QandAs: Buzz

What is Emo?

Answer:
Emo commonly refers to a style of music

and by extension a general subculture and fashion style associated with that music. Emo has roots that start in the 1980’s but has only become plainly visible in more mainstream culture since the early 2000’s.

Emo arose out of punk music groups geographically located in Washington DC. Emo stands for “emotional” and was distinguished in the beginning with its emotionally charged lyrics that often lamented negative and difficult experiences. Emo was distinguished musically with incorporation of more guitar, a slightly slower tempo than other types of punk and a slightly heavier focus on melody.

Emo culture is seen as a counter cultural movement. Emo fashion features tight jeans and T-shirts, dyed hair, thick, studded belts and lots of black.