[2][3] It combines repetitive, looped vocal snippets similar to trap, bounce, ghetto house and ghettotech .
The instrumental tracks include heavy breakbeats and call and response stanzas[4] similar to those found in the go-go music of neighboring city Washington, D.C.
[citation needed] Other UK breakbeat tracks cited by Baltimore DJs as influential include "On 33" by Stereo MC's, the "State of Mind" EP by Is That It, and "Hoovers & Spray Cans" by Mark One.
[5][6] In the mid-2000s, the genre gained crossover popularity in Baltimore's rock underground due to dance nights at venues such as the Talking Head Club.
[11] Dark City Beneath the Beat, a documentary featuring Baltimore club music, was released on streaming platforms in August 2020.
Throughout the city, dance crews battled against each other at recreation centers and nightclubs, and music from famous disc jockeys was at its peak.
Another dance move that evolved out of Baltimore club music was the “what what”, involving footwork where one raises up one bent leg over the other, in a fast, hopping-like movement.
A video featuring girls wearing face coverings while doing versions of the "crazy legs" and the "what what" to a remix of Miss Tony's "How You Wanna Carry It" entitled "Put Your Mask On" went viral in April 2020.
[14] During its peak, Baltimore club DJs received international recognition and were featured on the records of major artists.