A Short History of Deep House Music (But a Bit Longer Than Just a Note)

By DJ Bogdan Karasiov | wareHOUSE Music | 23 Apr 2025

Why Deep House Is Not Just Music, But a Whole Vibey Philosophy
Alright, let’s be real: Deep House isn’t just a genre you blast at a party to get the girls swaying smoothly and the dudes nodding thoughtfully. It’s music that creeps under your skin, like that evening breeze on an Ibiza beach when you’re sitting with a glass of chilled prosecco, thinking, “Damn, life’s a vibe.” But where did this vibe come from? Why did Deep House become the soundtrack for the souls of those who love mixing chill with drive? And how did a genre born in the stuffy clubs of Chicago end up ruling playlists from Kyiv to Cape Town? This post isn’t just a tour through Deep House history. It’s an attempt to figure out how a bunch of dudes with vinyls and drum machines created a sound that makes us feel free. And yeah, I promised a “short” history, but you know how it goes: when you dig into something truly dope, stopping is impossible. So when we talk about music that changed club culture forever, brace yourself—I might get carried away and write a bit more than a “short history.”

* Spoiler: If you think Deep House is just “boom-boom” with a soft bass, you haven’t heard what real groove is yet.
Origins: Chicago, the ‘80s, and the Dudes Who Invented “House”
To get Deep House, you gotta teleport to Chicago in the ‘80s. Picture this: America’s still recovering from the disco boom of the ‘70s, clubs are packed, but the radio’s full of pop and rock. Meanwhile, in Chicago’s Black neighborhoods, where gay folks, Latinos, and just people who love dancing till dawn hang out, something new is born. This was the era when DJs like Frankie Knuckles (later dubbed the “godfather of house”) and Ron Hardy started mixing old disco tracks with fresh electronic beats. They grabbed Roland TR-808 and TR-909 drum machines, threw in a fat bass, and made music that had clubs literally exploding.

The word “house” itself came from the Warehouse club in Chicago, where Frankie Knuckles spun his sets. People didn’t just go there to party—they went to feel unity. In the ‘80s, club culture was a refuge for those society pushed away: nonconformists, African Americans, immigrants. And house music became their voice. It was the rhythm of freedom, where 120–130 beats per minute (BPM) set the pulse of the night.

But Deep House isn’t just house. If regular house was about energy and drive (like “dance till you drop”), Deep House dug deeper. It was about emotions, about atmosphere. DJs like Larry Heard and Mr. Fingers started adding soul, jazz, and even gospel to their tracks. Their tunes didn’t just pump the dancefloor—they told stories. For example, Larry Heard’s “Can You Feel It” (1986) is a Deep House classic, with soft bass, tender synths, and gospel vocals that make you feel like you’re soaring into space while standing barefoot at home with a cup of coffee.
The ‘90s: Deep House Goes to Europe and Becomes Global
In the ‘90s, house music started traveling the world, and Deep House went along for the ride. If Chicago was the heart of house, New York became its soul. Clubs like Paradise Garage and DJs like Larry Levan added even more soul and funk to Deep House. The New York style was more melodic, with a focus on vocals and live instruments. Tracks like “Beautiful People” (1994) by Barbara Tucker are the quintessence of New York Deep House: deep bass, soulful vocals, and a vibe that makes you want to hug everyone on the dancefloor.

But the real breakthrough happened when Deep House hit Europe. In the UK, where rave culture was already in full swing, Deep House adapted to local vibes. British DJs like Sasha and John Digweed started mixing Deep House with progressive house, creating long, atmospheric sets that were perfect for festivals and underground parties. Meanwhile, in France, the so-called French Touch was born—a mix of Deep House with disco and funk. The duo Daft Punk drew inspiration from Deep House in their early work (like the album Homework, 1997), adding a French chic to it.

