Drum and Bass: Origins, History, Subgenres, and Evolution Explained

Drum and bass is one of the fastest and most energetic genres in electronic music, combining rapid breakbeats, heavy basslines, and tempos between 165 and 180 BPM.

Originating in the UK’s underground rave scene during the early 1990s, it has grown into a global genre with countless artists, labels, and subgenres.

In this guide, we’ll explore the history, sound, evolution, and defining characteristics of drum and bass, along with its biggest artists, tracks, and record labels.

Drum and Bass at a Glance

Here’s a concise overview of drum and bass before we explore the genre in more detail.

While these quick facts provide a useful overview, there’s much more to drum and bass. Let’s explore its origins, defining characteristics, and lasting influence on electronic music.

What Is Drum and Bass?

Drum and bass is a genre of electronic music that emerged in the UK in the 1990s, defined by rapid drums, sub-basslines, and fast tempos.

Relying heavily on breakbeats, drum and bass draws on genres like reggae, hip-hop, and dub and is designed primarily for club sound systems.

Why Is It Called “Drum and Bass”?

The label “drum and bass” is drawn directly from the genre’s characteristic blend of rapid-fire drums and undulating basslines.

Like acid house, this term captured the spirit of early 1990s dance music culture in the UK, when several new genres evolved.

Recommended reading: How to DJ EDM.

Drum and Bass Origins & History

Drum and bass emerged from a mix of rave, reggae, hip-hop, and breakbeat hardcore, creating a sound unlike anything else in UK clubs.

Here’s an overview of how this powerful genre found its place in the UK’s thriving rave scene and its evolution since.

Origins & Jungle Influences

In the early 1990s, drum and bass evolved from the underground rave culture, notably the breakbeat and jungle scenes.

Early producers increased the tempo, introducing complex beats and deep basslines that forged its distinctive sound.

Some of the best 90s DJs, such as Goldie, LTJ Bukem, Fabio, Grooverider, and Andy C, helped establish drum and bass as a distinct genre.

Rising Popularity & Subgenres

As drum and bass gained broader attention in music circles, the genre’s reach extended beyond the UK into Europe.

Record labels and radio stations dedicated to promoting drum and bass proliferated, expanding its appeal and stylistic scope.

Drum and bass gradually expanded into Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand, although the UK remained its strongest market.

Evolution to the Present Day

With easy access to music production technology from the early 2000s, drum and bass artists could create increasingly polished tracks.

The result was another boost in the genre’s popularity, as online communities and dedicated labels realized its potential.

Today, drum and bass is a truly global genre, influencing mainstream EDM artists and DJs and regularly featuring at major music festivals.

What Does Drum and Bass Sound Like?

Drum and bass draws on a range of stylistic and production choices that give the genre its distinctive character and sound.

Sometimes cited as the toughest genre to produce, here are the core characteristics used in drum and bass tracks.

Rhythm & Tempo (165–180 BPM)

With a tempo range of 165 to 180 BPM, drum and bass is significantly faster than many other electronic dance music genres.

It’s comparable to contemporary hard techno, hard house, and gabba music, which also feature incredibly fast tempos.

Drum Patterns & Percussion

Drum and bass uses rapid-fire, scattered drums and percussion built around a breakbeat structure that maintains momentum.

The classic “Amen break” is often used in drum and bass productions, with many artists using samples and loops.

Bassline Style

Heavy low frequencies, undulating patterns, and a deep groove are all qualities you can expect in drum and bass basslines.

This sense of bouncy momentum plays into the genre’s dancefloor appeal, and is often its most memorable attribute.

Mood & Energy

The combination of energetic percussion and driving basslines gives drum and bass a darker mood with an authentic underground sensibility.

It’s music for serious clubbing events and headline moments designed to deliver high-energy peak-time moments.

What BPM Is Drum and Bass?

Drum and bass’s tempo range is relatively niche compared to many other electronic music genres, skewing to the higher end:

This makes it especially important to know the BPM of a given drum and bass track, especially when DJing open-format sessions.

