Drum and Bass (DnB): Origins, Reference Tracks, & more
Time to Read – 6 minutes
Drum and Bass Summary: Drum and Bass (DnB) is a high-velocity, bass-forward style of dance music born from early-90s UK rave and jungle culture. It pairs rapid-fire breakbeats (typically ~170 BPM) with heavy sub-bass and crisp, syncopated percussion. Today, DnB spans club-ready anthems and melodic, liquid rollers—yet it always centers on momentum, groove, and low-end power.
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- What is Drum and Bass?
- Reference Tracks
- The Origins & Evolution of Drum and Bass
- Variations of Drum and Bass
- Liquid DnB:
- Liquid Drum and Bass is a melodic and atmospheric subgenre that emerged in the late 1990s. Influenced by jazz, soul, and ambient sounds, it features smooth basslines, lush pads, and emotive vocals. Popular artists include High Contrast, Netsky, Calibre, and LSB, who helped define its balance of energy and melody.
- Jungle:
- Jungle is the foundation of Drum and Bass, developed in early 1990s UK rave culture. Known for chopped breakbeats, deep sub-bass, and reggae or dancehall influences, it carried a raw and underground sound. Pioneers like Goldie, Shy FX, LTJ Bukem, and Roni Size shaped jungle into a movement that still influences modern DnB.
- Jump-Up:
- Jump-Up is an energetic branch of Drum and Bass that rose in the mid-1990s. Recognized for its bouncy basslines and playful drops, it became a staple in rave culture. Artists such as DJ Hazard, Macky Gee, Sub Zero, and Original Sin pushed the sound onto festival mainstages while keeping its party-first spirit intact.
- Final Thoughts
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What is Drum and Bass?
Drum and Bass (DnB) is a fast-paced branch of electronic dance music driven by chopped breakbeats, deep sub-bass, and precision drum programming. Emerging from UK rave and pirate radio hubs in the early 90s, DnB evolved out of hardcore, breakbeat, and jungle—streamlining the chaos into razor-sharp grooves built for dark rooms and massive sound systems. Over time it diversified: from soulful, vocal-led liquid to snarling neurofunk and rowdy jump-up, the common DNA is speed, swing, and sub pressure.
Reference Tracks
Wildfire – Sub Focus
GO BACK – John Summit & Sub Focus
The Beginning – Sullivan King
The Origins & Evolution of Drum and Bass
Born from hardcore and breakbeat at the dawn of the 90s, DnB crystallized as producers tightened drum edits, deepened sub-bass, and pushed tempos upward. Pirate radio, specialist labels, and iconic clubs championed the sound; by the mid-90s, polished albums and chart moments nudged DnB into the mainstream. Through the 2000s and 2010s it globalized—balancing underground grit with radio-ready songwriting—before surging anew in the 2020s with fresh faces and festival-scale moments.
1990s
Origin
Drum and Bass emerged in the UK out of jungle, hardcore, and breakbeat culture. Artists like Goldie, LTJ Bukem, and Roni Size helped define the sound, with faster tempos and heavy basslines.
2000s
Expansion
The genre splintered into styles like Liquid DnB (High Contrast, Calibre), Jump-Up (DJ Hazard, Sub Zero), and Neurofunk (Ed Rush & Optical). DnB reached wider audiences through labels like Hospital Records.
2010s
Evolution
Festivals such as Let It Roll solidified DnB as a mainstage genre. Artists like Netsky, Andy C, and Noisia pushed both mainstream and underground appeal.
2020s – Present
Current Stages of DnB
Drum and Bass thrives worldwide, with a resurgence in the UK charts and strong scenes in Europe, New Zealand, and North America. Artists like Dimension, Hedex, and Wilkinson bridge underground credibility with mass appeal.
Variations of Drum and Bass
From soulful, vocal-driven rollers to snarling, tech-leaning workouts, DnB’s substyles reflect different dancefloor moods. Here are three of the most visible flavors:
Liquid DnB:
Liquid Drum and Bass is a melodic and atmospheric subgenre that emerged in the late 1990s. Influenced by jazz, soul, and ambient sounds, it features smooth basslines, lush pads, and emotive vocals. Popular artists include High Contrast, Netsky, Calibre, and LSB, who helped define its balance of energy and melody.
Jungle:
Jungle is the foundation of Drum and Bass, developed in early 1990s UK rave culture. Known for chopped breakbeats, deep sub-bass, and reggae or dancehall influences, it carried a raw and underground sound. Pioneers like Goldie, Shy FX, LTJ Bukem, and Roni Size shaped jungle into a movement that still influences modern DnB.
Jump-Up:
Jump-Up is an energetic branch of Drum and Bass that rose in the mid-1990s. Recognized for its bouncy basslines and playful drops, it became a staple in rave culture. Artists such as DJ Hazard, Macky Gee, Sub Zero, and Original Sin pushed the sound onto festival mainstages while keeping its party-first spirit intact.
Final Thoughts
From pirate radio basements to festival main stages, Drum and Bass stays laser-focused on rhythm and low-end movement. Whether you crave soulful liquid, gritty neuro, or peak-time jump-up, DnB delivers a singular rush that keeps dancefloors surging.
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