Gabber facts for kids

Gabber is a type of electronic dance music that started in the Netherlands in the early 1990s. It's known for being very fast and having a strong, hard beat. The word "Gabber" comes from a Dutch word that means "friend" or "mate."

This music style grew out of the early hardcore techno scene. It became very popular in the Netherlands and also gained fans in other parts of Europe. Gabber music is often played at large dance parties and festivals.

What is Gabber Music?

Gabber music is easy to recognize because of its unique sound. It usually has a very high tempo, often between 160 and 200 beats per minute (BPM). This makes it much faster than many other types of electronic music.

Key Sounds of Gabber

The main sounds in Gabber include:

• A powerful, distorted bass drum, often called a "kick."
• Synthesizer sounds that can be dark or intense.
• Sometimes, samples of voices or other sounds are used.

The goal of Gabber music is to create a very energetic and intense feeling for dancers.

The History of Gabber

Gabber music first appeared in the city of Rotterdam, Netherlands, around 1990 or 1991. DJs and producers there wanted to create a new, harder sound that was different from the house music popular at the time.

Early Days and Growth

The new sound quickly caught on, especially with young people. Record labels like Rotterdam Records and Mokum Records helped spread Gabber music. Large parties, often called "raves," became popular places to hear Gabber. These events brought many people together to dance to the fast beats.

Gabber Culture

Gabber music also created its own unique culture. Fans often wore specific clothing, like tracksuits and sneakers. A special dance style called "hakken" (which means "chopping" or "hacking" in Dutch) became popular. This dance involves fast, small steps with the feet.

Gabber Today

While Gabber was most popular in the 1990s, it still has many fans today. It has also influenced other styles of hard electronic music. Many DJs continue to play classic Gabber tracks, and new artists are still making music inspired by its sound.

Gabber remains an important part of Dutch music history and youth culture. It shows how music can bring people together and create a strong community.

See also

In Spanish: Gabber para niños