Speed garage emerged in the mid-1990s UK as a fusion of garage house, jungle, and 2-step, characterized by its energetic tempo (typically 130-135 BPM), heavy basslines, and chopped-up vocal samples. The genre features skipping, syncopated drum patterns, often with prominent kick drums on the offbeat, and incorporates elements of R&B and soul in its vocals. Speed garage gained popularity in clubs and on pirate radio stations, peaking in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It significantly influenced the development of UK garage and later, grime and dubstep. The genre's distinctive sound comes from its use of pitch-shifted vocals, reese basslines, and dark, atmospheric synths, creating a unique blend of euphoria and urban grit. Speed garage stands out for its ability to combine dancefloor-friendly rhythms with an edgier, more experimental approach to production, setting it apart from mainstream house and garage styles of the time.
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