Freshly Serious x TheFreakBeat: Dubstep for Dummies

For the last two plus years dupstep has been steady booming thru stateside club woofers with no apparent signs of falling back (if you’re in the UK, yes we understand us Yankees are habitual latepassers). And although it’s still managed to solidify itself as a legitimate sound, a large majority of the US freeworld are still unable to grasp whats going on. Most likely this is due to jumping on board after the fact.

Now don’t get us wrong, we adhere to the lanes of our own. If we drop prose we understand and have full knowledge of what we’re talking about. But humbly speaking Dubstep is not one of those subjects. So when accosted with the magic question, “What the hell is a dubstep?”, we decided to go to a reliable source. Having recently launched one of the few stateside dubstep labels (Freakstep Records), frequent reader an online partner in crime Zone3 was our go to source. Since our humble days on Tumblr, he’s been dropping dubstep jewels on his own innanet real estate, TheFreakBeat. So when we tossed up the idea of a guest feature, he was down for the count. The end result, a solid list of 10 essential dubstep tracks, complete with hi quality 320 downloads. That being said lets GO!!!

[sws_divider_line]“When asked to make a list of dubstep tracks, it was no easy task since there are so many good ones in my opinion and it’s all I listen to every day. This top ten is meant for the listener NEW to Dubstep or perhaps just discovering it.  It is meant to be my favorite, and most influential tracks that propelled dubstep into it’s popular state.  This is not an all inclusive “best of” but merely a selection of what I will admit is weighted towards UK Dubstep.  If I were to create a list of what Dubstep is hot now it would include more dubstep from the states. I just hope this list sparks debate and if you disagree, leave a comment.  If you want a daily dose of dubstep check my blog THE FREAK BEAT.” ~ Zone3[sws_divider_line]

Distance “V”
	I first heard this song on Rusko & Caspa’s FabricLive #37 mix in 2007, and it made me say “What the F%^* is that?”  I was immediately hooked on the dubstep sound. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. [Distance - V] (89)[sws_divider_line]

Chase+Status “Eastern Jam”

This was everywhere when it came out and was one of the first dubstep songs I started to hear in the clubs. It has a massive “drop” when the bass hits. A definite crowd pleaser. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. DOWNLOAD [Chase+Status - Eastern Jam] (118)

Doctor P “Sweet Shop”
	This was a huge crossover hit around 2010 and since then it’s been remixed and played out millions of times. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. DOWNLOAD [Doctor P - Sweet Shop] (65)

Benga “Man on a Mission”

Benga is in a group with Skream called Magnetic Man. They’ve blown up large in Europe.  This song was turned into a massive hit called “Katy On a Mission” by Katy B. Same track, with different lyrics. I like this verison more. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. DOWNLOAD [Benga - Man On A Mission] (122)

Datsik, Excision “Swagga” Original Mix

I had to have some Canadian representation on the list, seeing as though dubstep is huge in Canada.  These guys run Rottun Records a major dubstep label with a more “darker” and “heavy” sound. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. DOWNLOAD [Datsik, Excision - Swagga (Original Mix)] (93)

Flux Pavilion “Got 2 Know” VIP Version

A “VIP” is a usually long reworking of a track that comes out after the initial release that’s more dj friendly. Flux Pavilion runs Circus records and he has perfected the slamming bass sound some haters refer to as “brostep” Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. DOWNLOAD [Flux Pavillion - Got 2 Know : VIP] (76)

Borgore “Ice Cream”
	Borgore is a phenomena from Israel.  He has Hip Hop and Grime influence’s with simple lyrics and heavy bass. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. DOWNLOAD [Borgore - Ice Cream] (140)

La Roux “In For The Kill” Last Japan Skream Edit

Skream is one of the founders of dubstep and this is a re-edit of his amazing track that swept the club nation by storm in 2009. This is the first dubstep track I heard on college radio (88.5). It also has a wicked drum and bass breakdown. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. DOWNLOAD [La Roux - In for The Kill] (144)

Nero “Innocence”
	These guys have done a great job of promotion with crazy youtube music videos and a very distinct sound. they are also from the UK. This is one of they’re major clubs bangers. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. DOWNLOAD [Nero - Innocence] (116)

Rusko “Cockney Thug”

I am not sure what movie the vocal sample is from. I think it is Bob Hoskins speaking. Rusko is from the UK and he really is the spearhead of Dubstep and the cause of it’s infectious spread.  This probably comes from the 2nd wave of dubstep that really started around 2007 Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. DOWNLOAD [Rusko - Cockney Thug] (75)

[sws_divider_line]There it is. As stated we know our lanes. All you veteran aficionados, remember this is not meant to be the definitive Dub Sea Scrolls.  We dropped this guest post for the curious. But being the hustlers of culture that we are, we felt this drop was well over due. As with every genre of music, you get it or you don’t. If you don’t just fall back and keep it moving. Don’t forget to drop by THE FREAK BEAT for more heat. We outchea!