| Illbient | |
|---|---|
| Stylistic origins | |
| Cultural origins | Early 1990s,New York City |
| Other topics | |
Illbient is a genre ofelectronic music and anart movement that originated amonghip hop-influencedexperimental musicians fromNew York City in the early 1990s.[1][2] The word "illbient" combines thehip hopslang term "ill" and "ambient";DJ Olive andDJ Spooky, pioneers of the genre, have claimed to have coined the term.[3]
Though there are many individualistic variants of illbient, the music is characterized bydub- andindustrial-influenced[4] layering of beats andsoundscapes,[5]hip hop-influenced use ofbreaks andsamples, and a progressive approach to beat programming that encompasses many forms ofworld music and electronic music.
Besides DJ Olive and DJ Spooky, other notable names and acts that were part of the original illbient scene includedRaz Mesinai,We™,Byzar,Spectre and the artists that were released on hisWordSound label around that time. Subsequent illbient artists have includedTechno Animal,Sixtoo andOdd Nosdam.[1]
Centered in New York City (Brooklyn in particular), illbient is a distinctly and consciously urban form of electronic music, aiming to express both the cultural variety and grimy decay of its surroundings.
Unlike the UK's marijuana-infused ambient culture, New York's 'illbient' scene is less about wombing soundbaths and vegetative bliss, more about creating audio-sculptures and environmental soundscapes.
