Womp Womp Womp: Media Meditation 2

Dubstep, a revolution taking over music. According to Wikipedia, dubstep first came onto the music scene in 1998. For the last thirteen years, I believe, dubstep has been a part of the underground scene but over the past couple years it has made it's way into many college students' iTunes. Now, I am by no means an expert on dubstep whatsoever, I am just becoming a regular listener. But what I do know is that before I stepped onto Champlain College campus I had no idea what dubstep was or that it even existed. To this day, I am still uncertain of what exactly Dubstep is but I am learning. I know that it is a a type of techno music, more along the lines of electric dance music and not as hardcore as techno which is a type of music that I really don't enjoy listening too. Even though dubstep is a variation of techno, I believe it to be a lot more enjoyable to listen to. I think it might be because dubstep music is a lot of songs that have been altered and more bass and drums have been added to the background music therefore there are still lyrics and singing involved in these songs. Whenever I want to dance or in the mood to have a good time I always look to my friends, who are much more into Dubstep than me, to turn up some of their favorite dubstep mixes.

Some of dubstep artists I've heard of/listened to...


Bassnectar
Photo Cred: http://bonafidedarling.blogspot.com/2010/07/bassnectar-magical-world.html


Datsik
Photo Cred: http://majesticdetroit.com/2010/06/04/datsik-borgore-2/


Major Lazer
Photo Cred: http://mixtapemaestro.net/2010/02/major-lazer-featuring-elephant-man-halo-beyonce-cover.html

Rusko
Photo Cred: http://goingotherplaces.com/2008/12/rusko-destroys-the-essential-mix/




What I find most interesting about dubstep is not just the unusual sounds and beats that these artists come up with but how lately, is is going mainstream. Pop artists all over the radio have been employing dubstep in their music. The best and most recent example that made me even think of this blog post to begin with is Britney Spears' newest single "Hold It Against Me."

The beginning of the song (0-35 seconds) then after the first chorus is comes back in in the background (around 1:04) then again it comes in very strong and it's a little dubstep breakdown (around 2:14). It's funny to me how underground music that I've never heard of before coming to college is now incorporated in the "Queen of Pop" Britney Spears' latest single, one of the most mainstream songs at the moment.

When I first heard dubstep at my first college party my Reptilian brain kicked in causing me to have a "flight" reaction to the music. I was honestly scared when I heard my first dubstep song. But since then, I have employed both my Limbic and Neocortical brains to listen and fully understand the beauty and intelligence behind this new-wave genre of music.

I recommend anyone who is open to new music to take a look at some dubstep. If you're a little wary at first just go to YouTube and search (insert your favorite dance song here) dubstep remix and I can ensure you that something is likely to pop up. Listen to that and continue exploring from there. Wanna dance? Listen to dubstep.