How did dubstep become popular in the early 2010s?

In the early 2010s, dubstep—a genre characterized by prominent bass lines and syncopated drum patterns—gained significant popularity as part of a broader surge in electronic dance music (EDM) within the United States.12

This rise was driven by several factors that helped transition dance music from specialist circles into the mainstream. The growth of the internet facilitated easier access to non-mainstream music, while the integration of dance-music production techniques into pop and hip-hop expanded its reach. Additionally, the proliferation of large-scale stadium events, such as the Electric Daisy Carnival, provided a massive platform for the genre. Specifically, the producer Skrillex is credited with popularizing dubstep during this period, cementing its place as a key component of the new wave of stadium-oriented dance music.2