DJ siren and laser effects come from dancehall, reggae sound system and hip hop DJ culture, where DJs used sirens, air horns and synthesized zaps to hype crowds and mark transitions between tracks. As digital DJ drops became common in mixtapes, radio shows and online mixes in the 2000s and 2010s, short packs of sirens and lasers spread widely. This style is still used because it instantly signals excitement and a change of pace without needing music or speech.