Dubstep And Beyond: The Electro Reggae Connection To World Music

(OPENPRESS) November 9, 2011 — Even before Sly and Robbie coined the term Electro Reggae for their 1986 Taxi Gang LP release, they had begun experimenting with dissonant, electronic sounds. Random, computer-generated blips and electric percussion permeated the Black Uhuru albums the duo produced. A year earlier they would claim Reggae’s first Grammy on the heels of such innovation.

The 1990’s would see a migration in the music with Reggae-related styles becoming as varied as the population. As Drum and Bass took hold, fans of the music never forgot its roots. UK soundsystems and producers would incorporate the MC skills of heavyweights like MC Conrad, Skibadee and The Ragga Twinz. The part they played in the evolution of the music was magnified by the growth of the internet. The scene was no longer confined to a geographic region. Roni Size even conquered the American music marketplace with his 1998 “Reprazent” release on Universal Records.

Around the turn of the millennium, UK producers began building on their more insular genres such as two-step and grime. As Reggae-Dub had by then permeated the cultural landscape, it was included to create a new sound. The result, characterized by a tempo of 140 bpm and syncopated high hats, also placed a heavy emphasis on Electro bass line permutations. It would not be formally recognized or called by its name “Dubstep” for several years after its inception. Championed first by BBC radio host John Peel and Mary Anne Hobbs afterwards, the new form of Reggae-Influenced Electro music took the world by storm.

After 2008 Dubstep began a move to the mainstream, but the Electro-Reggae innovation continued.

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Read more at: TheOpenPress.com

6 Comments

NIk Beeson
November 10, 2011

Hey Eric.

What Dubstep artists would you recommend for a Noob…?

Thanks for the article.

Nik
Eric Brockman
November 10, 2011

Hey pal, I’m certainly no expert on the subject but here’s a starting point anyways. This article kinda skips the beginning of the movement, which is always a good place to start. I’d say check out what King Tubby, Prince Jammy, Revolutionaries, etc.. were doing in the 60/ 70s. Stop by the 80s for some Jah Shaka & Mikey Dread then move towards some Mad Professor & Lee Scratch Perry. Finally you can check out some more modern dub ie. Burial, Kode9, Digital Mystikz…

I’m sure there are a lot of heads out there that can offer a much better road map, but that’s mine.
Mr. Tunes
November 10, 2011

hey nik – there are many different kinds of dubstep now. it’s also overlapping with a style of music from the 90s ‘uk funky’. some people say we’re now in a ‘post-dubstep’ era, which is kind of funny because a lot of people are just learning about the style now. this is underground music culture for you!

here’s a good spot to hear some mixes and learn about different artists. http://percussionlab.com/sets?list=tag&tag=dubstep
Eric Brockman
November 10, 2011

Thanks for the link Mr. Tunes!
Jason Steidman
November 10, 2011

Two Dubstep recommendations:

12th Planet: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12th_Planet_%28musician%29

^^regarded as the US ‘guru’ ^^

Plastician: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastician <- UK "heavy"

Peace, js.
Nik Beeson
December 1, 2011

Hey Mr. Tunes.

Thanks for the site.
Having a listen to something called OrangeWarrior and definitely enjoying…

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