Black Women of DNB/Jungle (2019)
DJ #Kemistry (RIP). one half of dynamic duo #KemistryandStorm, co-founder of Metalheadz, my (& many others’) catalyst for taking up DJing. would ‘Headz even exist, if not for Kemi’s influence? definitely not as we know it today.
Rachel Wallace. singer/songwriter of massive #rave anthems Tell Me Why & I Feel This Way, released on Suburban Base in the early ‘90s. Rachel’s also released songs across #house, #breaks, & other dance genres; worked with Ben Mono, Jamie Cullum, Stereo MCs; plus still tours & performs extensively- anyone going to Connected at the legendary Lydd Airport this weekend can catch her there.
Tania Lee. a real veteran, Tania has run UMC Management since ‘93- looking after the bookings of JJ Frost, SS, General Levy, Nicky BM, Ratpack, Moose, DJ Ron + more. label managed Formation Records, Ebony/ Digital Soundboy; plus worked with snooker & X Factor personalities, amongst other things.
Jenna G. the very definition of a ‘G’: singer, songwriter, band leader, presenter, actor, mentor... one of the foremost artists in not just #dnb, but dance music in general, Queen Jenna has worked with a who’s who of producers and created numerous anthems ('Midnight' and 'In Love' just 2 examples still played regularly). catch her on the road performing with own band Jenna & the G’s, at Alberts Schloss cabaret venue in #Manchester, + many more.
Dark Pheonix. first heard #Jungle on #KoolFM in ‘91 aged 6; began rapping in ‘97 & mixing in ‘98, but chose to concentrate on the former. After taking a music break, Pheonix came back to DJing in 2014. Following guest spots on various stations she earned a bi-weekly Kool London show last year (Mondays 1-3pm); played at #KoolSessions, #JungleSplash, + is resident at #RaverzAssemble, Fire & Lightbox.
ELISABETH TROY. singer-songwriter of numerous UK singles chart hits and underground anthems, including Soundman & Don Lloydie Greater Love, Headstrong (Mars Attacks), Y-Tribe Enough is Enough, MJ Cole Crazy Love, 4Vini, B.Traits Fever, Metrik Want My Love, + more. also worked closely with Fish (Marillion) and Clean Bandit. a legend.
Diane Charlemagne aka D-Empress (RIP). singer-songwriter, Queen, ICON. member of Britfunk/soul bands 52nd Street, Cool Down Zone; earned numerous chart hits w/Urban Cookie Collective; toured w/Moby; recorded w/Satoshi Tomiie, D:Ream, Calibre, various Hospital artists, Aquasky ++ more. for many, her best enduring and most affecting songs appeared on Synthetic, Reinforced Records, Metalheadz/FFRR: #Kemistry, #Angel, You Held My Hand, Better Place, #Timeless/#InnerCityLife, etc. one of the greatest, most powerful, incredible voices to EVER grace UK music- this post all the more poignant as today marks 4 years since Diane’s passing
(photo by Matt Cheetham)
Josey Rebelle. DJ, radio presenter, writer. a self-professed obsessive lover of #Jungle and #KoolFM, Josey learned to mix as a young teen but didn’t play out ‘til later- soon after earned a residency @ the legendary Plastic People and Rinse FM show (hear her every Sunday 9-11pm). the years between saw Josey manage Valve Recordings; forging a regular release schedule + many Sound System appearances up and down the country. one of the most dedicated, knowledgable and excellent DJs around.
Jay Davidson. BBC senior marketing exec. Jay’s extensive experience ranges from #KissFM club marketing; to DefJam & RawkusUK product/label management; Movement & V club nights; BBC 1Xtra launch & brand manager (created station’s image, heavy involvement in Xtra Bass tours/other events); strategic development for BBC comedies, BBC3 rebrand & CBBC; commissioned & exec produced recent #BBC4 #pirateradio, #hiphop, & #grime documentaries presented by Rodney P; + a whole lot more. powerhouse!
