What is Dubstep?

What Kind of Music is Dubstep?

There are many similarities between dubstep and garage. For example, in both dubstep and garage the rhythm of the music is propelled by an emphatic bass line. Dubstep can usually be identified by a tempo of 140 beats per minute. Typically, it will have what is known as a 2-step rhythm. Syncopation is also frequently used, as are snare drums. More recently, there have been developments into half-time rhythms.

The Development of Dubstep

The earliest forays into dubstep took place in London, England, in 1999. During the development of the genre, the music was far more tentative and integrated break beat, drum and bass, and 2-step garage. The result of which was a much darker sound than the contemporary examples of dubstep.

Although the dubstep genre began to emerge in 1999, it was not named until three years later. In 2002, when the term dubstep first came into usage, the genre had begun to establish itself amongst the many types of dance music. The differences between dubstep, 2-step garage and grime had become more evident by this time. However, it did not spread beyond London, until 2006.

Fundamental to the creation of dubstep was a London club named ‘Forward >>’. It was the first venue dedicated to playing, and producing, dubstep music. The club was first set up in London’s Soho and ran every Sunday night. Eventually, ‘Forward >>’ moved to Shoreditch (also in London), where it continues to operate weekly. ‘Forward >>’ was also responsible for setting up a pirate radio station, Rinse FM, which was based in London. Rinse FM facilitated an increase in dubstep’s audience and helped to create a fan-base outside London.

Expansion of Dubstep

By 2006, the popularity of dubstep had vastly increased. It was gradually becoming a more mainstream genre of dance music. During this period, several websites dedicated to dubstep were created. In addition, dubstep was being written about in music magazines, which further amplified interest.

Currently, dubstep is no longer considered simply a UK genre of music. It has become internationally recognized, but its status in its home country continues to grow. This was demonstrated by the huge popularity of Benga and Coki’s single “Night”, which was one of the biggest selling tracks of the UK Dance Chart for more than a year.