Drum And Bass
Drum and bass music, often stylised drum n bass, DnB, or D&B, has emerged from the early 1990s underground rave and jungle scenes in the United Kingdom to become a global phenomena. The music of drum and bass varied, but was defined by its focus on fast syncopated breakbeat drum patterns and heavy basslines from which it derives its name. These traits were inherited from its roots in “jungle techno” and later just “jungle” music, which had the same high-tempo, sampled breakbeats, heavy basslines, and samples of older Jamaican music. As a result of using samples to create its music, drum and bass often incorporates influences from many other scenes and styles of music, with a major influence being the original Jamaican dub and reggae sound, and also jazz and funk...
Drum And Bass Today
The popularity of drum and bass at its commercial peak ran parallel to several other homegrown dance styles in the UK including big beat and hard house. Drum and bass has since fragmented into various subgenres within its scene ranging from jump up, liquid and minimal drum and bass to neurofunk & techstep. At the same time, it has also influenced many other genres like hip hop, big beat, dubstep, house, trip hop, ambient music, techno, rock and pop within its scene ranging from jump up, liquid and minimal drum and bass to neurofunk & techstep. At the same time, it has also influenced many other genres like hip hop, big beat, dubstep, house, trip hop, ambient music, techno, rock and pop.
Diligent Fingers
The DJ
Diligent Fingers is a multi-talented Drum & Bass and Hip Hop artist and event/radio host hailing from Manchester.
With over 15 years within the underground music scene under his belt, Dili ( as his friends call him ) has gone from djing at free raves to hosting and performing at countless events across the UK and Europe, working with many big names within Drum & Bass and Hip Hop such as Trigga, Genesis Elijah, Hazard, Audio, Prolix, Current Value, Liz E, Indika, DJ Hybrid, Saxxon, Kenny Ken and many more.
Too many names to list but resulting in releases with labels such as Millennium Jazz Music, Abnoxshuz Entertainment, G13 Records, Audio Addict, Nuusic Music, Juicy Fruit Recordings, Subwoofah Records, Run Tingz Recordings and forthcoming releases on Liquid Lab ( Brand new sister label to Colab recordings ), Short Circuit Records, Grid Recordings, Deep In The Jungle and many more to come in the future.
The Music
As a DJ, Producer, Host/MC, Rapper, Singer and budding Studio Engineer, Diligent Fingers is known for his high energy on the mic and behind the decks, melodic production and rhythmic, clever flows and lyrics.
Dili can currently be heard every Wednesday night on his new show Forward Motion 10pm - 12am on Bloc2Bloc Radio.
Diligent Fingers - Inspiration
With support from Ray Keith, Heist, Benny Colab, Rene LaVice, Aphrodite, Nicky Blackmarket, Rowney, Propz, Gold Dubs, Aries, Saxxon, London Electricity, Section, Valiant Emcee, Shadre & Salvage, K Jah, S Man and more, it looks like Dili is starting to get recognition for his talent.
Shadre & Salvage
The DJ's
Shadre & Salvage are two Drum & Bass Producers hailing from the North West United Kingdom. No strangers with in the Drum & Bass Community the two have been homing their craftsmanship for several years as a duo but their stories and background reach further afield.
From a young age, Shadre has been influenced to shape a career in the Drum & Bass scene. From being exposed to various styles of Electronic Dance Music dating back to the early 90s including Trance, Garage and Hardcore Jungle, his music certainly highlights the new age of Drum and Bass, whilst staying true to the roots that inspired him as much as possible. From his home town of Wigan, he has remained consistent with his Music Production studies and practice over the years, by taking part in highly regarded Diploma and Degree courses. Once his signature sound started to develop, Shadre began to seek feedback from the various artists and label owners. It was at this point when Shadre and Salvage were first introduced to each other which sparked a very close net friendship.
