Why Dubstep Isn't Music

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

What is dubstep?
The history of dubstep
The rise of dubstep
The fall of dubstep
Why dubstep isn’t music

If you’re not a fan of dubstep, you’re probably wondering why anyone would consider it music. Here’s a look at why dubstep isn’t music, according to some people.

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What is dubstep?

Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in South London in the late 1990s. It is generally characterized by sparse, syncopated drum and percussion patterns with occasionally shuffled or reversed beats, and basslines containing prominent sub-bass frequencies.

In the 2010s, the style became more widely known outside of nightclubs and underground scenes due to popular artists such as Skrillex and Bassnectar releasing mainstream singles and albums. That said, there is still much debate within the music community as to whether or not dubstep can be considered “music.” Here are some of the main arguments against dubstep being classified as music:

The history of dubstep

Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that emerged in South London in the late 1990s. It is generally characterized by sparse, syncopated drum and percussion patterns with bass lines that contain prominent sub-bass frequencies. Dubstep began as a more minimalist and experimental offshoot of 2-step garage and grime. The earliest dubstep releases date back to 1998, and were usually produced by small underground record labels.

In the early 2000s, dubstep began to be incorporated into mainstream pop music, with artists such as Snoop Dogg and Britney Spears releasing tracks that featured elements of the genre. By the mid-2000s, dubstep had become one of the most popular genres of electronic dance music, with a sound that was characterized by heavy basslines and sparse, syncopated beats. In recent years, dubstep has seen a resurgence in popularity, with artists such as Skrillex and Flux Pavilion becoming household names.

The rise of dubstep

In the past decade, dubstep has become one of the most popular genres of electronic dance music. It’s characterized by its heavy bass, complex percussion, and often dark or mysterious atmosphere.

However, not everyone is a fan of dubstep. In fact, some people argue that it isn’t even music. Here are a few reasons why dubstep isn’t music, according to its detractors:

1. It’s too repetitive.

One of the biggest criticisms of dubstep is that it can be quite repetitive. A lot of the time, the same bassline or drum pattern will be used throughout an entire song, with little variation. This can make it sound like a monotonous drone rather than an interesting piece of music.

2. It’s not melody-based.

Another common complaint is that dubstep rarely features any melody. Instead, it focuses on creating a certain feeling or atmosphere with its sounds and textures. Some people find this lack of melody to be unenjoyable or even boring.

3. It’s just noise.

To some people, dubstep just sounds like noise. This is because a lot of the time, the Bass Is King in dubstep songs, and the basslines can be very distorted and growling-sounding. This can be off-putting for listeners who are used to more traditional forms of music where melody and harmony are more important than sheer Loudness Wars levels of volume.

The fall of dubstep

It’s official: dubstep is dead. The genre that once dominated the underground dance music scene has been officially killed off by mainstream commercial success. While this may be good news for some, it’s a sad day for true fans of the genre. Here’s why:

Dubstep used to be about experimentation and innovation, pushing the boundaries of what was possible with electronic music. But as the genre became more popular, it became more formulaic and predictable. The tempo slowed down, the drops got bigger, and the bass got heavier. And while there are still some good dubstep tracks being made, they’re becoming increasingly rare.

The death of dubstep is a symptom of a wider problem in the world of electronic music: the commercialisation and homogenisation of once-underground genres. As genres like dubstep, techno and house become more popular, they lose their underground credibility and become watered-down versions of themselves. This process is sometimes referred to as “selling out”.

So if you’re a true fan of dubstep, don’t be too disheartened by its fall from grace. Remember that it was always about more than just the music – it was a movement, a community, and a way of life. And as long as there are people who love dubstep for what it was, it will never really die.