The Ultimate Guide To EDM Genres and how to Identify Them in 2023

Electronic dance music (EDM) has been around since the 1970s, beginning with the emergence of electronic instruments such as the synthesizer. Early pioneers of the genre, like Giorgio Moroder, created some of the most iconic dance music of the era. The late 1980s and early 1990s saw the rise of genres like Chicago house, Detroit techno, and acid house, which gave EDM a more underground sound and feel. 

This era also saw the birth of rave culture and the popularity of dance music festivals, such as the legendary Love Parade in Berlin. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, EDM began to gain mainstream appeal thanks to artists such as Daft Punk, who created a more accessible sound. This period also saw the emergence of genres like trance, progressive house, and electro house. 

Today, EDM is one of the most popular genres of music, with festivals like Ultra Music Festival and Tomorrowland becoming some of the biggest events in the world. Artists like Calvin Harris, Skrillex, and Diplo have become some of the biggest names in the industry, and EDM is now a staple of the pop music landscape. 

The following are the popular EDM genres of music that are played at the parties that include: 

1. House

House music is a style of EDM genre that originated in the 1980s. It is characterized by a repetitive four-on-the-floor beat, a prominent kick drum on every beat, and a synthesized bassline. It is often described as a combination of funk, soul, disco, and electronic music. House music is often played in nightclubs and dance music festivals around the world. 

To identify house music, listen for a four-on-the-floor beat, a prominent kick drum, and a synthesized bassline. You may also hear percussive, repetitive elements such as hi-hats, snares, and claps. Additionally, house music often features spoken-word samples, layered keyboard melodies, and drum machine sounds.

Famous Subgenres 

Deep House, Progressive House, Electro House, Tech House, Tribal House are some of the notable Subgenres of House Music.

Famous Artists 

David Guetta, Deadmau5, Avicii, Swedish House Mafia, Frankie Knuckles, Afrojack, Hardwell, Daft Punk, Claude Von Stroke, Benny Benassi, Zedd, Wolfgang Gartner, Danny Tenaglia, Erick Morillo, Sasha are some of the Famous Artists that Play House Music

Famous Record Labels 

Spinnin‘, Anjunadeep, Musical Freedom, Size Records, Revealed Recordings, Toolroom Records, 100% Pure, Dirtybird Records, Ed Banger Records are the famous record labels that sign House Music Artists.

2. Techno

Techno is an EDM genre that originated in Detroit, Michigan, during the mid-to-late 1980s. It is generally characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat, synthesizers, and drum machines. It is often recognized by its spacey, robotic-sounding synth lines, complex percussion and a steady bassline. It can also be identified by its use of minimalist arrangements, with a focus on simple melodies and hypnotic grooves.

Famous Subgenres

Minimal techno, Ambient techno, Hardcore techno, Industrial techno, Intelligent Dance Music (IDM), Detroit techno are some of the notable Sub Genres of techno Music.

Famous Artists 

Carl Cox, Richie Hawtin, Derrick May, Juan Atkins, Victor Calderone, Nicole Moudaber, Adam Beyer, UMEK, Chris Liebing, Brodinski, Gessaffelstein, Boys Noize are some of the Famous Artists that Play techno Music

Famous Record Labels 

Music On, Intec Digital, Drumcode, Bromance Records, Boys Noize Records  are the famous record labels that sign techno Music Artists.

3. Trance

Trance music is a style of EDM genre characterized by a tempo usually around 130-150 beats per minute, repeating melodic phrases, and a musical form that builds up and down throughout a track. Trance music is often classified as having a progressive, uplifting and energetic feel. 

Common characteristics of trance music include a steady beat and a tempo that builds up and down throughout the track. Trance music is also often characterized by its use of synthesizers and its melodic breakdowns. To identify trance music, look for a steady beat, a progressive and uplifting feel, and a melodic breakdown that builds up and down throughout the track.

Famous Subgenres

Progressive Trance, Vocal Trance,Tech Trance,Psytrance are some of the notable Subgenres of trance Music.

Famous Artists 

Armin Van Buuren, Tiēsto, Roger Shah, Above & Beyond, Markus Schulz, Ferry Corsten, Judge Jules, Dash Berlin, Aly & Fila, Paul Oakenfold, BT are some of the Famous Artists that Play trance Music

Famous Record Labels 

Armada Records, Anjunabeats, Garuda, Magic I, AVA Recordings, Perfecto Records are the famous record labels that sign trance music Artists.

4. Dubstep

Dubstep is a type of EDM genre that originated in South London in the late 1990s. It is characterized by its heavy use of syncopated drum and bass rhythms, sparse and wonky melodies, and its signature wobble bass sound. 

