Beats & Breaks

Composed of layered musical cliches borrowed from the 1980s, this general grouping of breakbeat innovators took electronic music further into the mainstream than any of their pre-1997 progenitors. Popularized by the Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim, Bentley Rhythm Ace and the Crystal Method, its chunky rhythms vibrate dancefloors with rock textures, hip-swinging house and techno grooves -- all seasoned with a heavy dose of hip-hop. With a premium on excitement and intensity, funky breaks/big beat tracks sound sliced and diced, with steep buildups, rough crescendos, quick drops, drum rolls and heavy sample usage.