140
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140 is a broad UK bass tag for tracks around 140 BPM that draw from dubstep, grime, garage, dub, and sound-system music without always fitting classic dubstep or MC-led grime. The sound can be deep, percussive, or aggressive, but it usually features half-time space, square-wave bass, sparse drums, and club tools built for reloads and dark rooms.
History
The term became increasingly useful after dubstep fragmented in the early 2010s, allowing DJs to connect deep dubstep, grime instrumentals, weightless bass, and experimental sound-system tracks by tempo and function. Producers such as Commodo, Kahn, Neek, Gantz, Thelem, Sir Hiss, Mr. K, J:Kenzo, and Cartridge kept the 140 lane flexible, linking Bristol, London, Leeds, and international bass scenes. It helped re-center dubstep's underground language after the brostep explosion by emphasizing bass weight, dubplate culture, and MC compatibility.
Defining artists
Essential listening
Sources
- UKF
- Resident Advisor
- Bandcamp bass labels
- Discogs