Showbiz News | Page: 4
Minatrix.FM — new design and new features!
Friends, we’re excited to announce: Minatrix.FM has been updated!
We have completely redesigned the website, making it modern, fast, and user-friendly. Navigation is now simpler, pages load faster, and using the platform is more enjoyable than ever.
We’ve combined style and functionality:
Modern design with a focus on convenience;
Quick access to your favorite music and site sections;
Improved mobile responsiveness;
New interface elements to make your experience even more comfortable.
But this is just the beginning!
In the near future, we’ll continue improving the platform: new features will appear, user profiles will be enhanced, and working with playlists and search will become even easier.
A bit of history
Minatrix.FM began as an online radio for true music l...
Acid House — the music of revolution and chaos
Acid House is one of the most iconic genres of electronic music, emerging in the mid-1980s. It is characterized by hypnotic basslines created on the legendary Roland TB-303 synthesizer, steady beats, and a psychedelic atmosphere. Acid House became a symbol of rave culture and a true musical revolution.
History
1985–1987: Acid House originated in Chicago, where DJs experimented with the TB-303, transforming this "bass machine" into an instrument capable of producing acid, resonant sounds.
1987–1989: The style spread to the UK, giving rise to the famous Second Summer of Love. Acid House became an anthem of freedom and underground raves.
1990s: Acid House influenced the evolution of techno, trance, and many other genres.
Sound Characteristics
Tempo: 120–130 BPM
T...
Abstract Hip-Hop: Music of Thought and Abstraction
Abstract Hip-Hop is one of the most mysterious and intellectual directions in hip-hop culture. Unlike mainstream rap, it focuses not so much on rhymes and catchy beats, but on poetic content, metaphors, and philosophical depth. This genre speaks to the listener indirectly — through symbols, hidden meanings, and multilayered imagery.
Origins and Development
Abstract Hip-Hop emerged at the intersection of hip-hop, spoken word, and experimental music. Its roots go back to the underground scene of the late 1990s and early 2000s, when artists sought new forms of self-expression. Instead of telling street stories or creating club hits, they wrote poetic lyrics, where each line was a riddle, requiring careful listening and interpretation.
The first artists who defined the standards of the g...
Breakcore — the music of chaos and energy
Breakcore is an extreme branch of electronic music that emerged in the mid-1990s. The genre combines aggressive chopped rhythms, fast tempos (often above 180 BPM), harsh samples, and chaotic arrangements. It is often described as the "musical equivalent of anarchy."
Origins and Development
Breakcore evolved from the hardcore techno, drum’n’bass, and industrial scenes. The main pioneers of the genre include:
Venetian Snares (Aaron Funk) — one of the most recognizable artists in the genre, known for his complex rhythmic patterns and use of classical music elements.
Alec Empire and his label Digital Hardcore Recordings, which helped shape the foundation of the extreme electronic scene.
Bong-Ra, Shitmat, and Otto von Schirach — artists who infused breakcore with e...
Country Music — history, facts and evolution of the genre
Country music originated in the early 20th century in the United States, primarily in the South. It combined elements of folk, Irish and Scottish ballads, blues, and gospel. The first instruments of the genre were the acoustic guitar, fiddle, and banjo, later joined by the harmonica and steel guitars. The music reflected the lives of ordinary people — their joys, hardships, and spiritual values.
The Golden Era
From the mid-20th century, country music spread beyond American ranches and farming towns. In the 1940s and 1950s, Nashville became the capital of the genre, and the "Grand Ole Opry" — its main symbol. During this time, legends such as Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, and Patsy Cline emerged. Their songs remain classics to this day.
Distinctive Sound
Country music is easily re...
Footwork — a rhythmic revolution at the crossroads of house and hip-hop.
Footwork is a unique subgenre of electronic music that emerged in Chicago in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It combines a fast tempo, experimental rhythms, and is closely tied to street dance culture. The name of the genre reflects not only the music itself but also the dance style it was created for.
Origins and Development
Footwork evolved from ghetto house and juke, which were already used in Chicago dance battles at the time. The sound is characterized by a fast tempo (around 160 BPM), sharp rhythmic shifts, repetitive vocal samples, and minimalist yet intricate drum patterns.
