Breakbeat Classics: From the Roots to Recent Hits [2025]

Out of SpaceThe Prodigy

Out of Space (Remastered)

With its slightly goofy yet catchy intro, this is “Out Of Space” by the British techno band The Prodigy.

The intro races forward as if you’re playing a racing game, then after a shocking gear shift into reggae, the unexpected arrival of techno kicks in.

In Japan today, songs with a fairly predictable A verse, B verse, and chorus structure are popular, but isn’t it in freer, less formulaic compositions like this that musicians and artists can truly show their strengths?

James Brown Is DeadL.A STYLE

James Brown Is Dead

With its fierce breakbeats that make your body move on its own, this is “James Brown Is Dead” by the Dutch dance music unit L.

A.

Style.

It’s such a groovy track, it would even surprise the father of funk, James Brown! The rap over the breakbeats is insanely cool.

Among hip-hop tracks, this one leans especially toward techno.

It’s a song I’d love you to listen to when you want to dance until morning!

Take CaliforniaPropellerheads

Take California

Propellerheads, consisting of Will White and Alex Gifford.

They were also central figures during the heyday of the UK big beat scene and remain a unit with enduring popularity.

Their music appears on the soundtrack to The Matrix, so some of you may have heard them! This track is their very first single, included on their debut EP—a truly landmark debut.

It remains a fan favorite and a classic of breakbeats.

DigeridooAphex Twin

Aphex Twin – Digeridoo

Aphex Twin, a British ambient musician whose popularity has been resurging in recent years.

The way he selects sounds and structures his tracks is so fascinating that once you start studying it, there’s no end.

The track Digeridoo uses the didgeridoo—an Aboriginal traditional instrument—as its main element.

It’s not very well known in Japan yet, but overseas it enjoys a fair amount of popularity as a quirky instrument.

Hats off to Aphex Twin for making even the sound of the didgeridoo sound so cool!

Shack UpBanbarra

Shack Up

A classic break released in 1975.

This track is also famous for its drum break, which has been sampled in various funk records.

Bambaataa was one of the great funk groups, but they suddenly stopped their activities and disappeared.

In 1981, the song broke in the disco scene and became a hit, climbing as high as No.

46 on the U.

S.

charts at its peak.

It still has a devoted following, and it was also sampled in Divine Styler’s “Ain’t Sayin Nothin’,” which became a hit.

Feeling So RealMoby

Moby – ‘Feeling So Real’ (Official Video)

This is the song “Feeling So Real” by Moby, an American techno musician known for contributions including songs for Britney Spears.

The airy, high-pitched vocals and the clear, shimmering piano and synthesizers are wonderful—there’s a real sense of freedom.

It feels like the track keeps getting faster; maybe that’s because of the high-speed breakbeats.

It’s a great song to listen to when you’re feeling frustrated!

CoastSedona

Coast

Sedona is a duo consisting of Benny Blanco and Dale Charles.

They debuted in 1995 on OHM Recordings, a Boston-based label active since the mid-’90s that focused on house, techno, and progressive house.

Their sound, which became emblematic of the label, is rooted in house music—particularly acid house—and features breakbeats that point toward the rave culture that would follow.

A classic that should also appeal to fans of traditional four-on-the-floor.