Roots Archives Forum

What is Uk Steppas and who are the Principal exponents ??

blessed

Can you give me a clue?

a few days i saw in a dj flyer that it say something like this "roots , dub and uk steppas "...

...¿?

UK Steppers is as the title suggest steppers (a certain rhythm with bass drum on every beat) that originated in the mid to late 80's in the UK. It has a very militant and often digital sound.

Check artists souch as Iration Steppas, Dub Judah, Jah Shaka (from the late 80's and forward) and probably tons of other artists that people with more insight can recommend you.

Thank Kalcidides for the information

Well, the steppers beat, four to the floor, originated in Jamaica with certain records from the late seventies very early eighties, tunes like Devon Irons' Ketch Vampire, Johnny Clarke's Blood Dunza and The Twinkle Brothers' Never Get Burn are all steppers. The thing we know today as UK roots emerged from the Shaka scene of the mid-eighties when people such as Sound Iration, The Disciples, Alpha & Omega and Dougie Wardrop's Centry began making tunes specifically for that scene. Shaka's dances in those days were marathon weekly all-nighters and the music these black and white semi-musicians and enthusiasts made was adopted without question by Shaka himself if not by others in the mainstream reggae scene. Not all the records these people and those who emerged in their wake made could be termed steppers, but all of it was heavy uncompromising roots style reggae inspired by Shaka's dances and the sounds heard there. Against all odds, the style is still going strong and has become international in its reach. Its no comprmise intensity has also inspired certain styles in the drum and bass and dubstep scenes.