Downtempo electronica music originated in the United Kingdom in the 1990s. It was one of those musical styles that partly grew out from the need to offer club visitors a chance to relax from impulsive and fast paced dance beats. Since it has similar elements to trip hop, ambient music, and chill out, the differences between those musical styles are not so big. However, downtempo still has its own distinctive characteristics, making it an independent genre.
