It might seem like a European phenomenon, but the early roots of EDM were in fact started by black movements in Chicago and Detroit.
Before Chicago house or Detroit techno, musicians like Afrika Bambaataa were expanding upon soul and funk roots to produce electronically experimental music. His influence gave way to the development of electronic dance music in the ’80s, and eventually, the brand of EDM that has become so popular today. See if you can hear the progression in the videos below.
Afrika Bambaataa – “Planet Rock”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh1AypBaIEk
Frankie Knuckles – “The Whistle Song (Radio Edit)”
Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna – “This Is What You Came For”