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]}

History [ edit ]

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 [ edit ]

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 [ edit ]

• Dubstep
• Future bass

References [ edit ]