What’s Dubstep Music?
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Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that emerged in the late 1990s. It is characterized by a distinctive, syncopated rhythm with heavy bass and drums.
Origins of 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 rhythmic patterns with bass lines that contain prominent sub-bass frequencies. The style emerged as a development of UK garage and jungle and was initially influenced by drum and bass, as well as 2-step garage, dub reggae, and grime.
Characteristics of Dubstep
Dubstep is a kind of electronic dance music that originated in England in the late 1990s. It is characterized by a very heavy bass sound and a fast tempo. The music is often repetitive and has a lot of computer-generated effects.
Dark, brooding atmospheres
While there are many different characteristics that can be found in dubstep, one of the most prevalent is the creation of dark, brooding atmospheres. This is often accomplished by using minimalistic melodies and foreboding basslines. Drumbeats are usually slow and syncopated, lending an ominous feeling to the music. The result is a sound that is both unsettling and captivating.
Heavy basslines and sub-bass frequencies
While the original dubstep sound was sparse, with long spaces between percussion, today’s productions feature a much more dense, that can be quite overwhelming to listeners not accustomed to it. A key characteristic of dubstep is the “wobble” bass, often referred to as the “wub”, produced by using a low-pass filter on a square or sawtooth wave, resulting in a repetitive but dynamic movement that has come to be emblematic of the style. Another common feature is the use of heavy basslines and sub-bass frequencies, which are often achieved through the use of a bass synth orsampler.
Sparse, syncopated rhythms
The characteristic dubstep rhythm is sparse and syncopated, often with delays or echoes placed at the half-bar, bar, or 2-bar interval. These rhythms are usually generated by drum machines, and may include live drums as well. They are often accompanied by sub-bass lines that emphasize the low frequencies of the bass guitar or synthesizer.
Reverb- and delay-heavy effects
Dubstep is characterized by its heavy use of reverb and delay effects, giving the music a feeling of space and depth. The sound is often described as “wobbling” or “burbling,” and is often compared to the sound of a didgeridoo. The bass lines in dubstep are often very complex, with many different layers of sound.
Notable Dubstep Artists
Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in South London in the late 1990s. It is generally characterized by sparse, syncopated rhythmic patterns with bass lines that contain prominent sub-bass frequencies. Dubstep artists often use a variety of electronic music production techniques, such as sampling, synthesizers, and drum machines.
Burial
Burial is the dubstep producer Will Bevan, who rose to prominence in the mid-2000s with a series of mysterious and critically acclaimed releases. Burial’s music is dark, atmospheric, and often melancholy, incorporating elements of 2-step garage, dub, and techno. His tracks are frequently remixed by other artists, and he has also released remixes of tracks by Thom Yorke and Four Tet.
Skream
Skream (born Oliver Dene Jones on 1 June 1986) is a British dubstep producer based in Croydon. Starting at the age of 15, he became one of dubstep’s first and most prominent producers. His 2006 track ” Midnight Requisition” was an important early work in the genre and his debut album Skream! (2006) is considered one of the most important dubstep albums to date. Skream has continued to produce dubstep throughout his career, and has also experimented with other genres such as house and techno.
Benga
Adegbenga Adejumo (born 28 October 1985), better known by his stage name Benga, is a British dubstep producer and DJ. His music is a mix of 2-step, garage, grime and hip hop. He has been involved in the dubstep scene since its beginning in the early 2000s and was one of the first dubstep producers to release on an international label, Tempa. He has released two studio albums, Diary of an Afro Warrior in 2008 and Chapter II: A Hex Era in 2012.
Mount Kimbie
Mount Kimbie is a British musical duo consisting of Dominic Maker and Kai Campos. They have been active since 2008. Their sound is characterised by a use of organic and often acoustic instruments, manipulate field recordings, and an overall subdued emotional atmosphere. Maker met Campos while they were both studying at Southbank University in London. The pair began making music together, with Maker responsible for the production and Campos playing the drums.
