Breakbeats

Breakbeats are a broad type of electronic music that use drum breaks, often sampled from early funk, jazz, and R&B recordings. Breakbeats have been used in styles such as Florida breaks, hip hop, jungle, drum and bass, big beat, breakbeat hardcore, and UK garage styles (including 2-step, breakstep, and dubstep).

Florida breaks, also known as Florida breakbeat, Funky Breaks, The Orlando Sound, and Tampa Breaks, is a genre most popular in Florida but recognized globally for its distinct sound. It gained popularity in the Southeast U.S. club scene during the mid & late '90s, featuring a ‘funky’ style with samples from ’80s pop, funk, and hip hop. Key artists from that era include, but are not limited to, DJ Icey, DJ Baby Anne, DJ Sharaz, DJ Fixx, Agent K, Skynet (US), and many others.

Spanish breakbeats also began to flourish in the late '90s and early 2000s, especially in cities like Madrid and Barcelona. With roots in UK breakbeat culture, the Spanish scene developed its own flavor—often darker and more industrial—while incorporating elements of techno, electro, and Latin rhythms. DJs like Kultur, DEK0, and Rasco helped shape its identity, gaining a strong following in both underground clubs and festivals across Europe.

Today, breakbeats continue to evolve. The genre has grown into a global cultural movement, resonating with new generations while staying true to its origins. Breakbeats as a whole have surged in popularity across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, with scenes thriving from Tokyo to Berlin to Los Angeles, fueled by both grassroots events and major electronic festivals.

Br8kn (break’n) Records was founded to support the genre’s growth. Unlike other labels that stick to specific substyles, Br8kn embraces the full diversity of breakbeats.