Dubstep is a genre of music that most people have only just started to realise the potential of. It has broken into the mainstream over the past few years, and millions of people have listened to the bass and wanted to find out more. Since then, there are now legions of die-hard dubstep fans all over the world. Here are some characteristics of dubstep:
Dubstep is a mainly instrumental genre of music. There are often little to no vocals on a track, apart from occasional sampling (however, this is not always the case - often in remixes, there can be a lot of singing on a track.) The lyrical themes explored in dubstep are often very limited, and do not tell a story as in other genres - in fact, some dubstep songs simply repeat one phrase thorought the entire song!
Dubstep artists are called producers, and it actually takes a lot of skill to be a successful dubstep producer. Most people think that all you have to be able to do to create a dubstep track is press a few buttons on a computer - but it is a lot harder than that. You need a lot of musical understanding to create a dubstep song that does not sound like random wubs and drops. Give it a try - you may then give dubstep producers the artistic recognition they deserve!
- Bass thorought the song, often culminating in at least one bass drop
- Reverberant drum patterns
- Clipped samples (such as "Yes, Oh My God!" featured in Skrillex's Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites)
- Occasional vocals
Dubstep is a mainly instrumental genre of music. There are often little to no vocals on a track, apart from occasional sampling (however, this is not always the case - often in remixes, there can be a lot of singing on a track.) The lyrical themes explored in dubstep are often very limited, and do not tell a story as in other genres - in fact, some dubstep songs simply repeat one phrase thorought the entire song!
Dubstep artists are called producers, and it actually takes a lot of skill to be a successful dubstep producer. Most people think that all you have to be able to do to create a dubstep track is press a few buttons on a computer - but it is a lot harder than that. You need a lot of musical understanding to create a dubstep song that does not sound like random wubs and drops. Give it a try - you may then give dubstep producers the artistic recognition they deserve!
EXAMPLES OF MODERN DUBSTEP ARTISTS (SORRY, 'PRODUCERS')
Skrillex
Skrillex (born Sonny John Moore) is one of the pioneers of modern dubstep. His debut EP Scary Monsters & Nice Sprites has really changed the way the world views dubstep - he has also paved the way for other dubstep producers such as Nero & Knife Party to be lead on their way to greatness.
Skrillex was originally lead singer in the post-hardcore band From First To Last but left due to vocal problems. A few years after he released Scary Monsters & Nice Sprites and hasn't looked back since!
Some of Skrillex's best songs include Scary Monsters & Nice Sprites, Bangarang, Kill Everybody, First Of The Year (Equinox), Cinema, Reptile's Theme, Rock N Roll (Will Take You To The Mountain), and Kyoto.
Below is an example of Skrillex's breakout track, the one that changed dubstep's perception forever...yes, I'm talking about Scary Monsters & Nice Sprites! Enjoy!
Skrillex was originally lead singer in the post-hardcore band From First To Last but left due to vocal problems. A few years after he released Scary Monsters & Nice Sprites and hasn't looked back since!
Some of Skrillex's best songs include Scary Monsters & Nice Sprites, Bangarang, Kill Everybody, First Of The Year (Equinox), Cinema, Reptile's Theme, Rock N Roll (Will Take You To The Mountain), and Kyoto.
Below is an example of Skrillex's breakout track, the one that changed dubstep's perception forever...yes, I'm talking about Scary Monsters & Nice Sprites! Enjoy!
Knife Party
Knife Party is an Australian dubstep/electro house duo that has been attracting a lot of chart attention around the world. Ever since they remixed Save The World by Swedish House Mafia in 2011 Knife Party have been described as one of the most promising new dubstep duos.
They have released 2 EPs as of November 2012 (100% No Modern Talking and Rage Valley) and some of the standout tracks on those were Internet Friends, Destroy Them With Lazers, Tourniquet, Bonfire & Centipede.
Knife Party has two members, Rob Swire & Gareth McGrillen. They were part of the drum and bass band Pendulum, but put Pendulum on hiatus to pursue other forms of music. This is where Knife Party came from, and they have never looked back since!
Below is my personal favourite Knife Party song, Bonfire. Enjoy!
They have released 2 EPs as of November 2012 (100% No Modern Talking and Rage Valley) and some of the standout tracks on those were Internet Friends, Destroy Them With Lazers, Tourniquet, Bonfire & Centipede.
Knife Party has two members, Rob Swire & Gareth McGrillen. They were part of the drum and bass band Pendulum, but put Pendulum on hiatus to pursue other forms of music. This is where Knife Party came from, and they have never looked back since!
Below is my personal favourite Knife Party song, Bonfire. Enjoy!