Remember the good ol’ times when moombah ruled the electronic world? In 2012 when sets were filled with the high energy tracks much like the way trap has infiltrated the scene now? Moombahton has seemingly taken a backseat in recent times to more popular genres like trap and progressive house, but this has done nothing to lessen how great some of the classics still are.
From artists who paved the way like Sazon Booya and Munchi to unexpected sources like Porter Robinson, there’s no shortage of insanely well produced tracks running the 108 BPM. Not at all a “dead” or “dying” genre, we’d just like to see the sweet beats of moombahton again get the airtime it deserves. Prepare to take a trip down memory lane as we count down 15 great examples of the best genre in electronic music.
#15: Angger Dimas – “Kitchen”
Out nearly three years ago, this in my mind is Angger Dimas’ best piece of work to date. He doesn’t mess around with this one, hitting you with the instantly recognizable intro right up to the oh-so-sweet drop at the :35 second mark. Wherever Dimas might go as a producer, he’ll always have this one to look back on and say “yeah, I’m awesome at what I do.”
#14: The Partysquad – “Go Down Low”
Although they might not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of moombahton, The Partysquad have been big players in the development of the genre. As co-producers on “Original Don” with Major Lazer, these two if for nothing else can be attributed to one of the most recognizable tracks in electronic music. Another gem from the natives of Amsterdam,”Go Down Low” perfects the upbeat, fun vibe we’ve all come to love about moombah.
#13: Bro Safari – “Uncrushable”
Another artist who’s seemed to trade in his moombah cape for a trap throne, believe it or not Bro Safari has roots dating all the way back to the beautifully weird beats of moombahton. Aggressive sounds like this paved the way for his skyrocketing popularity, and we’d be hard pressed to find a better Bro Safari example than this one.
#12: Valentino Khan & Will Bailey- “Rukus”
One of Valentino Khan’s earlier tracks, odds are you’ve heard this dropped live at one time or another. Khan has been a favorite of ours for some time now, and when paired with Will Bailey they struck moombahton gold with this track from 2012. Changing it up throughout the track like he does so often, the second drop might even be slimier than the first.
#11: Nadastrom & Skrillex – “I!!”
As the flag holders for the genre, Nadastrom can seem to do no wrong. Pairing with the colossally talented Sonny Moore probably won’t hurt matters, as you can hear the perfect meshing of styles right from the beginning with the trademark Skrillex vocals. Not many times can artists from such different genres collab to make a track sound so seamless, but that’s exactly what happened here.
#10: Diplo – “Horsey”
Way back in 2011 before he became the twerk king he is today, Diplo was at the forefront of all things slow and sexy with moombahton. A standout off his “Mad Decent Vol. 1” EP, “Horsey” helped put him and his Mad Decent crew in the national spotlight. Although there’s no arguing with the success he and his label have been experiencing lately, it’d be real nice to hear something like this classic again.
#9: Ricky Vaughn – “You’re Welcome”
WRR favorite Rickey Vaughn managed to crack the top 10 with this sweet slice of moomba heaven. Originally making up 1/3 of the group Sazon Booya, Ricky has had no trouble making a name for himself ever since the group decided to part ways two years ago. Arguably my favorite song he’s put out to date, “You’re Welcome” is as heavy and beautifully produced as any other track in the genre.
#8: Knife Party – “Sleaze”
Off their “Rage Valley” EP two years ago, “Sleaze” proved that Knife Party can make whatever music they feel like and be great at it. Sharing the EP with tracks like “Centipede” and “Bonfire”, this song could be the most memorable due to how unexpected it was. Injecting their own Knife-bahton sound into “Sleaze”, you’d swear they’ve been putting out tracks like this one their whole career.
#7: Milo & Otis – “Siren (Just One)”
Milo & Otis is another one of those artists who can either make top of the line trap or moombahton, it simply depends on what they’re feeling like that day. Perfect use of samples and chopped up vocals will make “Siren” a staple of the genre years after its release, and it forever has a soft spot in the hearts of moombah enthusiasts everywhere. Tracks like this make you want to shuffle your butt around in your computer chair.
#6: Porter Robinson – “100% In The Bitch”
On the heels of his critically acclaimed Worlds album and with a massive world tour on the horizon, you’d be hard pressed to find a hotter producer right now than Porter. While his sound may be evolving from where it was in 2011, it’d be wrong to forget about one of the tracks that started it all for him. Off his debut “Spitfire” EP this song proved to be a foreshadowing of the versatility we’d be seeing in the years to come. With a first drop that makes you want to learn how to dance and a second which is as smooth as velvet peanut butter, this is almost as perfect as it gets.
#5: GTA – “Yolohton”
One of the newer tracks on the list, “Yolohton” was destined to be a classic the minute it was released. With classic percussion greeting you at the intro and moombah feels throughout, GTA breathed new life into the genre with this year old gem. Getting constant support from previously mentioned artists like Diplo and Dill Fran, “Yolohton” is a track that will never get old.
#4: Diplo & Dillon Francis – “Que Que”
Containing “Masta Blasta”, “Que Que”, and “Brazzer’s Theme”, Dillon Francis’ “Westside” EP could be the best EP moombahton has seen yet. This collab in 2011 between the Mad Decent heavy hitters fast became one of the most popular tracks either has put out. In an era before the big-time money and production that Mad Decent can now boast, the music video to “Que Que” is on par with the ridiculousness we’ve come to love these two for.
#3: Sazon Booya & The Mane Thing – “Perfect 10”
It’s a shame they’re no longer together, because all we’re left to do now is wonder where moombahton could be had Sazon Booya never split. With a musical library that stretches back as far as you can see, “Perfect 10” has my vote for best production the trio ever put out. Silky smooth from start to finish, this song represents Sazon at their best.
#2: Dillon Francis – “Masta Blasta”
Six minutes of unadulterated moombah perfection has landed Dillon the all time number two spot here. Off the aforementioned “Westside” EP, “Masta Blasta” is almost unanimously regarded as Francis’ staple track. There still isn’t a song out there that sounds like this, and that’s saying a lot for something that’s three years old in the electronic community. “Masta Blasta” might have spawned “Masta Blasta” (The Rebirth), but as far as I’m concerned nothing can touch this.
#1: Munchi – “Sandungueo”
This of course couldn’t be taken as a serious article without paying respects to Munchi. Along with Nadastrom, Munchi is widely considered the most influential producer in moombahton, with “Sandungueo” being his crowning achievement. There isn’t much else that can be said about this track other than it’s the best song by the best producer in the game.
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