With other genres sitting around the 125 to 140 BPM range, this means learning specific mixing techniques to manage tempo transitions.

Gradual tempo shifts that typically work for complementary genres must be dropped in favor of effects-driven transitions, or even hard cuts.

Related read: A guide to EDM BPM.

Drum and Bass vs Jungle vs Breakbeat

Drum and bass, jungle, and breakbeat share many similarities, but each has its own distinctive sound, tempo, and style. Here’s a quick comparison of the three genres:

Understanding these differences makes it easier to recognize what sets drum and bass apart while appreciating its shared roots with jungle and breakbeat.

Major Drum and Bass Subgenres

While drum and bass is sometimes classed under a general EDM music categorization, there are several distinct subgenres, including:

Liquid Drum and Bass

With its smooth melodies, soul-inspired vocals, and lush soundscapes, liquid drum and bass is an appropriately named subgenre.

Its flagship artists often blend elements of jazz and funk into their productions, with an uplifting vibe that makes it highly accessible.

Neurofunk

Emerging during the late 1990s, neurofunk’s darker, more brooding tone, paired with distorted basslines, lends it to underground clubs.

Highly complex drum patterns provide a relentless sense of momentum backed by technically precise sound engineering.

Jump Up

As the subgenre’s name implies, Jump Up is first and foremost oriented towards the dancefloor and high-energy moments.

Sound design is used to foreshadow heavy drops, with a more playful approach that invites the audience to participate.

Darkstep

For heavy and brooding atmosphere that capitalizes on drum and bass’s low-end frequencies, darkstep has it covered.

Industrial and, at times, horrifying, darkstep is packed with distortion and dramatic sounds that create an intense listening experience.

Intelligent Drum and Bass

Sometimes categorized alongside other “Intelligent Dance Music” releases, this subgenre is intricate and experimental.

It’s less club-friendly than other subgenres, with repeat listenability built into its complex and off-kilter production style.

Top 10 Best Drum and Bass Artists of All Time

With decades of history and a growing fanbase, drum and bass has paved the way for many exceptional DJ and production talents.

Here are the 10 best drum and bass artists of all time, from the genre’s founding producers to modern-day superstar DJs:

1. Goldie: Drum and bass’s early pioneer who elevated the genre and paved the way for its broader, commercial appeal.
2. Noisia: Icons of the neurofunk scene, this Dutch trio showcases the subgenre’s complex production aesthetics and intricate drum patterns.
3. Chase and Status: While the duo opts for a multi-genre approach to their discography, their contributions to drum and bass have brought it to mainstream audiences.
4. Dilinja: Renowned for his speaker-shaking basslines and hard-hitting sounds associated with the label Valve.
5. Andy C: Often listed among drum and bass’s greatest DJs, his work has spanned decades, with many mammoth DJ sessions.
6. High Contrast: Jazz-infused, soulful drum and bass is High Contrast’s trademark style, a mainstay of summer music festivals.
7. Photek: Few drum and bass artists have achieved Photek’s level of respect for production, with intricate, constantly evolving beats.
8. Sub Focus: Another innovator in the drum and bass scene, Sub Focus uses synths and vocals with elements of dubstep for mainstream appeal.
9. LTJ Bukem: Widely regarded as one of the pioneers of intelligent drum and bass through his label Good Looking Records, and one of the masters of atmosphere.
10. Netsky: A Belgian producer and DJ, Netsky’s broad approach to drum and bass and top-tier artistry has placed him firmly on the map.

Essential Drum and Bass Tracks

Whether you’re looking for peak-time bangers or are new to the genre, these important drum and bass tracks are a must:

1. “Inner City Life” – Goldie

A drum and bass track with a grandiose sense of scale and high-end production, “Inner City Life” transformed the general perception of the genre.

2. “Brown Paper Bag” – Roni Size

Roni Size dominated the UK drum and bass scene in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with “Brown Paper Bag” his anthem.

3. “Baddadan” – Chase & Status and Bou

“Baddadan” became one of the most commercially successful drum and bass releases of the 2020s and helped expose the genre to a wider audience.

