The rhythm accent on the second and fourth beats of a four-beat measure in music, creating a syncopated feel common in rock and pop music.
From 'back' + 'beat'. The term emerged in the mid-20th century in popular music terminology, particularly with rhythm and blues and rock and roll, where emphasizing the 'back' beats (behind the main pulse) created a distinctive groove.
The backbeat is why rock and roll feels so different from classical music—it shifts emphasis away from the strong beats, creating a swagger that made Elvis's hips swing and changed popular music forever. It's one of the most important musical inventions of the 20th century.
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