Dubstep typically has a slower tempo than other EDM genres, and its songs often have a dark, brooding atmosphere. To identify Dubstep, look for the signature wobble bass sound, syncopated drum and bass rhythms, and sparse melodies.

Famous Subgenres

Brostep, Luvstep, Thugstep are some of the notable Subgenres of Dubstep Music.

Famous Artists 

Skream, Benga, Skrillex, Borgore, Coki, Mala, Nero, Flux Pavilion, Kode 9, Rusko, Bassnectar, Excision, Datsik, 12th Planet, Caspa, Joker are some of the Famous Artists that Play Dubstep Music

Famous Record Labels 

DMZ, Tempa, Wheel & Deal, Dub Police are the famous record labels that sign Dubstep Music Artists.

5. Drum & Bass

Drum & Bass is a EDM genre of electronic music that originated in the United Kingdom in the early 1990s. Characterized by its fast tempo, synthesized basslines and aggressive sampling, Drum & Bass is a highly energetic and dynamic style of music that is often used in clubs, festivals and raves.

Its defining characteristic is its fast tempo, often anywhere between 160-180 beats per minute. It is also known for its complex, syncopated rhythms and its heavy basslines. To identify it, listen for its fast tempo, aggressive sampling, syncopated rhythms and heavy basslines.

Famous Subgenres

Drumstep, Liquid Funk, Techstep, Neurofunk, Jump-Up are some of the notable Subgenres of Drum & Bass Music.

Famous Artists 

Goldie, Ed Rush & Optical, Bad Company, Roni Size, Dillinja, London Elektricity, High Contrast, Andy C, Netsky, Pendulum, Noisia, Chase & Status, Sub Focus are some of the Famous Artists that Play Drum & Bass Music

Famous Record Labels 

Metalheadz, Ram Records, Virus, Hospital Records  are the famous record labels that sign Drum and Bass Music Artists.

6. Garage

Garage music is a style of EDM genre that originated in the UK in the 1990s. It is a combination of house, bass and other genres, and is usually characterized by a bouncy, energetic beat. 

To identify garage music, listen for a four-on-the-floor rhythm, a heavy bassline, and a combination of samples, synths and vocals. Garage music often has a distinct UK sound.

Famous Subgenres

UK Garage, Speed Garage, 2-Step, Bassline are some of the notable Sub genres of Garage Music.

Famous Artists 

Todd Edwards, Artful Dodger, MJ Cole, So Solid Crew, The Streets are some of the Famous Artists that Play garage Music

Famous Record Labels 

Ice Cream Records  is one of the famous record labels that sign Garage Music Artists.

7. Grime

Grime is a EDM genre of electronic music that originated in England in the early 2000s. It is characterized by a fast-paced, aggressive sound combining elements of UK garage, hip hop, and drum and bass. It is often characterized by a distinctive MC-driven style of lyrical delivery and a heavy reliance on dark, minor-key instrumental samples. 

The style has been described as a cross between UK garage and hip hop. To identify Grime music, look for the MC-driven style of lyrical delivery, heavy use of dark, minor-key samples, and a fast-paced, aggressive sound.

Famous Subgenres

8-Bar is one of the notable Sub genres of Grime Music.

Famous Artists 

Terror Danjah, Wiley, Tempa T, Dizzee Rascal, Kano are some of the Famous Artists that Play grime Music

Famous Record Labels 

Butterz, No Hats No Hoods  are the famous record labels that sign Grime Music Artists.

8. Trap

Trap music is an EDM genre of hip hop music that originated in the early 2000s in the Southern United States. It is typified by its aggressive lyrical content and sound, which incorporates 808 sub-bass kick drums, double-time, triple-time and other faster time division hi-hats, layered synthesizers, and “cinematic” strings. 

Trap music is often based around the sounds of the Roland TR-808 drum machine. To identify Trap music, listen for the 808 drum machine sound, high-pitched synthesizers and pitched vocal samples. Additionally, look for lyric content that is often aggressive and dark.

Famous Subgenres

Cloud rap, drill,Latin trap,phonk are some of the notable Sub Genres of Trap Music.

Famous Artists

Heroes x Villains, CRNKN, Carnage, Mayhem, UZ, Flosstradamus, Baauer, RL Grime, Branchez, Brillz  are some of the Famous Artists that Play Trap Music

Famous Record Labels 

Mad Decent/Jeffree’s, Fool’s Gold are the famous record labels that sign Trap Music Artists.

9. Hardstyle

Hardstyle is an EDM genre that emerged in the late 1990s. It is characterized by a heavy bass and a fast tempo, usually around 140 -160 bpm. It is often influenced by hard trance and heavy metal, and incorporates the use of distorted kick drums, intense lead synths, and a number of sound effects. 

