we supported their efforts, especially their network that ensured nobody suffered or died hungry or alone.
Eventually that black tide passed and the healing began. The gay community, and culture, reasserted itself. But many of the gay clubs had gone broke, and the social scene was greatly reduced. For a while.
Seeing this ballroom video snapped me back to the exuberance I felt when I first danced in and with the gay community. That first viewing literally had me sitting on the edge of my seat, talking back to the video, shouting to the dancers: "You GO Girl!"
It also had me simultaneously laughing and crying. Today's beauty mixing with memories from nearly 40 years ago in ways I hadn't expected. Maybe few can feel what I felt, which may explain the low view count.
Nah. I still think it's a lack of exposure for this awesome video.
I never knew!!!!! the HA came from trading places WOW. Mindblown
I see you Jose X! 90s NYC house and ball scene was fire. Looks like the kids are still carrying.
That Moments in Love remix is 🔥🔥🔥. And having an understanding and appreciation for the crash makes it even more exciting to listen to.
Xonethsoul 1 i wish they would post the link to it I’ve been trying to find it forever
Um yeah. I’m looking now. I need that ASAP. I’ll post a link if successful.
amari binion soundcloud.com/djmikeq/the-moment
William Killington soundcloud.com/djmikeq/the-moment
Xonethsoul 1 THANK YOUUUUUU
Sorry Vice. PBS is better.
Pose brought me here. Nothing but respect ✊🏽
What really makes me love Sound Field is the thoughtful examination of culture that always accompanies the dissection of musical style. After watching this I feel, not necessarily smarter, but more connected to the people who share this world. There are elements and aspects of American life that are utterly foreign to me, completely outside of my experience, and I desperately want everyone to have that same realization.
These are exactly the things we spoke about when we started this series. When we first got together we just wrote on the board: FUN. But then we went further and decided we wanted to focus on history and the importance of culture in the music we listen to.
We all wish we could be Nahre sometimes and just sit on the floor and cuddle a doggo.
Such a cute pup
Love the fact that Art of Noise - Moments in love being remixed 8 minutes in.
The irony of Eddie Murphy being connected to the popular vogue track.
I think it's equally ironic that Dan Aykroyd in blackface is connected in any possible way to an actual black underground scene. What the hell is going on in Trading Places?
@Othniel McClinic yes it is a good movie I agree with you on that
I have been following Ballroom for 8 years and never knew where "The HA" came from! So thank you for that! Would love for you to feature the
Commentators that merge with the music & get the kids UP! Like
Kevin JV Prodigy, Selvin, Jack and a few more.
It's funny how I have been collecting vogue tracks since way back when and now it's all the rave. I am grateful to see the representation, familiarity, and joy exhibited in this coverage! Thank you PBS, this and Say It Loud are really IT!
One word
Fabulous
In every sense of that word!
I am most definitely an outsider to this culture but I am so, so glad that this exists, that there are places LIKE this, so that people who feel different can still feel safe and loved no matter what. I had no idea about this. And now I do know and I can try to find out if there are any in my own area and support them any way I can.
Yes Sonja that's so great!
Everybody in ballroom has out of this world talent, I'm so glad they got the spotlight! Also those puppies were killing me, too dang cute!
I am shocked. I thought you were going to talk about ballroom LOL I did not know this subcultural manifestation even exists (i am not American and do not live in America). I love it, now I can see how many of the mainstream music and even dancing has been influenced by ballroom. Great episode. LA was in the ZONE and Nahre was learning. Great job guys!!
We had so much fun! thanks for watching Gladys
It looks even more beautiful in slow motion.
It's GREAT to see people having fun! I needed this, it brought me up. Thank you.
That Art Of Noise crash track is wearing my hole OUT! Zang Tumb Tumb realness for $100, Alex!!!
Wow, I had never heard about this before. This is a very cool scene. Thanks LA and Nahre!
Ball culture is a place for black and Latino LGBTQI to come together in New York, they have their own space, where there is no prejudice or judgement, which they may encounter in other spaces like racism.
You should watch POSE on Netflix it’s sooooo good it’s nominated for multiple EMMYS!
NYCITY3 wasn’t that the Paradise Garage & The Loft???
That "Moments in Love" mix was hot.
ThatLadyDray Im trying to figure out where to find it
@@amaribalenciaga if you find out, please share the information bcuz I'd like to have it too
@@ThatLadyDray I found it for you soundcloud.com/djmikeq/the-moment
@@SoundFieldPBS Thank you! This is fire 🔥
That beat when you start revealing the structure under the beats, and we're like, damn.. oh daaamn. And then we're like, seeing it, and seeing ourselves as we're seeing it.., and we're like, goddam. Not only did you lay it down so it's immediately crystallizing, but you saw it in a screen of dots on the first damn beat.
That beat right there
That's what I love about this show.
I couldn't imagine this program working without you two and y'all's genius insights
8:45 It's kind of baffling that Nahre is such an open minded, talented and versatile musician but had never seen a DAW like fruityloops before. I had a similar experience with a young, classical schooled music scientist I had a conversation with, who didn't know what MIDI is. They really need to explain this stuff in music schools, I mean, no matter what kind of music you prefer, sequencing changed the artform as a whole in a biiiiig way.
EDIT: Love this video btw, and didn't want to sound mean or so. Actually love the whole channel!
shout out fruity loops.. and keep in mind that isn't the only recording software out there... once you learn the theory of DAWs you will understand all DAWs, they all work to do the same thing for the mix. this topic is very important for DJs and Producers today
What’s fruityloops?
Got here from PBS Space Time and watching this show since ep 1. I really love this concept, also the 'contrast' from the hosts. It's gettin' better and better each episode! Keep up the good work, greetings from The Netherlands!