Notable Drum and Bass Record Labels

Drum and bass labels put out consistently impressive original tracks and remixes, as well as some of the best DJ mixes available.

Notable record labels to add to your watchlist when seeking new or classic drum and bass releases include;

• Metalheadz: Established by Goldie in 1994, this label has a vast discography of forward-thinking and club-ready drum and bass classics.
• Valve Recordings: Dilinja and his collaborators released heavy and dark drum and bass through this label that showcased their custom-built 96k-watt Valve Sound System.
• Hospital Records: This iconic UK label balanced club-friendly 12″ releases with full-length albums that allowed artists to fully express their vision.
• RAM Records: Andy C’s label is another legacy platform that has forged the identity of drum and bass since the mid-1990s.

Learn more: CDJs vs controllers: what’s the difference?

How DJs Use Drum and Bass

Learning how to DJ drum and bass requires a different approach to the art form compared to genres such as house and techno:

Here’s how DJs use drum and bass, from the general mixing style to methods for building energy and transitioning between tracks:

Mixing Style

Precise beat-matching and the layering of multiple tracks are common mixing techniques used by drum and bass DJs.

Other techniques, such as double drops, are often deployed to capitalize on two versions of a track, similar to beat juggling in turntablism.

Energy Building in Sets

Drum and bass is inherently energetic, with DJs structuring their sets to maximize the impact and create a dynamic journey.

Incorporating subgenres like liquid drum and bass allows DJs to flow between lush, atmospheric tracks and darker-toned releases.

Transition Techniques

DJs use multiple transitions for drum and bass, from basic EQ blending and looping to the application of effects.

Many also apply scratching techniques, complemented by rapid cross-cuts that bounce between two tracks.

Crowd Response Strategy

Monitoring crowd reactions is vital for any DJ, and drum and bass DJs are adept at balancing energy levels and momentum.

This allows for on-the-fly DJ phrasing, the practice of swapping basslines, and introducing breakdowns at timely moments.

Where To Find Drum and Bass Music

Building a vast library of drum and bass is easy, whether you’re after classic physical media or gathering a digital collection.

Check out these essential drum and bass resources covering everything from mainstream hits to niche subgenres:

1. DJ Pools

DJ pools go back decades, originally set up to mail DJs the latest releases on vinyl records and evolving with digital music technology.

Today’s DJ pools provide access to thousands of tracks for a monthly subscription, spanning all electronic music genres.

Make sure you choose a DJ pool that covers drum and bass, along with its subgenres, as well as new and exclusive tracks and edits.

2. Digital Downloads

Building a bespoke collection of specific tracks can be accomplished through digital download stores like Beatport, Bleep, and Traxsource.

While individual purchases are relatively cheap, be aware that costs can soon add up when building a vast library of music.

3. Physical Media

With a back catalog extending to the early 1990s, classic drum and bass tracks are abundant for turntable DJs.

Check out local record stores, limited edition label releases, and even thrift stores to get your hands on rarer drum and bass tracks.

4. Streaming Services

Streaming services are the go-to platforms for modern music lovers, and can be invaluable when it comes to artists and label discovery.

You can also follow your favorite drum and bass artists to keep on top of new releases and any upcoming events.

If you’re DJing, be mindful of how streaming versus DJ pools in clubs may affect your performance in view of copyright laws.

Read this next: How to become an EDM DJ.

Drum and Bass Today and Beyond

With its dedicated fanbase and global appeal, drum and bass remains a powerful force in the electronic dance music scene.

New genres, including drum and bass for babies to sleep to, are emerging, influenced by advancements in sound design.

As the best American DJs adopt the genre in their flagship sets, drum and bass’s future in the music scene is bright.

Summary

Drum and bass has grown from its roots in the UK’s underground rave scene into one of electronic music’s most influential and energetic genres.

With its fast tempos, intricate breakbeats, powerful basslines, and diverse subgenres, it continues to inspire DJs, producers, and music fans around the world.

Whether you’re discovering the genre for the first time or expanding your music library, drum and bass offers a rich history and an unmistakable sound that’s built for the dance floor.