what-is-dubstep
What is dubstep?
Table of contents
Table of contents
What is dubstep in 2024?
What is dubstep?
Dubstep is a term many people have heard, but how many can really say: "That's dubstep!"?
Although it is a genre of electronic music, there is much more to understand and appreciate.
Origins of dubstep
Born in south London, specifically Croydon, dubstep owes its roots to pioneers such as Digital Mystikz, Benga, Skream and Kode9. Emerging from UK garage and 2-step, the genre drew from drum and bass, jungle, dub and broken beat.
It was Hatcha who popularised the term "dubstep", referring to productions made at the Big Apple record shop in Croydon. EL-B and Zed Bias were among the first to produce dubstep tracks in 2000. Its popularity skyrocketed thanks to BBC Radio 1, with memorable remixes such as Skream's remix of La Roux's "In for the Kill".
Dubstep and its global rise
Dubstep reached new heights in 2011 when DJ Fresh's "Louder" became the first dubstep track to reach number one on the UK charts. Global icons like Britney Spears and Snoop Dogg incorporated dubstep elements into their music, propelling it onto the international stage. What defines dubstep is its powerful rhythm, breakdowns and intense drops.
Dubstep in France
Although France was slower to adopt "heavy dubstep", more commercial variants found their way onto the airwaves.
Artists like Skrillex, Krewella, Diplo and Example introduced a more dancefloor-oriented version of dubstep. Other artists, such as Netsky, Major Lazer and Diplo, also enriched the French music scene with related genres like drum and bass and trap music.
Dubstep in France: iconic nights in Paris
"ALL NAKED" nights in Paris until 2011: All Naked was one of the essential dubstep nights in Paris. These events were known for their high-energy atmosphere and their ability to bring together both long-time fans of the genre and curious newcomers. The line-ups were often varied, combining emerging local talent with more established names from the international dubstep scene. These nights helped strengthen dubstep's presence in Paris and gave artists in the genre a platform.
"Splash" nights until 2018: Splash Dubstep Redemption nights were also very popular with dubstep fans in Paris. Standing out through quality production and a particular focus on the audio and visual experience, these nights quickly gained popularity. The emphasis was on pure dubstep, with sometimes more experimental sets, satisfying purists while attracting a wider audience. The impact of Splash Dubstep Redemption was notable in popularising and understanding the dubstep genre in Paris.
"Drop In Bass" nights until 2022: "Drop In Bass" nights are an institution on the Paris dubstep scene. They distinguished themselves through an authentic dubstep experience, with a focus on sound quality and musical curation. These events regularly attracted big names from the international dubstep scene, confirming Paris as one of the European capitals of the genre.
"Drop In Bass" was more than just a night out: it was a genuine community. The events were characterised by a friendly, inclusive atmosphere where fans could share their passion for dubstep, discover new artists and connect with other enthusiasts.
Thanks to "Drop In Bass" and similar nights, Paris was able to develop and maintain a solid, vibrant dubstep scene, despite shifts and changing trends in the global musical landscape.
Dubstep subgenres
- Brostep: Represented by artists like Skrillex from 2011 to 2014, this style is characterised by lighter, very accessible sounds. In 2023 it is no longer the most common subgenre. At the time it was "commercial" dubstep.
- Heavy dubstep: With artists such as Excision, this subgenre is appreciated for its powerful bass and intense drops. Today it is no longer really considered a separate subgenre.
- Chillstep: A calmer, more accessible style of dubstep, popular on YouTube. In 2023 it has largely faded from the mainstream scene.
- Deathstep: A genre that was popular for a few years until 2019, with artists like Code:Pandorum.
- Riddim: The popular genre of the moment in 2024! A slow tempo at 140 BPM, a simple structure.
- Trench: With the momentum of German artist Infekt, the word trench defines an "OG" riddim style that uses the original codes of the genre.
- Liquid riddim: A very calm, soothing riddim subgenre. Still very underground — you'll need to dig on SoundCloud to hear it.
- Colour bass: A genre popularised by Rushdown, a colour bass label — melodic and highly accessible.
- Melodic riddim: A melodic take on riddim, with a few notes to make the genre more accessible.
The state of dubstep in 2024
Today, dubstep remains an influential musical style, although some claim it is in decline.
In France there are still a few dubstep nights in Paris. You can follow dubstep events in France and Paris on our app.
However, new genres inspired by dubstep, such as riddim and its emerging subgenres, continue to emerge, proving that the spirit of dubstep is still alive and well.
Whatever direction music takes, dubstep artists continue to evolve and innovate, drawing inspiration from other genres such as hardstyle, electro and trap.
If you want to discover upcoming dubstep nights in France or Europe, check out our app: The Dubstep Mag app.
And if you spot an inaccuracy in this article, feel free to leave a comment on our social media to let us know.
Article updated on 29 July 2024.
We are preparing in-depth guides explaining each dubstep subgenre very soon.
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