The pioneers of the genre include artists and collectives such as DJ Rashad, DJ Spinn, and RP Boo, who helped bring the style beyond its local roots. A key role was played by the Teklife label, which united foot...
Darkstep — the dark sound of Drum & Bass
Darkstep is an extreme and atmospheric subgenre of drum & bass, characterized by its aggressive, dark, and chaotic sound. Emerging in the late 1990s and early 2000s, this style quickly became a favorite among fans of heavy electronic music. Darkstep creates a sense of tension and raw energy, making it ideal for nightclubs and underground raves.
History
Darkstep has its roots in techstep and neurofunk, but pushes the boundaries with even harsher rhythms and darker melodic lines. The first notable examples appeared in DJ sets inspired by industrial and hardcore sounds, from artists such as Dylan, Limewax, and Current Value.
Key Features
Tempo: 170–180 BPM
Sound: heavy basslines, distorted synths, industrial samples
Atmosphere: darkness, chaos, tension
Theme: often inspired ...
Balearic Beat — the music of Ibiza and the spirit of freedom
Balearic Beat is a musical movement that emerged in the mid-1980s on the island of Ibiza — one of the most famous members of the Balearic archipelago. This style is difficult to define strictly, as it blends elements of house, disco, Latin rhythms, reggae, soul, dub, and even rock. Its key feature is the unique atmosphere of relaxation, warmth, and freedom — perfectly capturing the spirit of beach parties and sunset DJ sets.
History
Balearic Beat emerged thanks to DJs such as Alfredo Fiorito, who, in iconic Ibiza clubs like Amnesia, created eclectic sets by mixing a wide variety of genres. It was more than just a musical style — it was a philosophy: music for dancing and meditation, for sunsets and sunrises, for uniting people from different cultures.
Key Features
Tempo...
Hi-NRG: The Energy of Late 20th Century Dancefloors
Hi-NRG is a fast-paced and energetic subgenre of disco and synth-pop that emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It became one of the most popular forms of dance music of its time. The style is characterized by a high tempo (usually between 120 and 140 BPM), a steady four-on-the-floor beat, powerful basslines, and bright synthesizer arrangements. It’s music made for nightclubs, flashing lights, and endless energy.
Origins and Development
Hi-NRG grew out of the post-disco scene, as club culture sought new directions following the “death of disco” in the U.S. at the end of the 1970s. The first signs of the genre appeared in the works of Patrick Cowley, Sylvester, Bobby Orlando, and the late recordings of Village People, who shifted their sound toward this energetic styl...
Acid Breaks — The History and Energy of Acid Breaks
Acid Breaks is a dynamic genre of electronic music that combines groovy breakbeat rhythms with the signature acid sound of the Roland TB-303 synthesizer. It merges the energy of breakbeat with the psychedelic atmosphere of acid house, creating a powerful and recognizable sound for dance floors.
History of Acid Breaks
Late 1980s: Acid House was already gaining popularity in the UK and Chicago, while breakbeats were actively used in hip-hop and early electronic music. Producers began blending these styles, adding the signature “acid” TB-303 basslines to chopped-up drums.
Early 1990s: Acid Breaks took shape as a distinct style. The first releases appeared on underground labels such as Hard Hands and R&S Records. Notable artists: Meat Beat Manifesto, Chemical Brothers (earl...
Ambient Dub — a deep and atmospheric world of sound
Ambient Dub is a musical genre that combines the atmospheric textures and meditative soundscapes of ambient with the deep basslines and spatial effects of dub. It immerses the listener in a unique, almost hypnotic sonic environment where rhythm becomes part of the overall soundscape rather than its focal point.
History of Ambient Dub
Late 1980s – Early 1990s: The genre emerged in the UK when experimental producers began blending dub reggae with elements of ambient. Among the pioneers were The Orb, Future Sound of London, and Bill Laswell.
1990s – Formation of the Sound: Labels such as Beyond Records released compilations that helped establish the term ambient dub. The music incorporated dub-style reverbs, delays, and slow tempos, paired with lush ambient synthscapes.
2000...