Ondubground
Name & Pronunciation: Ondubground (often stylized ODG, pronounced on-DOOB-ground)
Years Active & Status: 2004 to Present (active)
Origin & Heritage: Tours, France; steeped in French dub/reggae traditions while pushing electronic and bass fusion
Hook: Ondubground has become a central voice in European dub-reggae fusion, weaving classic Jamaican dub motifs with modern bass production, remix culture, and community ethos via the ODGProd collective.
Motto/Tagline: “Original Dub Gathering”
BIOGRAPHY
Ondubground began in Tours, France, when two brothers, Olo and Art-X, started experimenting with dub as a living, evolving sound. They wanted to push beyond traditional roots into a space where reggae bass, electronic textures, and dubwise studio science could intersect. From this, Ondubground and their netlabel ODGProd emerged as a powerful independent platform, releasing their own work alongside countless other artists in the global dub community.
Their music balances the weight of sound system tradition with modern electronic exploration. Deep basslines and echo-heavy production form the foundation, while digital beats, effects, and collaborations push the style into new territory. Through their label, they pioneered a free distribution model, helping spread dub and ReggaeEDM worldwide without barriers.
In 2024 they marked their 20th anniversary with the album Remixed, which gathered producers across Europe to reinterpret their catalog. This project confirmed their influence not only as musicians but also as connectors, bringing together a new generation of dub producers under the ReggaeEDM umbrella.
Ondubground remains an active touring and recording act, carrying the banner of dub into the 21st century while keeping its message of resistance, unity, and deep meditative power alive.
REGGAEEDM ANALYSIS
Reggae Roots
Rhythm: They use classic one-drop and steppers patterns, fused with modern electronic drum programming for a hybrid groove.
Bass: Heavy sub frequencies anchor their productions, modeled on dub’s resonant bass tradition but tuned for electronic sound systems.
Vocals/Message: Their releases feature conscious vocalists from reggae and hip hop, alongside dubbed-out vocal cuts, maintaining a focus on unity, resistance, and community.
Electronic/EDM Techniques
Dubwise FX Sculpting: Delay, reverb, and filter automation are central to their sound, treating effects as lead instruments.
Digital Steppers Fusion: They adapt steppers dub rhythms into electronic frameworks, giving them a modern club weight.
Collaborative Remix Culture: Ondubground often remix or are remixed by peers, blurring the line between roots reggae tradition and modern EDM culture.
ESSENTIAL WORKS & WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
Remixed (2024): A 20th-anniversary project where producers across Europe reinterpret Ondubground’s catalog. Listen for how the tracks bridge roots dub and modern electronic sounds.
Higumo (2020): A studio album that captures their hybrid of reggae basslines, dub effects, and electronic textures.
Addvice (2017): A key project showing their blend of steppers rhythms with digital bass weight, uniting roots and EDM-driven audiences.
W.A.R. (2013): An album centered on conscious themes and powerful bass, cementing their reputation as leaders of modern dub fusion.
INFLUENCE ON REGGAEEDM
Innovations: By embracing free digital releases through ODGProd, Ondubground democratized access to modern dub and inspired countless producers. Their hybrid steppers-meets-EDM sound became a European standard for dub innovation.
Impact: They helped shape a modern perception of dub as not only heritage music but also a future-facing electronic form, directly influencing ReggaeEDM artists and labels worldwide.
RECOMMENDED ALBUMS
Remixed (2024)
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4dmmvEEuY5Po4EVO5ptWhQ
Key tracks: "Cascade (Tetra Hydro K Remix)," "Justice (Le Faune Stepper Remix)," "Danube (Ashkabad Remix)"
Notes: A celebratory remix album, gathering peers and new voices to reinterpret Ondubground’s catalog.Higumo (2020)
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/0zQbqzXJrhADH5kn17CqlP
Key tracks: "Higumo," "Indica," "Koto Dub"
Notes: A mature work blending reggae bass and dub electronics with atmospheric depth.Addvice (2017)
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1oNlsVgDFjxKPiHwdSCtEK
Key tracks: "Addvice," "Dub Addvice," "Medicine"
Notes: A pivotal release that shows their steppers-meets-digital dub fusion.W.A.R. (2013)
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1xwd9GhCFuuf9A3QxAw2DF
Key tracks: "W.A.R.," "Justice," "Fire Dub"
Notes: A powerful album with a strong conscious theme, rooted in bass and message.
