EDM is an umbrella term
/Magnetic Mag posted this about electronic dance music (EDM) in a recent post and this is how this site also views the term that has, in my opinion, garnered an unfair amount of negativity:
EDM – it is an acronym for an umbrella term: Electronic Dance Music. That is all. It is not a sub genre. The usage of the term goes all the way back to the 1990s (even the respected Resident Advisor has used “electronic dance music” to describe the sound evolving out of 1980s Chicago), but it has become more popular as of late as the boom reaches critical mass. So when the bro yells “it’s not EDM, bro” or when the hipster snidely remarks “I don’t listen to EDM, only house and minimal-gabber-tech” they are both doing it wrong. We agree, it should be used sparingly when talking about the culture as a whole. While house music falls under the term “EDM”, if you’re talking specifically about house music, refer to it as house music. If we all take the time to know and educate each other on the history of the genres, EDM will no longer be an issue. (Click here to read the full story)
EDM is an umbrella term to include the underground and mainstream music sub-genres alike. It's not a genre, and it frankly puzzles me whenever I see major voices in the scene misuse the term so generously. So spread the word, tell your friends, there are plenty of people who get it, but there should be more. We'll get there, but let this post be a good starting point.