Dubstep

Dub step is a new genre within electronic dance music. The best way to recognize a dubstep track or mix is by the reverberating sub-bass that is present in most productions. The sub-bass is reverberated at different speeds to give a sense of movement and insistence. The tracks are typically higher in BPM, ranging between 138 and 142 typically. The style does not favor four-to-the-floor beats, instead relying on spaced, syncopated percussion that the listener typically adds their own mental metronome to.

 Recent incarnations of the genre have found life through dubstep remixes of popular artists like La Roux and Lady Gaga. Newer artists such as Nero incorporate dubstep into their drum and bass and layering it with new vocals to create a more accessible sound. Most recently, singer Britney Spears has tapped into this rising trend in her song "Hold It Against Me," that features the sub-bass frequencies and syncopated beats during the bridge segment.
Origin: Arising in the late 90s/early 00s, the genre has lately seen a more pronounced foothold in mainstream music. Dub step originated from dub remixes of 2-step garage that was taking over London at the time. Remixers attempted to introduce new sounds into the 2-step genre, resulting in a sound that would soon require its own name. Dubstep, the word, is simply the combination of "dub" and "2-step".