The Best Electronic Dance Music of the 2000s
Contents
The best electronic dance music of the 2000s was a golden era for the genre. From classics like Daft Punk’s “One More Time” to more recent hits like Avicii’s “Levels,” the 2000s were full of incredible dance tunes.
The Early 2000s
If you were a teenager in the early 2000s, you probably remember the rise of electronic dance music. It was everywhere, from the radio to TV to the movies. And it was great! The early 2000s were a golden age for EDM, with some of the best music coming out of that era.
The Rise of Trance
The early 2000s was a golden age for electronic dance music, with a wide variety of genres and subgenres emerging and evolving. One of the most popular genres during this time was trance, which originated in the 1990s but truly came into its own in the early 2000s.
Trance is characterized by its hypnotic, dreamlike melodies and soaring, emotional vocals. Its popularity was due in part to its cathartic, emotionally-uplifting qualities, which provided listeners with an escape from the everyday grind. Trance quickly gained popularity throughout Europe and Asia, before making its way to the United States in the late 1990s/early 2000s.
With its origins in German techno and British acid house, trance developed into a unique sound that incorporated elements of many different genres. The genre is also notable for its use of synthesizers and drum machines, which give it a distinctive sound that sets it apart from other genres.
By the early 2000s, trance had become one of the most popular genres in electronic dance music, with artists like Paul van Dyk, Tiesto, and Armin van Buuren becoming international superstars. The genre reached new heights in 2004 with the release of Tiesto’s album ” Parade Of The Athletes”, which became the first electronic dance album to receive a Grammy nomination.
Despite its mainstream success, trance remains a niche genre with a devoted following. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in trance music, with new artists emerging and old-school fans rediscovering the genre’s emotional power.
The Birth of Dubstep
In the early 2000s, a new style of electronic dance music began to emerge in the London club scene. This new style, which came to be known as dubstep, blended elements of 2-step garage, grime, and dub reggae. Dubstep tracks typically feature syncopated basslines, sparse percussion, and dark, atmospheric soundscapes.
The earliest dubstep tracks were often released on white label vinyl, with no artist information or track titles. As the style began to catch on, however, a number of key producers and DJs emerged. Among the most important early figures in dubstep were DMZ (a collaboration between producers Benga, Skream, and Youngsta), and Digweed’s record label Hyperdub.
The mid-2000s saw the release of a number of important dubstep tracks and albums, including Burial’s self-titled debut album (2006), Kode9 & The Spaceape’s Memories of the Future (2006), and Skream’s Skream! (2006). In 2007, BBC Radio 1 DJ Mary Anne Hobbs helped to bring dubstep to a wider audience with her Dubstep Warz show.
The 2010s have seen dubstep continue to evolve and grow in popularity. Artists such as James Blake and Mount Kimbie have helped to bring the genre to new audiences, while producers like Excison and Flux Pavilion have pushed the boundaries of what is possible within the genre.
The Mid-2000s
The early 2000s were a time when electronic dance music was just beginning to gain mainstream popularity. Artists like David Guetta, Tiesto, and Armin van Buuren were becoming household names, and festivals like Ultra Music Festival were becoming increasingly popular. The mid-2000s were a golden age for EDM, with some of the best music of the genre being released during this time.
The Proliferation of House
The early 2000s saw a rise in popularity of electronic dance music, especially house music. House music is a genre of electronic dance music that was developed in the 1980s. House music is characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat and often incorporates elements of disco, techno, and acid house. House music became popular in the mid-2000s, especially among teenagers and young adults. The proliferation of house music was due to the rise of nightclubs and electronic dance festivals, such as the world-famous Tomorrowland festival.
The Explosion of EDM
In the early 2000s, electronic dance music (EDM) began to gain popularity in the United States, with mainstream artists such as Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Justin Timberlake incorporating it into their hits. This coincided with the rise of social media platforms such as MySpace and YouTube, which allowed upcoming producers and DJs to share their music with a wider audience.
In the mid-2000s, EDM experienced a surge in popularity, with festivals such as Electric Daisy Carnival and Ultra Music Festival becoming household names. This was also the era when famous DJs such as Tiësto, Skrillex, and Deadmau5 rose to prominence.
The mid-2000s also saw the rise of dubstep, a subgenre of EDM characterized by heavy basslines and distorted sounds. While it was initially popular in underground circles, dubstep soon crossed over into the mainstream thanks to mainstream artists such as Rihanna and Katy Perry incorporating it into their hits.
The Late 2000s
The Dominance of Electro House
In the late 2000s, Electro House began to dominate the electronic dance music scene. This was due to the success of artists like Skrillex and Deadmau5, who popularized the use of heavy bass synths and hard-hitting drums. The sound of Electro House would go on to influence many other genres, including Trap and future Bass.
The Resurgence of Trance
In the late 2000s, trance music saw a resurgence in popularity, with hits like Armin van Buuren’s “In and Out of Love” and Tiesto’s “Adagio for Strings” becoming global anthems. At the same time, a new generation of producers was coming to the fore, such as Swedish House Mafia, Avicii, and deadmau5. This new wave of artists brought a fresh sound to trance, infusing it with elements of house, pop, and even dubstep.
