Hands Up

Note: This page is about the German musical style that combines Eurodance, Techno and Trance. For the lesser-known subgenre of Breakcore called "Dancecore", see Breakcore.

Hands Up (stylized as Handz Up! or Handsup), sometimes also known as Dancecore, is a style of music that was popular in Germany from the mid-2000s to early 2010s, combining characteristics from genres such as Eurodance, Techno and Trance with minor influences from Happy Hardcore, Jumpstyle and Hardstyle^[1]. Musically, it is characterized by its strong and dynamic rhythm, melodies and strong bases. The songs almost always have lyrics, differencing it from typical Hardcore Techno songs.

Some of the most well-known Hands Up artists include Manian, ItaloBrothers, Basshunter and DJ Gollum. The genre was most popular in multiple European countries such as Germany, Poland, Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands. The genre was also well acclaimed in the United Kingdom, often getting mixed with UK Hardcore.

History[]

Emergence and Prime (Late 1990s-Early 2010s)[]

Hands Up music began to emerge in the late 1990s/early 2000s in Germany as a blend of various musical influences, most notably Trance. During the mid-late 2000s it became a more solidified style marked by a mix of different genres; including Eurodance, Trance, Techno, Hi-NRG and various other styles. German artists like Rob Mayth, Cascada, Groove Coverage, Special D, Klubbingman, and Manian notably contributed to its popularization. The genre was initially popular in German radios during the mid-late 2000s, although its presence later began to decline.

Throughout the decade, it was a constantly evolving style. Despite the fact it came to be excluded from radios, it became one of the most popular musical genres in its home country and also on the internet, since many songs were uploaded to websites like YouTube and Technobase.fm. Other music-focused websites based in Germany such as Dancecharts.de also hosted Hands Up music tops.

Decline (Early 2010s-Early 2020s)[]

Later on, musical artists such as Manian, Dan Winter, Empyre One, Ti-Mo or Giorno began making Hands Up remixes of popular pre-existing songs. The emphasis on remixes led to less songs being created, and the Hands Up music scene began to actively decline in popularity due to its lack of new, fresh or original content. The scene nowadays is mostly inactive since the early 2010s^[2], although musical artists such as DJ Spyroof continue making Hands Up songs.

Resurgence (Early 2020s)[]

With the rise of 2000s nostalgia, Hands Up music also regained some visibility in social media sites such as TikTok in 2023 and 2024, when songs such as Tricky Disco by Discotronic or Kiss Me Again by ROY BEE began to be used for video trends. This created a renewed interest for this style, and it inspired some musicians in the Wixa, Hyperpop, Scene, and Krushclub music scenes.

Political Controversy[]

Its resurgence however, wasn't completely a good thing. Some far-right TikTok users and political extremists appropriated the songs by calling them "Aryan Classics" and using them^[3] in "Hyperborean" aesthetic edits, which promote concepts like Neo-Nazism or the "great white replacement" conspiracy theory.

The exact reason why this happened remains unknown, but most Hands Up songs tend to be about simple concepts like love, unity, partying and having fun (in fact, one popular slogan among Hands Up fans is "We aRe oNe"), which is pretty much incompatible with hateful political ideologies. It would also go against the ethos of Rave culture.

Visuals[]

Much like the mid-late 2000s era itself, Hands Up music often presents a futuristic style both in its sound and cover artworks. The lyrics and visuals often revolve around themes of partying, nightlife, unity and celebration. The cover arts can also be noted for their use of vibrant, neon color. This represents the upbeat and energetic nature of the music itself. Like other music genres such as Disco Polo, some Hands Up album compilations are released with cover arts with a style highly resemblant to Frutiger Metro.

Music videos often feature choreographed dance routines, emphasizing the genre's connection to dancing and having fun. While some may find it controversial, a recurring visual theme in Hands Up music videos and cover art is women wearing revealing outfits, like bikinis or bandages, though explicit nudity is never shown.

Clubland, a brand created by the British dance record labels All Around the World and Universal Music TV, is often cited for its music compilation albums and dance charts that include Hands Up as well as other genres such as House, Eurodance and Trance. The cover arts for these albums align with the general aesthetic and sometimes might slightly resemble Frutiger Metro.

Music[]

Hands Up is characterized by a fast tempo, typically ranging from 140 to 160 beats per minute (BPM), and uplifting melodies often featuring catchy, synthesized melodies and vocal samples. Hands Up songs usually follow a simple verse-chorus-verse-chorus pattern and incorporate repetitive elements, making it easy to dance to and sing along with. The genre is known for its energetic sound, designed to get people moving and create a positive atmosphere.

Hands Up in itself is not a musical genre but a style of Electronic Dance Music heavily influenced by Eurodance, Trance, and Happy Hardcore, and it often incorporates a few elements of Pop music, such as catchy vocals and sing-along choruses. Classifying it as one of these four genres can be complicated since it presents elements of them all. While its popularity peaked in the mid-late 2000s, Hands Up still has a dedicated fanbase and continues to be produced by artists worldwide.