Salvage well known for his label 'Short Circuit Records' started his career over a decade a go. During his Music Studies he was known for putting on some of Manchester's biggest Drum & Bass Parties under Oh My God! & Energy back in 2010 with a Friendly team of local Drum & Bass Enthusiasts. This lasted for many Years and during that time strong connections with other Artists started to flourish. Salvage was a resident on Unity Radio 92.8fm and ran a frequent Drum and Bass show every Thursday from 21:00 / 23:00 featuring many guest DJs and MCs. In 2013 Salvage decided to leave the Event Organizing behind him and to pursue his original love in Music Production. It was around this time when he decided to launch his own label Short Circuit Records and has featured artists such as Recon / Rowney / Konichi / Supreme Being / Saxxon / Subview / Skore / Klay plus many more over the years and has gained much support from some of the industries heavier hitters.
The Music
It was in 2014 when Shadre first linked with Salvage. The two met on a night out and were introduced to each other. Salvage had already heard some positive feedback from other people with regarding Shadre and the two immediately hit things off. Shadre at the time showed great promise and Salvage was keen to get something signed from him. After nearly a Year in the making, Shadre's first EP release titled 'Bounce With The Riddim' would drop on Short Circuit Records in 2015 and received some amazing support.
Not long after Shadre & Salvage's friendship grew stronger. They started DJing on nights out back to back with each other and it felt natural. They both share similar tastes in styles and express their love for all things Drum & Bass. This can be heard in how diverse their sets can be but still have enthuses on the more energetic darker vibes.
In 2017 Salvage dropped his first Single on G13 Records with 'Don't Stop' . Running up to that Shadre & Salvage had made it a religion to be meeting up at least one day a week to work on Projects together, lay down new ideas and general have some fun with Sound Design. This wasn't intentional, it happened naturally. Shadre & Salvage quickly realized that their own personal weaknesses are resolved by the other persons strengths. Together they are a formidable team and it can clearly be heard in their most recent Music today.
In 2018 and through out 2019 they dropped their first 5 Track EP together with Time to Shine Vol 4 on G13 Records and since then have had singles on other labels such as, Short Circuit, Switch Recordings, Bagged & Tagged, Diamond Audio, Certifeid plus many more.
Shadre & Salvage - Inspiration
With forthcoming material in the works on Grid Recordings, Zombie Recordings, G13 Records, Calypso Musak through out 2020 they have already received and continue to receive great support from acts such as Hype, Hazard, Rowney & Propz, Saxxon, Rene La Vice BBC Radio 1 Xtra, Fabio & Grooverider, Twisted Individual, Nicky Black Market, Subzero to name a few.
Firing on all fours. 2020 is shaping up to be an highly anticipated year for the duo as they continue to grow from strength to strength as a partnership. An act you don't want to miss.
Mblaze
The DJ
Mblaze is a DnB DJ who has started to make moves amongst the scene the past few years.
The Music
He became a resident for Random Concept and their Academy after winning the 2013 Dj competition after the third time of trying which massively helped to boost his DJ portfolio and feature on many more RC nights for a good 5 years.
He’s also heavily involved with the Volume brand which he helped to set up and has had the pleasure to play on many events alongside some massive artists and help bring back the good days of drum&bass to Oxford.
The Inspiration
His love of DJ'ing and putting on a show has helped him get on to some massive nights and festivals across the uk and also abroad supporting all the top name DJ's and MC’s in the scene. He's been lucky enough to get on Mc Eksmans NextHype events practically from the beginning playing in the newcomers rooms and working his way up to mainstage sets. Has also featured on the BBC 1xtra DnB show twice with CrissyCriss where he played a guest mix on a newcomers special which featured Tyke and Annix and then again on the Fresh Talent show which helped him get involved in the CrissyCriss&friends nights which has boosted his profile a lot more since then and been added onto some very big line ups across the country and overseas.
If you've ever seen an Mblaze set you would of seen how much energy goes into his playing, non stop jumping around for an hour or more as he just enjoys the music too much.
EMGEE
The DJ
When Emgee was at school he used to buy jungle records with pocket money and play them on his mum's single deck hifi. Emgee had no idea about DJing at all, he just used to love the music. He remembers being the only one in his class listening to Harcore Jungle. Emgee's Dad started running a pub in Brixton and he had decks in there... That's when the love affair started 1994. Emgee self taught himself on those dusty belt drive all in one disco turntables in the mornings before the pub opened, he wasn't allowed to play in the day because it would scare the punters lol - RIP DAD.
