One of the most popular styles of electronic music, ‘drum and bass’, also known as ‘D&B’, originated in the early 1990s in the UK. This is one of the genres of electronic music, with its origins based in breakbeat and jungle music, that has remained very popular, particularly in the UK, to this day. That distinctive D&B sound kept it going over the years to a small but devoted fan base. D&B sound has fast breakbeats and strong bass. Numerous kinds of genres have influenced D&B. It includes hip-hop, trip-hop, big beat, jazz, rock, pop, house, dubstep, techno etc. Liquid funk is another name for D&B. Ragga jungle, break-core, ambient, jump-up, Neurofunk, drumfunk, sambass, drill ‘n’ bass, Darkstep, hardstep and techstep are some types of D&B.
History of D&B
Breakbeat hardcore is a sound built off hip-hop beats with musical samples and pop culture soundbites. It was the popular early 1990s EDM sound. By the early 1990s, breakbeat hardcore had spun off into a few subgenres, among them darkcore, which added synth lines and other ominous sounds into its formula; and hardcore jungle—which would later be known simply as jungle and incorporate sounds from, among other things, Jamaican music. Jungle ultimately became a very famous style, although, some producers started focusing on incorporating breakbeats and bass lines within their tracks, moving away from Jamaican influence and heavy use of samples.
In the late 90s, it started becoming mainstream. D&B started attracting larger audiences and D&B artists like Goldie and Ronie Size into the scene. They became pioneer artists in D&B. By the late 1990s, many different styles of drum and bass had appeared, each centred around its influences: more light-hearted jump-up, soul-influenced liquid funk, and techstep and neurofunk that took in jazz, funk, and ambient soundscapes.
D&B has its share of ups and downs. In the early 2000s, fortunes started to plummet for drum and bass, but by the 2010s the subgenre found some new air, with tracks by the artists like Matrix & Futurebound, Metrik, and Netsky. Small-class labels ran through by old hands in dance music came out, like London Elektricity’s Hospital Records. The scene remained strong in Europe and beyond and exists on numerous online websites, music streaming platforms, terrestrial, satellite, and Internet radios. The later-generation forms of electronic music that evolved, including dubstep and grime, also clearly show the mark of this music upon them.
Bristol: D&B Hub
Bristol immensely contributes to D&B culture. It has always been an epicentre for innovation and experimentation in electronic music. The vibrant musical scene and rich musical heritage make Bristol famous. In the mid-1990s, well-known DJ and producer Roni Size formed one of the renowned D&B labels, Full Cycle Records in Bristol. Full Cycle Records played a crucial role in improvising the sound of D&B and making it mainstream.
As legendary in D&B are the clubs and venues for it—Lakota and Black Swan are all in Bristol. And, DJs and producers come to cut their teeth, showing off their skills and pushing the genre toward new frontiers. For talented DJs and producers from DJ Krust, Dillinja, and DJ Die, it is a place where they grow their fan base.
Through Bristol, the approach to the genre was largely determined, while its avant-garde approach to the music creation inspired innumerable musicians and producers with its distinct sound. Across the UK and worldwide, the influence of Bristol’s D&B scene is prominent.
Despite its popularity and success, D&B has gone through quite several difficulties throughout the years. D&B has been criticised because of its harsh sound and affiliation with rave culture. It has been criticised frequently by mainstream listeners. Still, with its devoted fan base and active community of artists and producers, D&B has continued moving forward, and its essence remains alive.
Today, D&B is still an active and vibrant genre. The D&B culture in the UK, especially in Bristol, retains its great vigour. Producers and musicians worldwide continue to push limits by experimenting with new sounds and appearances. This city remains a hotbed for creation and innovation within the electronic music industry. Next time you visit Bristol, check out D&B night to experience it.
