What is Dubstep – The Basics
Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music (EDM) that got its start in London in the late 1990s, around the same time as grime. Though it is still closely associated with other forms of EDM such as drum and bass and jungle, the sound of dubstep has become increasingly popular and distinct. Dubstep is characterized by a deep, heavy bass, energetic beats, and a syncopated rhythm. The genre generally features a tempo of around 140-160 beats per minute, and a thunderous low end bassline.

A History of Dubstep
The roots of dubstep can be traced to UK garage and two step, two UK dance styles that emerged in the late 1990s. The earliest dubstep originated from UK producer Steve Gurley, who is credited with creating the signature “garage wobble” bass sound. His first dubstep production, “Joy Rider (Gurley’s Slowrider Mix)”, was released in 1997.

As it gained popularity in the early 2000s, dubstep started to evolve. Many producers began to experiment with other genres such as reggae, funk, grime and even hip hop in order to create a distinctive sound. Other producers such as Benga and Skream, incorporated dub sounds from Jamaican sound systems to create a more experimental sound. By 2006, dubstep started to break through to mainstream audiences, and artists such as Skrillex became global superstars.

Exploring Dubstep’s Influence
The sound of dubstep has had a massive influence on contemporary music. Dubstep techniques and sounds can be heard in trap, hip hop, reggae and pop music. Producers such as Diplo, Major Lazer and Skrillex have taken the signature “wobble” bass of dubstep and blended it with other genres to create new and distinct sounds.

Furthermore, dubstep has had a profound influence on the production of EDM. Producers are now able to use complex sound design and synthesis to create unique sounds, textures and melodies. This has led to the emergence of a variety of new sub-genres such as dub-tech, drumstep, neuro-dubstep, and glitch-hop. Additionally, dubstep has become an immensely popular soundtrack for gaming and film.

In conclusion, dubstep is a genre that has evolved significantly since its emergence in the late 1990s. Thanks to its versatile and innovative nature, it has had a tremendous influence on other genres such as hip hop, trap, reggae and EDM. Further, it has become a popular soundtracks for film and gaming. Dubstep is here to stay, and this genre will continue to evolve and shape the music of the future.