drum and bass

drum and bass
XTCJOE · CC0 · source
Name	Drum and bass
Other names	DnB, jungle (early usage)
Stylistic origins	Jungle, Breakbeat hardcore, UK garage, Reggae, Dub
Cultural origins	Early 1990s, United Kingdom
Instruments	Turntable, Synthesizer, Sampler, Drum machine, Digital audio workstation
Subgenres	Liquid funk, Neurofunk, Jump-up, Darkstep
Notable artists	Goldie, Roni Size, LTJ Bukem, Andy C, High Contrast
Notable labels	Ram Records, Hospital Records, Metalheadz, V Recordings

drum and bass

Drum and bass is an electronic music genre defined by rapid breakbeat rhythms and heavy basslines that emerged in the early 1990s. Originating in the United Kingdom scenes of London, Bristol, and Leeds, it synthesized influences from jungle, Reggae, Dub, Hip hop, and Techno into a high-tempo dancefloor sound. Pioneering clubs, pirate radio stations, and independent labels drove its evolution alongside producers and DJs who developed production techniques and performance styles central to the genre.

History

Early roots trace to Acid house and Breakbeat hardcore parties in London and Bristol where DJs such as Danny Rampling and Paul Oakenfold circulated faster tempos and chopped Amen break edits. Scene-defining releases came from collectives and labels including Reinforced Records, Suburban Base Records, V Recordings, and Metalheadz, with notable producers Goldie and LTJ Bukem shaping aesthetics. The mid-1990s saw albums like Timeless and New Forms by Roni Size and Reprazent bring critical recognition, while DJs Andy C, Shy FX, DJ Hype, and Grooverider popularized mixing techniques across radio shows on Kiss FM and Rinse FM. International diffusion followed through festivals such as Glastonbury Festival and SUNBURN and scenes developed in United States, Japan, Australia, and Germany.

Characteristics and production

Typical tempo ranges between 160–180 BPM and relies on sampled breaks like the Amen break, Funky Drummer, and Think break. Production centers on synthesizers such as the Roland TB-303 (influencing bass timbres), samplers such as the Akai MPC, and software Digital audio workstations including Ableton Live and Propellerhead Reason. Sound design often uses FM and subtractive synthesis to craft reese and wobble basses heard in releases on Metalheadz and Ram Records. Mixing techniques draw from Turntablism and DJ culture with slip-cueing, double dropping, and EQ juggling demonstrated by practitioners like Andy C and LTJ Bukem. Remixes and MC performances involve figures such as Shy FX, Darren Éden and Netsky collaborating with vocalists and rappers from UK garage and Grime circles.

Subgenres and styles

The genre diversified into styles including Liquid funk (melodic, influenced by Soul music and Jazz, popularized by Hospital Records and High Contrast), Neurofunk (technical, dark textures advanced by Noisia and Ed Rush), Jump-up (bouncy basslines championed by DJ Hype and Friction), and Darkstep (aggressive rhythms associated with Dom & Roland). Hybrid forms merged with Dubstep-adjacent bass music via artists like Spor and Spor/Feed Me; crossovers with House music and Techno occurred through festivals and labels such as Fabric and Berghain. Subgenres spawn micro-scenes and record series on V Recordings, Metalheadz, Hospital Records, and Ram Records that map stylistic boundaries across club culture.

Key artists and labels

Key artists include pioneers Goldie, Roni Size, LTJ Bukem, DJ Hype, Shy FX, Grooverider, Andy C, High Contrast, Noisia, Calibre, Netsky, Sub Focus, S.P.Y, and Bad Company UK. Influential labels are Metalheadz (founded by Goldie and Doc Scott), V Recordings (founded by Rene LaVice and Doc Scott), Ram Records (founded by Andy C), Hospital Records (founded by Tony Colman and Chris Goss), Spearhead Records, and Reinforced Records. Radio programs and club nights from Kiss FM, BBC Radio 1Xtra, Rinse FM, FabricLive and nights at Ministry of Sound and The End amplified artists and label catalogs.

Scenes and global impact

Regional scenes blossomed in Bristol (linking to Trip hop and Massive Attack), Leeds (club culture around Motion), Birmingham, Sheffield, Brighton, London and international hubs like Berlin, Amsterdam, Tokyo, Sydney, Melbourne, Toronto, and New York City. The genre influenced production in Hip hop, Pop music, Film scores and videogame soundtracks, with composers and producers from Hollywood and Ninja Tune incorporating fast-break aesthetics. Festivals such as Outlook Festival, Shambhala Music Festival, SUNFEST and city-based events helped export DJs and MCs worldwide, while academic studies at Goldsmiths, University of London and University of Leeds examined cultural networks. Drum and bass scenes intersect with pirate radio traditions, club regulation debates in London’s nightlife, and independent distribution via labels like Hospital Records and Ram Records, sustaining a global ecosystem of producers, DJs, clubs, and festivals.

Category:Electronic music genres