Prepare for face-melting bass drops and robotic growls. 127–142 BPM.
Brostep is a subgenre of dubstep that emerged in the late 2000s, characterized by aggressive, robotic bass growls, high BPM (127-142), and intense, often chaotic drops. It gained mainstream popularity through artists like Skrillex, who brought a more abrasive, metal-influenced sound to the genre.
The defining artists of Brostep — the names that shaped the sound. Tap to hear on Spotify.
The classic anthems and current essentials that define Brostep.
Brostep is defined by aggressive, robotic bass growls, high-pitched synth leads, and rapid, syncopated drum patterns. The rhythm is typically half-time at 140 BPM, with intense build-ups leading to heavy, distorted drops. Snares are often layered with claps and placed on the 3rd beat, while kicks hit on the 1st and sometimes 4th. The overall feel is chaotic, energetic, and designed for mosh pits.
Brostep originated in the UK in the late 2000s, evolving from the darker, more minimal sounds of early dubstep. Producers like Skrillex and Excision pushed the genre towards a more aggressive, high-energy style, incorporating elements from metal and electro house.
By the early 2010s, Brostep exploded in popularity, particularly in North America, becoming a staple at festivals like Electric Daisy Carnival and Ultra. Its heavy, distorted bass and rapid-fire rhythms appealed to a younger audience, leading to collaborations with hip-hop and pop artists.
Culturally, Brostep was both celebrated for its innovation and criticized for straying from dubstep's roots. It sparked debates within the electronic music community, but its impact on bass music and festival culture is undeniable, paving the way for future genres like riddim.
How Brostep is built — drum pattern, swing, and the sounds you need.
For drum patterns, use a half-time feel with kicks on 1 and 4, snares on 3, and fast hi-hats (16th or 32nd notes). Add swing to hi-hats for groove, but keep kicks and snares tight. BPM ranges 127-142, with 140 being most common.
Key sounds include massive, distorted bass patches (often using FM synthesis like Massive or Serum), growls created with vocoders or formant filters, and high-pitched, arpeggiated leads. Layer multiple bass sounds for depth. Use sidechain compression on pads to create pumping effects. Build tension with risers and white noise sweeps before drops.
Press play here, or open the playlist in Spotify. Best for Mosh pits, Festival main stages, High-intensity workouts.
The playlist is hosted on Spotify and plays through its official player. The guide — sound, history, artists and tracks — is put together by Dropo, and every artist and track links to Spotify so you can check it by ear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How Dropo is made →