Dubstep music hailing from Los Angeles, also known as brostep, has recently gained recognition from UNESCO and joined the list of intangible cultural heritage (ICH). This comes just after Berlin techno was given a nod by the awarding body in Germany. Based on the “cultural phenomenon” tag, UNESCO’s awarding team finds brostep deserving of this honour.
Joining five other entries, namely Erewhon, cosmetic surgery, marijuana, Acai bowls, and traditional Californian dance of shuffling, brostep is now part of California’s cultural heritage list. Skrillex, Modestep, Excision, Flux Pavilion, Knife Party, and Deadmau5 are among the artists who have been credited for pioneering the distinct sound. LA’s mayor noted that it’s “unlike anything else – a sound of its own.”
Karen Bass, the Mayor of Los Angeles, further praised the brostep genre at the awards ceremony. She said: “Brostep is a deeply reflective genre that transcends time, looks to the future, and is loved by generation after generation.” Last weekend, Skrillex, known for his introspective works like ‘Kill Everybody’ and ‘Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites,’ rose to the occasion to receive the prestigious prize from the event. Additionally, he took the chance to thank his “best friend” Fred again for supporting him all the years.
Canadian DJ Excision also earned recognition for his unique Shrek visuals that feature in his performances over the last several months. The one-of-a-kind visuals show Shrek reaching through the screen and vomiting on the DJ decks. UNESCO gave credit to LA artists like Marshmello and Skrillex, saying, “The EDM-ification of dance music feels so new and fresh. I can’t wait to see where it goes next.”
UNESCO’s Bang Aran, who is one of the individuals responsible for awarding brostep the recognition, said: “I can’t think of any predecessors who have done dubstep better.” Aran added that the brostep sound has a long-lasting effect on listeners from different generations.
As brostep is added to the list, it offers not only cultural value but also presents a range of possibilities for development in the content of electronic music today
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