Ever been at a dance, and suddenly the DJ drops a tune that you know, but it’s got a twist—a name drop, a special intro, or a wicked bassline that you’ve never heard before? Well, that, my friend, is the magic of a dubplate. Dubplates are a cornerstone of sound system culture, especially in Reggae, Dancehall, Jungle, and Hip-Hop. If you’ve ever wondered what makes these mystical items of soundclash supremacy so significant, then read on to be enlightened.

In the simplest terms, a dubplate is an exclusive version of a track, often personalised with lyrics or sounds unique to the DJ, sound system, or selector who commissions it. It’s like having a VIP pass to a song—only the top dogs have it, and it’s designed to make the crowd go wild. Dubplates are traditionally cut onto acetate discs, which are softer than vinyl and have a limited lifespan, meaning they aren’t meant to be played endlessly. 

The term "dubplate" originally referred to a pre-release version of a song, used for promotional purposes, testing out how it works on the dancefloor before its official release. Nowadays, it also refers to custom recordings where artists “big up” a specific DJ or sound system, often reworking popular songs or their own hits.

Dubplates trace their roots back to Jamaica in the 1960s when sound system culture was exploding. In the highly competitive world of sound clashes—musical battles between rival soundsystems—selectors needed a way to stand out. Enter the dubplate. These exclusive tunes became the secret weapon, giving DJs a way to flex with one-of-a-kind tracks that their competitors couldn’t match.

Jamaican music pioneers like Coxson, Duke Reid and Prince Buster were some of the first to use dubplates to test out new songs in the dance before committing them to release as a way to gauge whether the song would be popular. This then became standard procedure for Soundmen across the board.

King Tubby, one of the pioneers of dub music, played a massive role in the genesis of the dubplate movement. He was a sound engineer and producer who started remixing tracks in real-time, pulling out vocals, layering effects, and creating entirely new versions of songs. This experimentation led to the birth of Dub as a genre and dubplates to keep things fresh and unpredictable in the dance. 

The dubplate process starts with a producer or artist recording a track specifically for a DJ or soundsystem. These recordings often include personalised lyrics, such as shoutouts or name drops, that make the track unique to the one who ordered it. 

Once recorded, the track is sent to a mastering engineer, who cuts it onto an acetate disc using a special lathe. The process is delicate, requiring expert precision to ensure the best sound quality. Unlike regular vinyl, acetate wears out quicker—usually after 50 to 100 plays—adding to the mystique and urgency of these records. When you’ve got a dubplate, you’ve got something precious, and it’s only a matter of time before it’s gone.

One studio that was renowned for having a big impact on the UK Reggae scene in late 70s and early 80s, was a Dubplate cutting studio run by John and Felicity Hassell from the front room of their home in the leafy suburban streets of Barnes, South London. John's keen ears would play a huge part in the development of the 'big bass' sound that was distinctive of UK Reggae. John's studio churned out hundreds of dubplates for people like Jah Shaka and Dennis Bovell. Watch a clip of the BBC documentary Reggae Britannia below to hear Bovell reminisce on his time at the studio.

In recent years, the process has gone digital, with dubplates now being available in formats like MP3 and WAV. But purists still swear by the acetate’s distinct sound and the tactile, almost ritualistic nature of playing one.

Though dubplates are deeply rooted in Reggae and Dancehall, their influence has spilt into other genres too. Jungle and Drum and Bass scenes, particularly in the UK, have embraced the dubplate culture with legendary producers and DJs like Goldie and Andy C using them to test new tracks. Producers working in Jungle, Drum & Bass and Dubstep also use the term VIP mix to denote a 'variation in production' which would involve a slight variation to a known song.

Famous dubplate cutting studios in London included Music House and Transition Studios, which were pivotal in the development of various underground music scenes. 

On Friday nights in the 1990s they would be buzzing hives of activity as DJs queued to get their latest dubs cut in time for that weekend’s events. These gatherings represented a networking opportunity, as the wise elders of soundsystem culture stood alongside young Dance DJs proudly clutching their latest tracks. But also, because time was of the essence, they created a form of quality control for the music. A DJ with a track that was poorly produced or mixed would be jostled to the back of the queue in favour of those who were more prepared, creating a “survival of the fittest” environment that served to accelerate the evolution of these genres.

The process of cutting a Dubplate is equal parts science and art. Because much of the equipment required has not been manufactured for decades, studio engineers would need to invest countless hours in developing their craft and thousands of pounds to repair and replace crucial elements.

One such engineer who was renowned for his skill in this area, particularly during the 1990s was Leon Chue, son of UK Soundsystem legend Paul Chue (aka Fu-Manchu) and brother to Dance music pioneer Wookie. Leon sadly passed away in 2020 but his legend lives on through the legacy of Music House and the impact he had on the development of multiple Soundsystem genres and the DJs who passed through his studio to cut their dubs.

Although the golden age of acetate dubplates has long passed now, there are still a handful of studios keeping the spirit of dubplates alive, such as Henry Bainbridge’s Dubstudio in Bristol and Dominic Jones’ Peckham Cuts in South London. 

 

Dubplates aren’t just about music; they’re about legacy, respect, and the art of the dance. In the world of sound systems, a killer dubplate can elevate a DJ’s status, make or break a sound clash, and keep the dancefloor packed. In a digital age where music is more accessible than ever, dubplates remind us of the power of exclusivity and the connection between artists and their audiences. They’re a nod to the past but also a vital part of the present, keeping the roots of Soundsystem culture alive.

If you're interested to find out more, watch this documentary of Leon Chue at Music House Studios where he explains his process.