What is Dubstep?

The last few years have experienced the rise of a style of music known as "dubstep." Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that originated from London in 1999-2000. Its overall sound has been described by allmusic.com as "tightly coiled productions with overwhelming bass lines and reverberant drum patterns, clipped samples, and occasional vocals." Dubstep is always nearly between 138 and 142 beats per minute (BPMs). Dubstep productions are typically in minor keys, dissonant in nature, and with syncopated rhythms.

Ambient DJs' take on dubstep? It is mostly too raw and visceral for a formal affair, and probably for just about any family gathering! For an underground house party filled with ravers or hipsters, a grimy dubstep set could be just what the doctor ordered. We occasionally receive a request for dubstep at our club gigs or at high school or college events. Dance floor results have been sketchy at best. For an example of dubstep, check out the music video at the bottom of this blog post. The track is a remix by Flux Pavilion of "All the Eastern Girls" by the Chapel Club. If anything, watch this video for its amazing old school video arcade imagery.

A sub-set of dubstep, called "grownstep" features dubstep rhythms, but is more melodic - however, this is a relative statemen! Check out the video below, and tell us what you think about dubstep! If you like it, please share some favorite tracks that we should put into our music crates.

To download a free "grownstep" mix by DMC Champion DJ Shiftee, check out the following link.