Breakbeat

: This article is about breakbeat, the electronic dance music genre. For the technique, and the meaning of the term with hip-hop and funk music see break (music).

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Breakbeat (breakbeats or breaks), are a collection of sub-genres of electronic music, chiefly exemplified by drum and bass and jungle, usually characterized by a non-straighted 4/4 drum pattern (as opposed to the steady beat of house or trance). These rhythms may be characterised by their use of syncopation and polyrhythms, which are prominent in all music of African origin, including much Afro-American music. Much breakbeat based music proceeds from the sampled drum parts of old funk and jazz records, see break.

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In recent times, the term breakbeat has become synonymous for many with the genre of breaks music (sometimes known as nu skool breaks), which has become very popular within the global dance music scene, with DJs from a variety of genres, such as house and techno, working breaks tracks into their sets. This may occur because the tempo of breaks tracks (ranging from 115 to 150 beats per minute) means they can be readily mixed with these genres, whereas the comparatively fast speed of jungle and drum and bass (165-180 bpm) may have restricted the utility of these subgenres to DJs playing slower-tempo music.

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Breakbeat (or funky breakbeat) may also refer to the music of bands such as Breakestra, who play funk and soul music with an emphasis on the elements that would become popular in hip-hop and later breaks-based music.

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Hip-hop: Hip hop is a cultural movement that originated in the working class communities of New York City, United States, in the late 1970s. Other elements include beatboxing, hip hop fashion, and slang. Since first emerging in the South Bronx, hip hop culture has spread around the world. When hip hop music ...

Funk: Funk is a distinct style of music originated by African-Americans, e.g., James Brown and his band members (especially Maceo and Melvin Parker), and groups like The Meters....

Break (music): :This article is about a break as a section of a musical work and break beats. For the genre, see breakbeat. For the concept of a break in a rank of pipes in a pipe organ, see break (pipe organ)....