Chicago house is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the early 1980s in Chicago. It is characterized by its repetitive beats, synthesized melodies, and use of samples from disco and funk music. The genre played a significant role in the development of the broader house music movement. The sound of Chicago house often features a 4/4 time signature, with a prominent bassline and drum machine rhythms. Key figures in the genre include Frankie Knuckles and Larry Heard, who helped shape its distinctive style. Chicago house has influenced many other genres, including techno and deep house.