MarshMeLLo. MC, singer-songwriter, DJ, promoter, radio presenter. from 'Headz @ Blue Note raving & Reinforced Records Dollis Hill hanging; to MCing w/DJ Debra, Lady Miss Keir, 100% Dynamite; vox on #Tek9, RootsManuva, Basement Jaxx, Alex Attias, Brandt Brauer Frick LPs/tours; CoOp Presents mic controller; OG co-founder of Lady Bugz; founder of 7s Unda the Stairz & TwoTimers nights; and that’s not all of it! the very 1st show to broadcast on NTS Radio, hear Midnight Marauders Sunday nights 10pm.
G Magikal. “a raver who DJs”, Grace grew up on reggae & funk and has been mixing since 2005. her sets are full of energy with a focus on underground selections from the ‘golden era’ years of #hardcore #jungle #tekno: 1991-1993/4. resident at Raindance, G also plays regularly at Club Labrynth, Distant Planet, Rupture, + more. wicked DJ! get to know #dnb’s roots.
MC #Chickaboo. badgyal from day. the FIRST woman #jungle MC. Boo cemented her status alongside music partner GE Real (RIP); also smashes breaks, house, techno, reggae, soul (II soul), & any genre she turns her hand to, + earned mainstream chart success & mentors the younger generation. keep an eye out for more new releases coming soon
DJ AMA. up-and-coming DJ currently residing in Bournemouth. AMA’s music journey began in 2008- producing IDM after uni. this summer saw her play Outlook & Boomtown Festivals, Enter/Drumfunk, + continue her residency with House of Hi-Fi. to get a taste of AMA’s style, check her instalment of the #EQ50 mix series
Sahra. another essential part of #dnb’s backbone; 1/2 of dynamic duo “Sahra & Jo”. in addition to running her own PR company & DJ agency, Zsa Zsar has managed labels, run club nights, and been an integral driving force for some of the biggest & best in Dance music: Reinforced Records, Metalheadz, #Timeless, CoOp, World Dance, Dance Valley, Echo Location, Function Records, Inneractive Music, Shy FX, + many more. one of the realest and loveliest folks in the scene.
Sheba Q. nearer the beginning of her journey, Sheba is a promoter, budding DJ and sometime singer. founded Jam in the Attic at Ritzy, Brixton in 2018; and reps the deep bass and breaks #Jungle side of the spectrum.
Eva Lazarus. singer-songwriter & MC who covers many bases. Eva’s vocals have graced numerous #dnb tracks by Zed Bias, Benny Page, Etherwood, Sam Binga, Aries + more; also worked with Swindle, The Nextmen, DJ Yoda, Stanton Warriors; and this summer released the More Fyah album with Mungos Hi-Fi.
DJ Flight. a record shop regular (Unique Muzik/ BM Soho); PR toe-dipper (Phuture Trax); my club residencies have included Metalheadz, Swerve, Prototype/ Kaos/ Autonomic @ Fabric, Locus Bristol, Space Breaks Frankfurt, Grace @ Herbal, Feline, Genre; radio presenter- from pirate, internet & community, to being the FIRST- and only, until recently -woman to host a national, weekly D&B show (The Next Chapter/ BBC Radio 1Xtra); recorded mix CDs for Reinforced Records & Defunked; was one of #Calibre Signature Recordings' earliest UK supporters; helped bring through Breakage + new wave of producers; owner/A&R of play:musik (released Martyn's first ever 12”); released my music on Bassbin, Critical, 31, Product; EQ50 organiser; and producer for multi award-winning charity Prison Radio Association
Becca Wren fka DJ Bekah. from education projects w/Urban Development, to video production & creative development at #SBTV, Selfridges, #RinseFM, Noisey & Thump, Beats by Dre, #Beats1, & Apple Music; plus video development for Shy FX & Metalheadz. Becca’s been involved in running Eglo Records events, Rupture (curating room 2 #dubstep lineups), #PlasticPeople; is a brilliant DJ- hear her at Rupture 13th Birthday -AND was a big influence in the forming of EQ50. superwoman
Kyo. singer-songwriter whose name is synonymous with Symmetry Recordings. involved with the label since it began, Kyo has worked with Total Science, One Mind, Mikal, and of course Break- with whom she also co-founded #dub #reggae #soul band Degrees of Freedom -and released on Gutterfunk, Outlook Recs, Invaderz Transmissions.
