Washington, D.C. is synonymous with politics. Black tie here, red tie there, navy suit everywhere. But as we’ve discussed before, the city behind the white-columned buildings that garner most of the attention has plenty of gems to uncover. Among those is the musical history of the city that produced a wide range of musicians, ranging from John Philip Sousa to Duke Ellington to Thievery Corporation.

We have put together a list of 32 singles that have defined the surprisingly diverse D.C. music scene, which even created its own genre of music that remains a D.C. secret today: Go-Go (you can get a sample of this genre from Chuck Brown, Junk Yard Band, Rare Essence and Backyard Band below).

Going in chronological order…

1886–John Philip Sousa: Stars and Stripes Forever

1888–John Philip Sousa: Semper Fidelis

1931–Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington: In A Sentimental Mood (featuring John Coltrane)

1931–Duke Ellington: It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)

1932–Duke Ellington: Sophisticated Lady

1939–Duke Ellington: Take the “A” Train

1973–Roberta Flack: Killing Me Softly

1974–Roberta Flack: Feel Like Making Love

1978–Chuck Brown: Bustin’ Loose

1986–Junk Yard Band: Sardines

1987–Chuck Brown: It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Don’t Got That Go-Go Swing)

1993–Rare Essence: Work the Walls

1994–Junk Yard Band: Loose Booty

1995–Questionmark Asylum: Hey Lookaway

1998–Rare Essence: Overnight Scenario

1998–Thievery Corporation: Lebanese Blonde

2000–R.E.U.B.: All My Peoples (download)

2001–Backyard Band: Pretty Girls

2003–Thievery Corporation: Richest Man in Babylon

2003–Thievery Corporation: Until the Morning

2005–Deep Dish: Say Hello

2007–K-Beta: I Read (download)

2008–Mambo Sauce: Welcome to D.C.

2008–SOJA: Rest Of My Life

2009–Raheem DeVaughn: Bulletproof (featuring Ludacris)

2009–R.E.U.B. (feat. John Mayer): Waiting On the World to Change (Remix)

2009–R.E.U.B.: All I Know That’s Real (download)

2009–SOJA: Here I Am

2009–SOJA: I Don’t Wanna Wait

2009–Wale: Chillin’ (featuring Lady Gaga)

2010–Wale: Pretty Girls (featuring Backyard Band)

2011–Thievery Corporation: Culture of Fear (featuring Mr. Lif)

My ID: 14 October 1979; Fairfax Hospital; Falls Church, VA

My Initial Descent into the East Coast was certainly unique among all of my Initial Descents, because it was also my Initial Descent into Earth.

Tired after MyID

I was born in northern Virginia, smack dab in the middle of the East Coast. I don’t think anyone can honestly say they remember any details about their first few years, and the same goes for me. But according to the Baby Book my parents were so thoughtful to keep, it seems as though my first impressions of life on the East Coast were good—enough food, candy, cartoons, playgrounds and friendly neighbors to keep any kid happy.

Big Bro’s first look

But when it comes to the Initial Descent spirit of tracking people’s first impressions of a culture and the people they encounter within it, you’ll have to ask someone else when it comes to the East Coast. Or better yet, share your story—we’d love to hear it!