Hardstyle is often recognized by its hard and fast drum beats, as well as its heavy and distorted basslines. It is usually accompanied by aggressive and energetic vocals, often in the form of shouts or yells.

Famous Subgenres

Hard Trance, Hard Dance, Happy Hardcore are some of the notable Subgenres of Hardstyle Music.

Famous Artists 

Showtek, Headhunterz, Wildstylez, Angerfist, DJ Issac, Tuneboy, Psyko Punkz are some of the Famous Artists that Play Hardstyle Music

Famous Record Labels 

Scantraxx, Fusion are the famous record labels that sign Hardstyle Artists.

10. Moombahton

Moombahton is a EDM genre of music that combines elements of house music, reggaeton, and Dutch house. It was created by DJs Dave Nada and Munchi in Washington, DC in 2009 and is characterized by a slow-to-mid tempo range, heavy bass lines, and unique percussion. The genre is often identified by its use of a specific drum pattern known as the “moombah” beat. 

This beat is typically a four-on-the-floor bass drum pattern, with a snare hit on the third beat. It is also often accompanied by a reggaeton-style vocal sample. Other common elements of moombahton include heavy use of synthesizers, layered melodies, and a wide range of Caribbean and Latin American influences. 

Famous Subgenres

Moombahsoul, Moombahcore are some of the notable Subgenres of Moombahton

Music.

Famous Artists 

Munchi, Dave Nada, Sabo, Bro Safari, ETC!ETC!, David Heartbreak, Sazon Booya, Dillon Francis, Tittsworth  are some of the Famous Artists that Play Moombahton

Music

Famous Record Labels 

Mad Decent/Jeffree’s Rot10, T&A Records are the famous record labels that sign Moombahton Artists.

11. Juke

Juke music is a style of EDM genre that originated in the Mississippi Delta region of the United States in the late 19th century. It is characterized by its repetitive, syncopated rhythms and its call-and-response vocal style. 

It is often identified by its use of the slide guitar, as well as its use of hand clapping and foot stomping. It is also known for its use of improvisation, with players often playing off of each other’s ideas and building on them. 

Famous Subgenres

Footwork is one of the notable Sub genres of juke Music.

Famous Artists 

 DJ Rashad, Traxman, DJ Spinn, Gant-Man, Dude ‘N Nem  are some of the Famous Artists that Play juke Music

Famous Record Labels 

Planet Mu is one of the famous record labels that sign Juke Artists.

12. Breakbeat

Breakbeat is a genre of EDM that largely developed in the UK during the 1980s and 1990s. It is characterized by a tempo of between 110 and 150 beats per minute, and often features heavy use of drum machines, synthesizers, and samples. 

The genre also often utilizes heavily syncopated rhythms and syncopated basslines, and its characteristic sound often includes a deep, distorted bass. Breakbeat can be identified by its typically faster tempo, heavy drums, and its use of samples, synthesizers, and drum machines.

Famous Subgenres

Breaks, Florida Breaks, Big Beat are some of the notable Sub genres of Breakbeat Music.

Famous Artists 

 Hybrid, Fatboy Slim, Chemical Brothers, DJ Icey  are some of the Famous Artists that Play breakbeat Music

Famous Record Labels

Holy Ghost Inc, Incite Records , Not On Label , Homegrown Records are the famous record labels that sign breakbeat Artists.

13. Downtempo

Downtempo music is an EDM genre characterized by relaxed tempos and relaxed melodies. It is often described as a combination of chill-out, ambient, and trip-hop music. The music is generally slower and more mellow than other genres, and is often used as background music in restaurants, cafes, and other chill-out spaces. 

Downtempo music can be identified by its slower tempo and relaxed melodies, often utilizing elements of other genres such as jazz, hip-hop, and electronica. It often uses samples from other types of music, as well as soundscapes, synth pads, and other electronic elements.

Famous Subgenres

Chillout, Lounge are some of the notable Sub genres of Downtempo Music.

Famous Artists 

Moby, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Nightmares on Wax, Boards of Canada are some of the Famous Artists that Play Downtempo Music

Famous Record Labels 

Warp is one of the famous record labels that sign Downtempo Artists.

In conclusion, EDM is a genre of music that is constantly evolving and growing in popularity. It is important to understand the different genres that make up EDM so that you can identify what type of music you are listening to. EDM encompasses a wide range of styles, from ambient and chillout to dubstep and trap. Whether you’re a fan of EDM or just curious about it, understanding the different genres and subgenres is the key to discovering the right type of music for you.

FAQs: