What is dubstep? What about it makes people love it or hate it, reject it or absorb it? What makes it sound so powerful when you blast it from your stereo or hum it to yourself quietly?

Dubstep is not a distinctive instrument sound. It is not a piano or a guitar, or somebody’s voice. But I do not think that dubstep is necessarily music you are supposed to think about. It is the kind of music that you turn up way too loud and head bang to.

Dubstep originated in London in the beginning of the 21st century although it had remained mostly underground until 2006. Dubstep DJs started playing in clubs in large cities including Houston at that time, helping the music gain popularity in North America.

You have to admit whether you are addicted or cannot stand it, dubstep in some instances will make your jaw drop. It will make you scream, cry, or just say wow. Ultimately, you cannot deny that dubstep has influenced more popular bands like M.I.A or LMFAO.

Even with a strong techno beat, many bands still cannot seem to match the intensity created by dubstep collaborators like Skrillex or Nero. One thing students can agree upon is that dubstep is taking off at our school.

“I love how you can just relax to it,” junior Alfredo Soto said, “it’s unique and very diverse. It’s great”.

Dubstep is the newest type of music to go mainstream at Cinco and whether I am in class or out in the parking lot, I seem to hear students talking about the genre, or playing it themselves.

“I love how it just builds up until it gets until the final drop” Sabrina Malanado said.

 To some listeners, dubstep may be relaxing or a good time, but to junior Korey Moore, it seems to mean much more than that.

“To me, dubstep is a whole bunch of crazy sounds that people put together, and it makes sense to me. It’s the greatest thing I’ve ever heard”, Moore said.

So what is dubstep, and what does it sound like? While many people may not know how to answer the question, senior Eternal Lokumbe answers the best she can.

“I don’t really know how to explain it.” Lokumbe said “I guess there’s a part of me that really loves to escape from reality and listening to dubstep makes me sort of feel like I’m entering into another universe.”