I love the way Sound Field exposes me to all sorts of new genres/cultures. It's really fascinating and both of you (and your production crew) do such an awesome job :D
We appreciate it Joe! It’s a lot of fun for us too
Absolutely loved the episode.
Absolutely!
Omg thank u for this I love you two, your guests and whoever helps produce with y'all so much!!
I want y'all to know this has become one of my comfort watches, I throw this on when I want to pick myself up. Good mood food, if you will!
Sound Field is amazing. Thank you!
Wow this is so nice thanks for watching!
My goodness I love this channel soo much.
I haven’t missed an episode yet. Thank you so much for this Vogue/Ballroom history-music episode.
Thanks for watching ! We appreciate all the love
yasssss Dj delish popping off at 5:03
i’m so happy qweenbeat is finally getting the recognition they deserve
This is the one if the best videos that I've seen on subject of Vogue and Ballroom culture!
this is literally the best thing-good hosts, good music... wow!
That drop made the camera lens shake. Damn.
love this so much - I've learned about the ballroom scene before but this has given me the most in depth, and from a very interesting perspective. love the people you talked to, the explanations of certain vernacular that comes from ballroom, and the beautiful shots of the dancing.
Thanks so much for watching!
I aint goona lie...it looks fire
Yaaaassss!!! Thank you for this episode, I enjoyed it very much😍
That's amazing thanks for watching Filip
This was a really great episode. Why have I never heard of this?
It's slept on
Because they don't want straight people to steal or ruin it as their own
QWEEN BEATS!!!! I get ready for all of my super fun events while listening to your music, extra loud!!! It's OVAHHHHHH!!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR Artistry!!!
This was fantastic! Love learning about new things outside of my own little world. Especially when it comes to music and dance. This was my first episode, look forward to watching the rest!
Qween Beat deserves all the things!!!
THANK YOU FOR THIS EPSIODE!!!!!!
Omg thank you so much for this video!! I got invited to one last month and we had a fukn blast! That was soo much fun. The energy the vibes the TALENT in that room was unbelievable. So many legends in this video! MikeQ is the goat! Been listening to vogue beats ever since! The best! I want to be in one of those songs. Gets me so hyped loll
One of my favourite channels on one of my favourite topics plus amazing Mike Q, thank you guys.
What a fantastic episode! Thank you SO much!
Finally! Ballroom musics deserve more attention!
Nahre, grats on the PBS gig! This was great! Your other UA-cam channel is one of the very best out there, hands down!
I loved this so much! I love art forms, and dance is very expressive.
Wow, what great moments in love! This really shows an art of noise. Honestly, a fabulous scene and feature!
Thank you for bringing this inspirational and wonderful culture out to more audiences! Keep up the great work guys!
Thank you Jaizen!!!!!!
You kidding me ? Heard about vogue dancing yesterday. And today Sound Field uploads a video on it ? Awesome stuff
A mysterious world
i am LIVING for this. Good work guys
Thanks Aman!
This is awesome! Thank you for sharing this. I love all of your episodes but this one is the best!
Thank you Shanta! We worked really hard on it
Amazing episode. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!!!
You are the best!
This is such a wonderful series.
Amazing video! So well explained C:
Really well done, thanks.
Thank you for showing me something old is new. I love what you guys are doing here.
Don’t stop.
We appreciate you Dave
Love this episode - told the story so well.
I loved every minute of this video!!
So fabulous to watch!
I love this channel! Yall make videos that are so original and informative :^))
Love the sincere parting message, hope the music doesn't get exploited, these folks are wise they've seen how electronic dance culture gets used and thrown aside like how ghettotech and footwork was flavour of the month once upon a time.
This was absolutely amazing
WOWOWOW THANK YOU!!
I love u Mike Q!!!
Imaging vogueing and seeing nahre walk in
Sometimes I don’t understand UA-cam recommendations but when they get it right, they get it right it RIGHT!!
I’ve always looked ballroom tracks! Crazy energy!
Love this channel 🤌🏾😮💨
Enjoyed this!😍😍😍😘😘Thanks for posting!😉
I love New York. So much culture that reaches and inspires others worldwide and it just grows. The respect for the culture is so rich here I love it truly.
This was so interesting and so well shot! Amazing
Really enjoying this series. I had no idea this scene even existed. Thanks for introducing me to this fabulous sub culture.
Really glad you are enjoying it. You’re welcome!
"Merry New Year!"
"Happy New Year - In this country we say Happy New Year" 😂
I love this show!
I loved this! Now I wish someday I'll be able to travel to NY and experience the ballroom scene for myself.
Perhaps there's a local ball scene in your area!
Sound Field, I’ll definitely look for it!
6:45 Art of Noise Samples. Adam Neely used them in his last vid too.
Charli XCX also sampled them in her first mixtape SUPER ULTRA MIXTAPE. soundcloud.com/charlixcx/charli-xcx-moments-in-love-art The track is called Moments In Love
So where is the beat they played in the video?
@@amaribalenciaga soundcloud.com/djmikeq
@soundfield i know it’s by mike p lol i wanted to know the specific name of the beat so i Can practice to it
@@amaribalenciaga soundcloud.com/djmikeq/the-moment Here you go!
Yaaaaaaaaas omg loved this episode! Def one of my all time favs! So glad yall did this finally! Would love to see a future episode maybe talking more on EDM music and looking into the gloving dance scene with it??? All in all, can't wait to see what's next!
CJ you’re a real one! Thanks for watching and all your support
This. Is. Amazing.
Every time I see these videos I’m like am i the only person with knees like this? Like it makes my knees pop just looking at this video
My favorite episode yet! As much as I love horror, this is the content I love to see!
EJ glad you're still watching! You would've loved to be on scene with us
lit ! I love this!!