Europe gave Deep House a new breath. If in Chicago it was music for underground clubs, in Europe it started playing at big festivals and even in trendy cafés. Tracks like “Gypsy Woman” (1991) by Crystal Waters became anthems not just for clubs but for radio stations too. And though that track leans closer to classic house, its soulful vibe and soft rhythm influenced Deep House’s development.
The 2000s: Deep House Goes Mainstream (And It Kinda Ruins the Vibe)
By the early 2000s, Deep House started losing its underground charm because it got too popular. Imagine: what was once music for the chosen few now plays in every other lounge bar. DJs like David Guetta and Calvin Harris started mixing Deep House with pop music, and while it brought the genre a massive audience, a lot of fans (like me, I confess) started whining that “real Deep House is dead.”

But it wasn’t all bad. The 2000s saw new Deep House heroes who kept the faith. South African DJ Black Coffee brought African rhythms and percussion to the genre, making tracks that sounded fresh yet classic. His album Subconsciously (2021) is proof that Deep House can be modern without losing its soul. And Brit Jamie Jones with his label Hot Creations brought Deep House back to its club roots, adding techno vibes and basslines that make the dancefloor shake. Around this time, Deep House started splitting into subgenres:

Soulful House: Focused on vocals and soul (like tracks by Osunlade).
Tech House: More minimalist and techno-driven (Jamie Jones, Solardo).
Afro House: With African rhythms and percussion (Black Coffee, Shimza).
Electro House: This is when Deep House decided to party with EDM and took steroids. Fat synths, aggressive drops, and energy that makes the dancefloor explode. Pioneers like Deadmau5 or Justice showed in the 2000s how Electro House could be both clubby and radio-friendly. Deadmau5’s “Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff” is a classic that rocked everyone from ravers to schoolkids. Among active artists now, I’d highlight Hardwell as the best in the subgenre (but that’s just my personal opinion).
Bass House: A dirtier, bass-heavy cousin of Deep House. It’s all about low frequencies that hit so hard your sneakers fly off. Tchami and Malaa invented this vibe, and Tchami’s “Promesses” is when you want the bass to just crush you.
Future House: This is Deep House peeking into the future, grabbing pop melodies and EDM drops. Don Diablo and Oliver Heldens made Future House a festival favorite. Oliver Heldens’ “Gecko” is when you’re dancing but also singing because the melody sticks in your head forever.
Tropical House: The poppiest subgenre, which took over every playlist in the 2010s. Soft beats, summery vibes, and melodies like you’re on a beach with a coconut. Kygo and Thomas Jack are the main culprits, and Kygo’s “Firestone” is when you close your eyes and picture yourself in Bali, even if you’re stuck in a minibus.
Melodic House: This is when Deep House gets maximally emotional and cinematic. Melodies take the lead, and the bass just underscores the drama. Lane 8 and Yotto create tracks that sound like the soundtrack to your life. For example, Lane 8’s “No Captain” is when you listen and think, “Damn, why am I not shooting an arthouse film?”
Progressive House: This is when Deep House decided to play epic soundtracks for space journeys. Long build-ups, heart-wrenching melodies, and beats that feel like they’re guiding you through the galaxy. Sasha, John Digweed, and later Eric Prydz set the tone for this genre. Eric Prydz’s “Opus” is when you listen for 8 minutes, and every second feels like the finale of a blockbuster. Progressive House isn’t just music—it’s when you close your eyes on the dancefloor and imagine yourself as a movie hero, even if you’re just a dude with a beer in hand.
Industrial House: This is when Deep House wandered into a dark alley and hung out with techno and industrial. Harsh, metallic beats, synths that sound like they’re from an abandoned factory, and bass that hits like a hammer. It’s music for those who dance in a leather jacket under neon lights. Artists like Amelie Lens (though she’s more techno) or ANNA sometimes play with these vibes. ANNA’s “Hidden Beauties” is when you feel like the dancefloor is a post-apocalyptic arena, and you’re loving it.
Experimental House: This is Deep House saying, “Screw your rules!” and mixing everything from jazz to ambient and the sound of rain. There are no boundaries: you might hear a creaking door or vocals recorded in a bathroom. Artists like Floating Points or Four Tet create tracks that feel more like audio art than club bangers. For example, Floating Points’ “Kuiper” is when you don’t know whether to dance or meditate, but you love it anyway.
wareHOUSE: A mix of Deep House and Eurodance, sometimes with hints of Industrial and Afro House, pioneered in 2024 by DJ Bogdan Karasiov—that’s me. The style is still in development, but it has the potential to become a house gem of the 2020s.

