SoundsField recordingsFrequenciesDecibelsInstrumentsGlossaryToolsLearn
  1. Home
  2. Music genres
  3. Jamaica
  4. Dub music: Origins, Sound & Key Artists
Music genre

Dub music

Dub music is a music genre that emerged in Jamaica in the 1960s. It is usually classed as a form of popular music. Explore key artists and related styles.

Listen: Dub music examples

Red Lunar Skywalker - Prophecy of Realization
3:30Public domainby Red Lunar SkywalkerWikimedia Commons
3:30

Tip: press play to see the sound's live frequency spectrum in blue over the waveform.

About Dub music

Dub music is a music genre that emerged in Jamaica in the 1960s. It is usually classed as a form of popular music.

Artists closely associated with the genre include UB40, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Burning Spear, Max Romeo and Gotan Project.

From Wikipedia

Dub is a musical style that grew out of reggae in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It is commonly considered a subgenre of reggae, though it has developed to extend beyond that style. Generally, dub consists of remixes of existing recordings created by significantly manipulating the original, usually through the removal of vocal parts, emphasis of the rhythm section (the stripped-down drum-and-bass track is sometimes referred to as a riddim), the application of studio effects such as delay and reverb, and the occasional dubbing of vocal or instrumental snippets from the original version or other works.

Genre family tree

Parent genres (↑) and subgenres (↓) of Dub music.

Key artists

  • UB40
  • Lee "Scratch" Perry
  • Burning Spear
  • Max Romeo
  • Gotan Project

Related genres

Frequently asked questions

What is Dub music?

Dub music is a music genre that emerged in Jamaica in the 1960s. It is usually classed as a form of popular music.

Where and when did Dub music originate?

Dub music originated in Jamaica in the 1960s.

Who are famous Dub music artists?

UB40, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Burning Spear, Max Romeo and Gotan Project.

Sources & credits