Freestyle had a large following in the late 80's and early 90's throughout the Greater Toronto Area catering originally to the Italian and Greek population, although ultimately accepted by large from the city's vast multi-cultural base. Freestyle was prominent in all ages venues and various Toronto nightclubs that would also showcase House Music. Canadians also invented their own term for the music called 'gino beats'. The fans of this music in Toronto were often referred to as 'ginos' (males) and 'ginas' (females). They often grew up in the 905 region. The term was not used in a derogatory sense such as 'guido' in America, but more a description of a Toronto male or female with a certain style (interest in fashion) and taste in music (Freestyle & House), and the behavior of blasting House music or Freestyle music while driving with the windows down, to try and attract the attention of females. By the mid nineties this market had moved almost completely to House music as their club music of choice. Lil Suzy released several 12" singles at the time, that became immensely popular amongst the youth population in Toronto. She ultimately performed live on Electric Circus, a popular Canadian live dance music television program.
I love it! I'll be the first to admit it. I am a Gino. I loved freestyle back in the day and wish I still had my 12" copies of Stevie B, Trinere, Debbie Deb & Shannon. All I wore in highschool was tracksuits (I still have my prized Kappa tracksuit folded in my closet). I play soccer. I played "gits" in school...and love house music....I think I still have an accent lol.
They need to be more specific though in this article. By "905" they mean Woodbridge...and they need to add "while driving their Z28 with the windows down and seat reclined 75 degrees." Woodbridge is a special place. Not to long ago I visited a LCBO and saw a convertible Ferrari parked on a "45" in a handicap spot. I saw to "Ginos" come out and get in there car. Both didn't look handicapped but they were definitely special...
Well unfortunately I was still too young to drive around with the windows down when Stevie B released his first album. Fortunately though he was still popular by the time I was able to drive around in my parents Caprice Classic and head up to Wasaga beach a very popular destination for the "905"
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| Stevie B - Spring Love |
Anyhow. Here is my top 10 selection of must have "Gino beats..."
1. Spring Love - Stevie B
2. When I Hear Music - Debbie Deb
3. Diamond Girl - Nice and Wild
4. Lookout Weekend - Debbie Deb
5. Take Me In Your Arms - Lil' Suzy
6. I'm Hooked On You - Sweet Sensation
7. Let The Music Play - Shannon
8. I'll Be All You'll even Need - Trinere
9. Party Your Body - Stevie B
10. Summertime Summertime - Nocera
Well ok...one more:
11. Silent Morning - Noel
I am gonna go and see if I can find some old footage from Electric Circus...that show was the best!
Your wrong. .. there was no 905 area back then... and the music came grom latino La... Toronto adapted the sound because there was nothing but Rock on the radio at that time.. Euro people in Toronto were the only ones listening to this music. The city was really diferent back then.. . Now there is nothing close to what this city was . .
ReplyDeleteFirst I didn't populate the wikipedia website and there reference of "freestyle music in Canada." I think the writers reference to the "905" is just to illustrate to the reader the region, as it is known today. Also the article does not suggest that freestyle originated in Toronto. It just talking about Freestyle music "in" Canada.
ReplyDeleteI grew up on Islington between Steeles and Finch right dead center. A lot of Latinos Portuguese Italian Greek listen to Freestyle. We saw a lot of the Gino's in our area driving around in their Mustangs and their Camaros in their GTOs Fieros, RX7s, And more. They had glaring the music and it was fun cuz it was part of the culture. Loved those sound systems pounding bass.
ReplyDeleteYou're going to get variations all over the US and Canada of what we call a Gino and a Gina. Hell they even had Caribbean East Indian and black Geno's if you will. There really was no limit it's just a matter who you hung with. Then at the clubs in Branson and Mississauga Gino's would fight the Preps that was always what was going around cuz I just think it's hilarious talking about this. But hey we didn't have all the distractions of today and I'm writing this in 2023 so the perspective is even grander
I remember the hairstyles we used to call them wings like angel wings all that hairspray it was insane the tight jeans that Ralph Macho look some of them look like Michael Jackson seem to have a lot of different evolutions of style.
It was a lot of attitude that went with that as well and Swagger. I feel privileged to have grown up with all those musically people and everyone trying to identify themselves and trying to fit in and figure out what the heck they're trying to portray. I'm glad you wrote this.
There's lots of freestyle music that comes to mind the list could be way better than top 10 but it's a good start. I will add
In a Dream by Rockel
Inside Outside by the Cover Girl's
Sending All My Love by Linear
Can You Feel The Beat by Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam
I'm trying to find videos of the dance moves and can't anywhere. Does anyone have some links?
ReplyDelete