Turn the Music Up! WoOo Dubstep
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Looking for some new tunes to get your blood pumping? Then check out our latest blog post, featuring a roundup of the best dubstep tracks to turn up the volume on!
What is Dubstep?
Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in South London in the late 1990s. It is characterized by a sparse, syncopated rhythmic style and frequently features distorted basslines, vocal samples, and synthesizers.
Origins of Dubstep
Dubstep originated in South London in the late 1990s. It is a genre of electronic dance music that combines elements of 2-step garage, dub, and grime. The earliest dubstep tracks were produced by DJs such as Horsepower Productions and Skream.
London
The earliest origins of dubstep are often traced back to much earlier styles of electronic music such as 2-step garage which emerged from the UK in the late 1990s. However, the first tracks that are generally recognised as being dubstep date back to 2002/2003 and were produced by a handful of London-based producers including El-B, Zed Bias, Steve Gurley, Horsepower Productions andArtwork. These producers were influenced by dub reggae and sound system culture, as well as drawing on other sources such as jungle, techno, drum and bass and garage.
Bristol
Bristol is a city in the south west of England with a long history of music and art. The first mention of Bristol in relation to music was in the early 15th century, when John Leland wrote that Bristol was full of “joyous young people”. In the 16th century, the city was home to a number of famous composers, including John Taverner and William Byrd. It was also during this time that the first public music events were held in Bristol.
During the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Bristol became a major center for trade and manufacturing. This led to an increase in population and a diversification of cultures, which had a significant impact on the music scene. In particular, African and Caribbean influences began to be heard in Bristol’s music.
In the late 20th century, Bristol became known for its “Bristol sound”, a unique blend of dub, reggae, hip hop and electronic dance music. This sound was pioneered by artists such as Massive Attack and Tricky, and has since been taken up by other artists from Bristol such as Portishead, Roni Size and Reprazent.
Key Producers
In order to create Dubstep, a person must have an understanding of the music genre as a whole. Without this knowledge, it would be difficult to produce a song that is both entertaining and accurate to the genre. This is why we have included a list of key Dubstep producers. These producers have made a name for themselves in the industry and have produced some of the most iconic tracks in Dubstep history.
Skream
Skream (born Oliver Dene Jones on 1 June 1986) is a British electronic music producer based in Croydon, South London. Skream was an early pioneer of the dubstep genre and helped to push it into the mainstream consciousness with his seminal 2006 track “Midnight Request Line”. He has since released four full-length albums, including 2010’s Outside the Box which was nominated for “Best Dance album” at the 2011 NME Awards.
Benga
Benga is a dubstep producer from Croydon, London. He was an early and influential figure in the dubstep community and was one of the scene’s first internationally known artists. His track “Night” was included on the first commercial dubstep compilation, Dubstep Allstars Vol. 1 (Tempa, 2006). His debut album Diary of an Afro Warrior (Tempa, 2008) was well-received by critics and fans alike.
Since then, Benga has continued to produce innovative and forward-thinking dubstep tracks. He has released a number of successful EPs and singles, as well as appearing on numerous compilations and mix CDs. He is also a regular DJ on BBC Radio 1’s flagship dubstep show, Kiss 100’s The Fwd>>. Benga is widely regarded as one of the best and most important producers in the dubstep genre.
Burial
Burial is the stage name of an English electronic musician. His first album, Untrue, was released in 2007 to critical acclaim. The follow-up, Kindred, was released in 2012. His work has been highly influential within the dubstep genre.
Burial’s sound is characterized by its dark, cinematic atmosphere and heavy use of bass. His tracks often incorporate elements of 2-step garage, dub and trapped music.
Key Tracks
There’s something about Dubstep that just makes you want to move. The hard-hitting bass, the syncopated rhythms, the digital sound effects–it’s all designed to get your body moving. And that’s exactly what we need right now. We need to get up and move. We need to dance.
“Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” – Skrillex
“Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” is a single by Skrillex, released on October 22, 2010. The song is taken from his second EP of the same name. The song peaked at number 68 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, making it his only single to date to appear on the chart.
“In for the Kill” – Skream
This track was released in 2010, and it quickly became a dubstep fan favorite. Skream’s dark and heavy basslines are on full display in this track, and the result is an atmospheric and unforgettable song.
” Midnight Request Line” – Skream
Midnight Request Line is the perfect song to set the mood for a wild night. The ethereal opening melody grabs your attention and won’t let go until the last note. The steady build throughout the song keeps the energy high, while the vocals and lyrics add an element of mystery and intrigue. Whether you’re looking for a new anthem for your next club night or just a song to set the mood, “Midnight Request Line” is sure to get you moving.
Dubstep in Pop Culture
Dubstep has been making waves in the music industry and has slowly been infiltrating mainstream pop culture. It has been featured in many popular songs and has even been used in movies and tv shows. Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that is characterized by heavy bass and drums.
“Gangnam Style” – PSY
Arguably the most popular song of 2012, “Gangnam Style” by PSY brought dubstep to the mainstream. The song’s opening melody is catchy and upbeat, but it’s the drop that really gets you moving. With its heavy bass and syncopated rhythms, the drop is pure dubstep gold.
“Harlem Shake” – Baauer
The Harlem Shake is a song recorded by American DJ and producer Baauer. He had recorded it and released it as a free online download in May 2012, but it did not gain much attention until February 2013, when a series of videos began appearing on YouTube of people performing the Harlem Shake dance to the song. This achieved mainstream attention, with various news sources referring to it as a “viral internet meme”. The media reaction helped increase the song’s sales; it peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and became Baauer’s first single to be commercially released.
“Turn Down for What” – DJ Snake
The 2013 song “Turn Down for What” by DJ Snake and Lil Jon was a huge viral hit, with its iconic music video accumulating over half a billion views on YouTube. The song’s popularity coincided with a renewed interest in dubstep in the mainstream, helping to propel the genre into the mainstream consciousness.
Other pop songs that have incorporated dubstep elements include Justin Bieber’s “Beauty and a Beat” (which features Skrillex), Rihanna’s “Jump” (which features Daft Punk), and Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse” (which features Zedd).