These subgenres helped Deep House stay diverse, even when the mainstream tried to “tame” it.

The 2010s: Deep House and the EDM Boom
The 2010s were the era when Deep House fully became part of pop culture but also faced criticism from fans. On one hand, tracks like “Waves” (2012) by Mr. Probz or “How Deep Is Your Love” (2015) by Calvin Harris and Disciples made Deep House accessible to the masses. These tracks—melodic, with soft bass and pop vocals—were in every Spotify playlist and at every party. But purists said this wasn’t Deep House anymore—it was “tropical house” or “pop house.” On the other hand, the underground Deep House scene thrived. Labels like Defected Records and DJs like Kerri Chandler or Dennis Ferrer kept releasing tracks that preserved the Chicago ‘80s spirit. For example, Kerri Chandler’s “Atmosphere” (1994, but re-released in the 2010s) is a classic that reminds us Deep House is about depth, not loudness. In the 2010s, Deep House also became a favorite for remixes. Artists took pop songs and reworked them into Deep House styles, adding soft beats and atmospheric pads. For example, Tiësto’s remix of Alan Walker’s “Faded” is a case of how Deep House can make a pop track more “clubby.”

The 2020s: Deep House in the World of TikTok and Lockdowns
When the 2020 lockdowns hit, Deep House got a new boost. People stuck at home were looking for music that helped them relax without driving them into depression. And Deep House fit perfectly: its soft rhythms and melodies created a vibe like you’re at a party, even if you’re sitting in pajamas on the couch. Streamers on Twitch and YouTube started using Deep House as background for their broadcasts, and TikTok jumped on the trend, with short snippets of Deep House tracks going viral. In the 2020s, new names shook up the game. For example, Keinemusik, a German collective, mixes Deep House with techno and Afro rhythms. Their track “Muye” (2021) is an example of how modern Deep House can be both clubby and atmospheric. And Ukrainian DJs like Miss Monique added progressive vibes to the genre, making sets that rock both festivals and house parties.
Why Deep House Is Still Alive Now, in 2025, Deep House is more than a genre. It’s a lifestyle. It’s music for those who love the balance between chill and drive, between reflection and euphoria. Here are a few reasons why Deep House hasn’t lost its magic:

Versatility: Deep House sounds dope in a club, in headphones, or at a beach party.
Emotional Depth: Unlike aggressive techno or poppy EDM, Deep House is about feelings. It can be melancholic, joyful, or nostalgic.
Community: Deep House brings people together. From underground parties in Berlin to festivals like Tomorrowland, this genre creates a sense of unity.

Conclusion: Deep House Is Forever Deep House has traveled from Chicago’s underground clubs to stadium festivals and TikTok trends. It’s changed, adapted, sometimes gotten too poppy, but never lost its soul. This is music that reminds us you can be calm and energetic, sad and happy at the same time. And in 2025, when the world throws new challenges, Deep House remains the soundtrack that keeps us going. So if you’re not in the know yet, crank up a set by Kerri Chandler or Keinemusik, pour a glass of something cold, and feel the vibe. And if you’re already a fan, drop in the comments which Deep House track has been hitting you lately. Maybe I’ll add it to my playlist.

Zae 🐰 Bis' (Teaser 2) - DJ Bogdan Karasiov feat Aurora (2025 wareHOUSE Original Track)