Hype around house music: 1980s genre reverberates with Gen Z

Oscar Bill and Henry Gardner

September 30, 2025

Hype around house music: 1980s genre reverberates with Gen Z

Lately, house music seems unavoidable. Whenever a Burlingame student has control over the music, the genre’s signature high-energy beats are likely to echo through sports practices, car rides, and hangouts. While house music is undeniably popular, it leaves people wondering, why is Generation Z listening to a 40-year-old music genre?

For sophomore Antoinette Zeidan, house music serves as an escape from academic and social pressures. Zeidan said the genre’s consistent beats help relieve her stress.

Gen Z’s love for house music isn’t exclusive to Burlingame. Across social media platforms, videos show college students listening to the genre at parties, athletes using it in the background of highlight reels, DJs catering to Gen Z, and advertisements for house music festivals across the country.

The statistics reflect this pattern. According to Product London, an audio production company that specializes in house music, 45% of house music’s listeners in 2024 were between the ages of 18 and 24. Senior Garret Wang fits that trend, calling house music is an integral part of his day.

“[House music] is something that I listen to especially in the morning, when I’m kind of tired or at night when I do my homework and I want to be very productive,” Wang said.

For Leo Lipsztein, a former professional DJ, house music has been a part of his life for years. He grew up going to clubs, attending concerts, and visiting record stores in New York City.

“I really loved going to record stores and just listening to whatever was there. And that was sort of my introduction to it,” Lipsztein said. “Just, organically, learning about it from friends, and then seeking it out myself.”

While Lipsztein’s generation will always be a part of the house music scene, he said the future of the genre will be pioneered by today’s youth.

“I’ll say it’s always been young people. You know, it’s a nightlife, going out. It’s dancing and that’s what you do in your 20s,” Lipsztein said.

Beginner DJ Grayson Howard is attempting to turn his passion for house music into a part-time career, creating the genre he loves.

Greyson Howard

Every day, “J.A.W.S” by Lxury blares out of the speakers attached to senior Grayson Howard’s DJ deck. For Howard, it’s more than a song — it’s the soundtrack to his latest hobby.

“I’ve played the same song like 100 times, just to figure out what everything does and how to mix and how to do all the stuff good DJs know how to do,” Howard said. “With that practice came a lot of the same song and same mixes, so my parents are probably pretty tired of it by now.”

While DJing may be new to Howard, house music certainly isn’t. Howard said he has been a fan for three years, ever since discovering the genre while golfing.

“[House music] helps me focus, it definitely helped me focus on the golf course, and I’ve listened ever since,” Howard said. “When I’m trying to lock in, or do a sport, or something like that, it just boosts the mood.”

Howard said that after he noticed people ignoring the music at parties, he saw an opportunity to play music more engagingly.

“I figured it would be a good idea to have the full setup of a DJ board, and have people come up and suggest songs,” Howard said. “It’s kind of more inclusive with people, especially at parties, it includes people in the music process.”

Beginner DJ Grayson Howard is attempting to turn his passion for house music into a part-time career, creating the genre he loves. (Oscar Bill)

Alex Donati

For Alex Donati, a Burlingame alumna, house music isn’t just a hobby; it’s a way to connect people and bring them together.

Donati, a firefighter and professional DJ based in Los Angeles, began her music journey at Burlingame, where she created mixes for school sporting events by downloading songs off of LimeWire. In college, she realized music could become a profession.

“I graduated from BHS in ‘09 and went to Arizona State, and I went to my first party and I was like “This music is absolutely trash.” Like I can do better.” Donati said.

After this, she bought her own decks and began creating music, eventually landing an internship at Bay Area radio station Wild 94.9. From there, she picked up gigs at local bars, performed at Pride events, and even opened for artists like Mac Miller —all while working as a firefighter and going through paramedic school. Donati said her favorite part of music is bringing people together, recalling a moment when she was DJing and the audience started singing with her.

“I don’t care where you’re from,” Donati said. “I don’t care how you voted, I don’t care what you’re thinking right now. Over the next three minutes and twelve seconds, you and I are going to be on the same page.”

Burlingame alumna and professional DJ Alex Donati uses music as a way to bring people together, regardless of who they are. (Photo courtesy of Alex Donati)

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About the Contributors

Oscar Bill, Staff Reporter

Oscar Bill is a senior at Burlingame and this is his first year at the Burlingame B. He is excited to be involved with school journalism and is looking to hone in his writing skills as the year progresses. He is interested in sports, local events and world news. Outside of Journalism, he plays lacrosse and enjoys spending time with his friends.

Henry Gardner, Managing Editor

Henry Gardner is a senior at Burlingame and a third-year journalism student. He is excited to be one of the managing editors at the B this year, and enjoys writing articles about a variety of topics. In his free time, Henry enjoys photography, working out, and spending time with his friends.