First of all, I want to make it clear that this is my opinion and my opinion alone. Secondly, this is MY personal experience and a tik tok that is 47 seconds long is NOT gonna have much nuance in it so just keep that in mind.
As someone who went to college in NYC back in 2013-2017, nightlife has significantly changed. Obviously, I know it’s because the world has changed, too. “Back in my day”, you could quite casually go into a bar or club – maybe wait in line and MAYBE pay a cover as a girl – and just d a n c e. I wasn’t going to a bar like No Fun or Fat Baby because I came across what DJ I liked and wanted to go because they were playing there. I went to those places because I liked the music and knew it was gonna be a good time with variety.
Nowadays, with the chokehold that house and techno has, you are confined to nights out based on what DJ is playing where or what kind of music night a venue is hosting. Even saying venue means something different – I feel like I am going to EDM concerts vs just dancing to music at a place. This is great for DJs who aren’t the uber famous, mainstream ones, so I acknowledge the benefit there. The scene has just changed and I’m a little bit disgruntled but trust me, I’ll live!
Anyway, here’s the tik tok that has gone viral (for someone like me who’s really not as online in comparison to most) and me fighting for my life in the comments.
@swataytay I cannot live like this!! 😩 don’t tell me there’s all these hidden gems in neighborhoods - I know! I’m saying this should be the default bc the majority of NYC is black and brown so cater to US lol #nycnightlife #nycnights #housemusic #technomusic #clubbing #nyc #whitewashed ♬ original sound - Swati Chakraborty
People have made good points but I still believe I spoke some truth, too. House and techno indeed was started by black folks. However, I personally believe that it is SO popular due to white people being obsessed with it that it IS the majority of options in NYC nightlife.
If you’re reading this, please drop a line with bars/clubs and djs! I am going to see DJ Arinee at Silo this weekend and then going to a Laylit party at Elsewhere next.