Wonky (genre)

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Wonky is a subgenre of electronic dance music known primarily for its off-kilter or "unstable" beats, as well as its eclectic, colorful blend of genres including hip-hop, electro-funk, 8-bit, jazz fusion, glitch, and crunk. [1] [2] Artists associated with the style include Joker, Rustie, Hudson Mohawke, Zomby, and Flying Lotus. [1] [2] The genre includes the microgenre aquacrunk and is related to purple sound. [3] [1]

Contents

History

Wonky initially emerged in 2008 as a colorful, exuberant style drawing on hip hop, synth-funk, glitchy electronica, and more eclectic influences, in contrast with the austere sound of the UK's ongoing dubstep and grime scenes. [4] Other influences included American hip hop producers J Dilla and Madlib, with some artists drawing more explicitly on an instrumental hip-hop sound rather than dubstep. [4] The term "wonky" has been rejected by various artists associated with the style. [2]

Characteristics

Wonky is known for its off-kilter rhythms and typically features garish synthesizer tones, melodies, and effects. [3] The "unstable" sound of wonky is often achieved by producing unquantised beats, abandoning the metronomic precision of much electronic music. [4] Artists also use heavy sub-bass, which has been attributed to synergistic effects of bass with the drug ketamine, which became popular in UK clubs during the dubstep era. [4] BBC Music called it a style of "slightly out-of-phase beats and synthesisers that wobble woozily, like they've warped after being left out in the sun." [5]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Martin Clark (2008-04-30). "Grime / Dubstep". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2016-07-18.
  2. 1 2 3 Reynolds, Simon (2011). Retromania: Pop Culture's Addiction to Its Own Past. Farrah, Straus & Giroux. p. 76. ISBN   9781429968584.
  3. 1 2 Thomas de Chroustchoff, Gwyn. "The Dummy guide to purple". Dummy Mag. Archived from the original on 11 October 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Reynolds, Simon (5 March 2009). "Feeling wonKy: is it ketamine's turn to drive club culture?". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  5. ↑ Pattison, Louis (2009). "Hudson Mohawke - Butter - Review". BBC Music . Retrieved April 28, 2015.
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