groove
A compelling rhythmic feel that makes music move and makes listeners want to dance.
In Depth
Groove is one of the most important concepts in popular music, yet one of the hardest to define precisely. It emerges from the interaction between rhythmic elements — the way a drummer locks in with a bassist, the subtle push and pull of timing, the emphasis of certain beats and the relaxation of others. A good groove feels inevitable and irresistible.
Scientists have studied groove using brain imaging and found that it activates the motor regions of the brain — the same areas that control movement. This explains why groove literally makes you want to move. The concept exists across genres: funk has groove (James Brown), jazz has swing (Count Basie), samba has ginga (its characteristic sway). All describe the same phenomenon — a rhythmic pattern that generates physical momentum.
James Brown's drummer Clyde Stubblefield created the Funky Drummer beat in 1970 — it became the most sampled drum break in history, appearing in over 1,000 hip-hop tracks.