beats and breaks

From Breakbeats to the Beat: A Groovy History of Breaks

A Little History:

The story of beats and breaks is a funky fusion of musical evolution and creative exploration. It all started with the birth of breakbeats in the 1970s, a sonic innovation that changed the face of music forever. Imagine a DJ, bored during a slow song, spinning the record backwards to create a rhythmic loop – that’s where it all began.

These initial breakbeats, often taken from funk and soul records, were used to create a rhythmic foundation for early hip hop music. DJs like Grandmaster Flash, known for his mind-blowing scratching skills, crafted these loops into infectious beats that propelled the genre forward.

The Rise of Breakbeat Music:

As the 80s rolled in, breakbeats evolved into a genre of their own, breakbeat music, incorporating elements of funk, jazz, and electronic music. Artists like The Bomb Squad and The Jungle Brothers pushed the boundaries, creating complex beats and innovative rhythms that influenced everything from drum and bass to jungle music.

Funny Fact: The legendary breakbeat DJ, Kool Herc, was known for his “Merry Go Round” technique, where he would play a record backwards and forwards repeatedly to create a continuous loop. He even made a “merry go round” by placing his turntable on a Lazy Susan!

The Breaks Today:

Today, the influence of breaks is undeniable, spanning genres from EDM to trap music. Breakbeat artists like Fatboy Slim and The Chemical Brothers continue to push the boundaries, injecting their own unique flavors into the ever-evolving world of beats and breaks.

A Final Note: The history of breaks is filled with a vibrant cast of characters – from the pioneers who first experimented with loops to the modern-day artists who continue to innovate. So next time you’re grooving to a breakbeat, remember the history and the humor that brought us this vibrant and ever-evolving genre.