The Music
Emgee spent most of his childhood in record shops buying Jungle and Reggae, luckily he had a few friends that had decks so he was always able to rinse out someone's electric mixing for hours. Eventually Emgee was given opportunities at different times to play on pirate radios and raves which he did for a number of years. Emgee did make music in the late 90's early 2000's it was dark stuff, probably what would be Neuro now ( Emgee is a dark one at heart). Bringing him to his playing style which is dark hard hitting rollage with a sprinkle of jump up. Emgee had a massive break from the scene due to work (10 years or so) until a good friend of his told him about 'Next Hype' and that he should enter the competition's, which he did and won a set. After that Emgee became a resident in 2016 and played regularly. Emgee bit the bullet and finally bought himself his first pair of decks and started entering more competitions and winning more sets. Now Emgee is back on this journey so who knows where he will end up.
Emgee - The Inspiration
Emgee's inspiration comes from his friends that he has had for years telling him that he is a good DJ but he never really believed it..... so now he is trying to do them proud finally.....
DYNAMIK
The DJ
Dynamik, hailing from East Sussex, UK; has plenty of experience in the game. Dynamik spent the first 8-9 years of his DJ career, teaching young under privileged youth in his local area how to DJ and produce music. He worked in tandem with respond academy and spent years building it from a youth group in to a fully working school/academy for kids that cannot participate in a main stream school environment
The Music
With about 20 years behind the decks, he's well versed in what the crowd wants to hear. Specialising in Drum and Bass, Dynamik also has dabbled in many other genres mixing Hip-Hop, Grime, Garage and Bassline, thus meaning he's no stranger to a filthy beat. His eclectic flair and diversity, makes him a one of a kind addition to the music world.
Dynamik - Inspiration
Ever evolving, and improving his talents Dynamik has been making waves in his area in the DnB community for years, with an array of new opportunities on his horizon. he is also a full time Cre8DnB resident.
BLINDSIDED
The DJ
BlindSided is a highly talented up and coming Drum & Bass artist who is truly an inspiration to us all. Back in 2014 BlindSided was having extensive laser treatment on his eyes, unfortunately in 2016 he had a retinal detachment in his right eye which he had to have major surgery to correct - this surgery failed. After a few months and due to the nature of diabetic retinopathy, his eye sight continued to deteriorate. BlindSided at the moment has approximately 20% remaining vision in his left eye and no vision at all in his right eye.
After this happened, BlindSided almost gave up but what really turned his life around was his young son, Harry. BlindSided knew that his son was taking his father's sight loss all in his stride and that if his young son Harry could do it - then so could he!
BlindSided prior to his site loss played on vinyl decks but struggled with these after the loss with vinyl decks as he knocked the tone arm and scratched the needles across the decks. Forever determined, BlindSided took the plunge and bought himself a set of CDJ's in 2019 and hasn't looked back since. BlindSided's site has now deteriorated even further and the news of losing his site totally has been devastating for him. Music keeps him sane and with or without site this DJ is one to be watched. He is an up and coming star and amazes me with every set he does. Blindsided was worried if people new about his site they may feel sorry for him and not judge him for his music. This couldn't be further from the truth. This man has the best tune selection ever and every set he does you can feel the love behind it. BlindSided is one in a million and a shining star - if you comment on his sets and he misses the shout out to you - just make an allowance for the loss of site ;)
The Music
Blindsided loves how drum & bass makes him feel. With hardly any sight he can feel every tune he plays and this emanates from every set he does. Drum and bass is his main passion and makes him forget all his worries and insecurities just for that moment and that's when he realised he still had a huge purpose in life and his way forward. Blindsided is a resident DJ at Twisted Radio (IWAT), Eze pro D&B, Unity Vibe Radio, Nottingham Bomb Squad & JoeD the Drum and Bass Pirate. He is also a valued member of the team at Indulgence With A Twist.
The Inspiration
Blindsided always had a passion for music and grew to love drum and bass from a young age, He tried DJ'ing when he was in his teen years but never took it seriously. Three years ago after he lost the majority of his sight, he felt like his life was over. Music has helped and shown him a way to carry on and was so thankful to be able to still achieve something in his life - not only for him but also to show his son Harry, nothing should ever hold you back. Blindsides quote.......
'Music is my key to happiness'