| Wonky | |
|---|---|
| Stylistic origins | |
| Cultural origins | Late 2000s–early 2010s,United Kingdom |
| Regional scenes | |
| |
Wonky is a subgenre ofelectronic dance music known primarily for its off-kilter or "unstable" beats, as well as its eclectic, colorful blend of genres includinghip-hop,electro-funk,8-bit,jazz fusion,glitch, andcrunk.[1][2] Artists associated with the style includeJoker,Rustie,Hudson Mohawke,Zomby, andFlying Lotus.[1][2] The genre includes the microgenreaquacrunk and is related topurple sound.[3][1]
Wonky initially emerged in 2006 as a colorful, exuberant style drawing onhip hop,synth-funk, glitchyelectronica, and more eclectic influences, in contrast with the austere sound of the UK's ongoingdubstep andgrime scenes.[4] Other influences included American hip hop producersJ Dilla andMadlib, with some artists drawing more explicitly on aninstrumental hip-hop sound rather than dubstep.[4] The term "wonky" has been rejected by various artists associated with the style.[2]
Wonky is known for its off-kilter rhythms and typically features garishsynthesizer tones, melodies, andeffects.[3] The "unstable" sound of wonky is often achieved by producingunquantised beats, abandoning the metronomic precision of much electronic music.[4] Artists also use heavysub-bass, which has been attributed to synergistic effects of bass with the drugketamine, 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]
