Drum and bass

Drum and bass, often called drum 'n' bass or DnB, is a high-energy genre of electronic dance music.

It emerged in the United Kingdom during the early 1990s. The music is defined by very fast breakbeats, which are broken drum patterns. These typically move at a tempo of 165 to 185 beats per minute. Producers pair these rhythms with heavy bass and deep sub-bass lines. The genre is a fusion style that draws from many musical traditions. It combines elements of reggae, dub, hip hop, techno, and house music. This variety allows the music to feel both underground and mainstream.

Creating drum and bass involves sophisticated technical processes like sampling and synthesis. Sampling is the act of taking a small piece of an existing recording to use in a new track. One of the most famous examples is the "Amen break," a drum solo from The Winstons.

Producers also use drum machines like the Roland TR-808 to create powerful sounds. Specifically, the TR-808 kick drum is often down-pitched to create a deep, elongated bass effect. Some producers use a technique called switching, where they move between two different breaks every bar. They may even create a "Tramen," which combines the Amen break with other funk and electronic breaks. This creates the complex syncopation that distinguishes the genre from techno.

There are many distinct subgenres that offer different listening experiences. Some styles are highly electronic and industrial, such as techstep, which uses science-fiction aesthetics. Others are more melodic and accessible, like liquid drum and bass or liquid funk.

Artists like High Contrast and Calibre have pioneered these smoother sounds. Other subgenres include darkstep, neurofunk, jump up, and drumfunk. There is even a style called sambass in Brazil, which fuses local rhythms with drum and bass. The genre can range from heavy, aggressive sounds to jazz-influenced tracks using acoustic instruments.

History shows how the genre evolved from the UK rave scene and breakbeat hardcore of the late 1980s. Early tracks, such as Lennie De Ice’s "We Are I.E." from 1991, acted as precursors. These early works combined breakbeats with reggae-influenced basslines. In the early 1990s, a closely related style called jungle became part of UK youth culture.

Jungle was heavily influenced by Jamaican sound system traditions and dancehall. Producers like Goldie, Doc Scott, and LTJ Bukem helped transition the sound toward drum and bass. By 1995, many producers began moving away from the ragga-influenced jungle style. This shift led to the more polished and technically sophisticated drum and bass of the late 1990s.

As the genre grew, it achieved significant critical and commercial milestones. In 1997, Roni Size & Reprazent won the Mercury Prize for their album New Forms. This was a major sign of wider critical recognition for the music. The genre also expanded from pirate radio stations to commercial radio. While it started in the UK, it spread globally to North America, Europe, Australia, and Brazil. Even major international labels eventually took notice, such as when BMG Rights Management acquired the RAM label in February 2016.

Drum and bass has a massive web of musical influences. The British African-Caribbean sound system scene brought heavy influences from Jamaican dub and reggae. Pioneers like King Tubby and Bob Marley helped shape the bass-heavy foundations. Funk artists like James Brown and Aretha Franklin provided the rhythmic breaks. Even jazz legend Miles Davis and blues artists like B.B. King are cited as inspirations. In the electronic realm, Kevin Saunderson’s "Reese" bassline became a fundamental building block for many producers. This deep connection to other genres makes drum and bass a true fusion of styles.

In the modern era, the genre is experiencing a digital resurgence. Digital distribution and streaming platforms have helped artists like Pendulum and Chase & Status reach mainstream charts.

In the United Kingdom, streaming for the genre grew by approximately 94% between 2021 and 2024. Most of these listeners are under the age of 34. Some experts have even described this period as a "drum n' bass Renaissance." New artists like Nia Archives and Bou continue to bring the sound to large festivals and viral digital audiences. The genre remains a vital, evolving part of global electronic music.