If you’re looking for a recent update on the new drum and bass music of 2023, tune into this compilation.
You can find a variety of electronic playlists on our site. Yet, you’ll find THIS to be the first that is solely based on the DNB subgenre.
Drum and Bass, a genre of music that consists of breakbeats and drum samples that derive from jazz, funk, soul, R&B, mixed with an electronic spin.
A Brief History of DNB
In the early 90’s the United Kingdom rave scene introduced a new era to its followers by adding hip-hop beats over the breakbeats, while speeding up the tempo and pitching the tune higher.
The drum and bass scene derived its sound from Jamaican and Dance Hall communities. Whom molded their ragga and a dub sound to form “Jungle” music. DJs and producers would loop breakbeats sampled from well-known songs. These songs include James Brown’s “Cold Sweat”, “Funky Drummer” and The Winstons “Amen, Brother”.
This melting pot of genre’s and samples inspired the creation of various subgenre’s such as deep house, breakbeatcore, UK garage, dubstep, and as you may have guessed it, drum and bass.
The Rise of Record Labels
To name some of the most influential names in drum and bass, we can start with RAM Records. The award-winning drum and bass record label was curated in 1992. Andy C and Ant Miles were determined and pushed towards founding a home for the newly recognized genre.
MetalHeadz Records was founded by Goldie in 1994 alongside duo DJs Kemistry & Storm who managed the company until 1999. (This was the year DJ Kemistry passed, RIP DJ Kemistry.)
Critical Music continued to carry the spirit of drum and bass in 2002. Kasra Mowlavi designed the British independent record label based in London, England. He persevered by gathering like-minded artists to keep the drum and bass scene alive.
The history of drum and bass is extensive, but the genre of music continues to live on to this day through newer labels such as 1985 Music.
We have compiled a list including some of the most recent releases to update breakbeat lovers of the drum and bass in 2023. The list also shines a spotlight on rising producers and DJs who are deeply integrated in the sector of music that consists of meticulously crafted break-beats and electronic melodies.
MetalHeadz
If you’re looking for the newest releases from the UK Label, check out their “Newest Releases” playlist on Spotify. Composed of over 70 songs and calculating at about 6 hours, you might find your favorite new song or artist.
Fun fact, the label is featured monthly on Rinse Kool FM, a radio broadcast station founded in 1991. Yet, it wasn’t until 1998-99 when the station changed it’s direction to playing garage music. This is when it gained a following for its darker sound that was inspired by jungle music. Rinse Kool FM features a variety of electronic sub-generes that airs in London and online to those who choose to stream.
RAM Records
You can check out RAM Records on Spotify to stay up to date with their “New Drum & Bass Essentials” playlist. Featuring artists that are not signed to the label, RAM records stays humble by sharing their picks for artists in the game to keep an eye out for.
Critical Music
YAANO returns to Critical Music to release an EP set at 11 minutes and 17 seconds distributed between 3 songs. Each song exploring different forms of DNB and some find include from producer VISLA and Manchester MC Sparkz.
Released on October 27th by Haolgenix, Viper Style and Lana, are still as relevant as ever. Track one uses break-beats to coincide with with heavy bass that only this legendary producer can master. The lyrics “they think they can clone my technique, I will show them the real ways of the viper” exemplifies the vast experience that lies behind this iconic producer. The second track distorts the word “Lana” as the breakbeats lead you down the trail into deep bass.
1985 Music
