The Complete Guide to Drum & Bass Genres
Everything you need to know about Drum & Bass subgenres. From jungle and neurofunk to liquid and jump-up—the history, the sounds, the artists.
Drum & Bass is not one sound—it's a family of subgenres, each with its own history, tempo, and attitude. Born in the UK rave scene of the early 90s, DnB has splintered into jungle, neurofunk, jump-up, dancefloor, liquid, and more. This guide walks you through the main branches and where they came from.
Whether you're new to the genre or deepening your knowledge, here's your roadmap to the Drum & Bass universe.
The Main Subgenres
Jungle: Origins of UK Rave Culture
Jungle is where it all started—breakbeats, ragga samples, sub-bass, and that raw early-90s energy. The blueprint for everything that followed.
Neurofunk: The Dark Side of Drum & Bass
Neurofunk took DnB into darker, more technical territory. Industrial sounds, complex basslines, and a sci-fi edge.
Jump Up: The Most Controversial Subgenre
Jump-up is loud, catchy, and divisive. Bouncy basslines, simple arrangements, and massive drops. Love it or hate it, it moves dancefloors.
Dancefloor: Festival Anthems Explained
Dancefloor DnB is built for big rooms and festival stages. Melodic, accessible, and designed to lift the crowd.
Liquid: Smooth but Heavy
Liquid Drum & Bass brings melody, soul, and atmosphere without sacrificing the weight. Smooth on the surface, heavy underneath.
And it doesn't stop there: darkstep, deep, minimal, rollers, halftime, and many hybrid styles keep pushing DnB forward.
A Brief History
Drum & Bass grew out of UK hardcore and jungle in the early 90s. As breakbeats got faster and bass got deeper, the sound split: some stayed with ragga and amen breaks (jungle), others went darker (techstep, neurofunk), more melodic (liquid), or more commercial (dancefloor, jump-up). Today, all these strands coexist—often on the same lineup.
How to Use This Guide
Use the links above to dive into each subgenre. Each article covers the sound, key artists, and where to hear it—live or at home.
Want to experience these genres in Barcelona? Check out DnB crews in the city and where they throw parties.