Kate Theophilus. A&R/label manager, exec/project producer. ran Talkin’ Loud’s A&R dept, worked w/#4Hero, #NuYoricanSoul, @dj_krust, & @ronisizebristol Reprazent (winning #MercuryPrize). on to Ozone NYC w/@saulwilliams (hooked up Coded Language), Mike Ladd & El-P; exec produced Dego’s Tek9; linked w/Gilles Peterson again @brownswood; project producer in British Council music dept for global projects incl #RinseFM Cairo Calling; Bass Culture research project; also wrote for The Fader/other music mags, and hosted an NPR show. inspiring.
Lorna King. Manchester-born, Bristol-based singer-songwriter. written and performed with live Drum & Bass band Dr Meaker; also worked with Rowney & Propz, ALIBI, and most recently MAKOTO, releasing on labels such as V, Hospital, Viper, and Circus. look out for a forthcoming collaboration with Jumpin Jack Frost.
Jo Hines. it’s imperative we big up womxn behind the scenes, not just in the forefront. Jo is truly part of D&B’s backbone- from her work at Vinyl Distribution, co-running the Metalheadz office, label and club nights; running DJ Clinic agency; **co-founding & running the original incarnation of #Feline @ Herbal, Shoreditch**, to present day artist liaison at Roast, Hospitality, Sun & Bass, Oval Space/ Pickle Factory, many top #house events + so much more. If Jo’s working, things run smoothly and you’re extremely well looked after. Diamond!
Sonia Redd. promoter, agent, singer. from doing #Orange @ Astoria’s guest list; to her own #CuckooClub and breakfast boat raves; to #Innersense @ Lazerdrome- a breeding ground for new DJs (Kemistry & Storm, Nut-E-1) + tune premieres (Doc Scott ‘NHS’) -in 6 months weekly attendance grew from 600 to 2500. after 4 years Sonia joined Caroline @ Unique Artists taking bookings for Hype, Andy C, Ed Rush + more - the first agency to tour artists in USA, NZ & Aus. Sonia featured on Phantasy and Bad Company tunes; heads vocal group Jah Menenites, and currently works helping people who’ve lost loved ones. a pioneer and titan!
Onallee. multi award-winning singer-songwriter; founding member, co-writer and lead vocalist of Roni Size / Reprazent- a band who together won the 1997 #mercuryprize for their debut, game-changing album ‘New Forms’. most recently Onallee has recorded with @needformirrors, D Product, Nitri, Carl Cox + more. respects to a #bristol legend!
Shirley Hutchinson. Queen of V RECORDINGS. instrumental in the V group growing and maintaining a profile as one of the best/ most influential by managing the office and label- including subsidiaries CHRONIC & PHILLY BLUNT -ensuring everything ran smoothly during the peak vinyl heydays of pressing and releasing numerous classic 12”s, big compilations, and promoting parties that popped off.
Robyn Chaos. DJ, singer, writer, producer, promoter (Therapy Sessions), agent (Anger Management), 1/2 of Faith in Chaos; a force to be reckoned with. Robyn almost single-handedly nurtured and grew the darkside #dnb scene to its worldwide status of today, promoting artists such as Audio, The Panacea, Limewax, Counterstrike, Dylan + many more.
Mel Lioness. co-manages #LifeFM (alongside Paul Roast), which celebrates its 20th birthday this year. the station broadcasts 24/7, giving both new and established DJs a platform to showcase their skills. Mel’s also DJ’d for 30+ years, beginning as a teen at blues parties, but taken it more seriously for the last 10-15. love to the lifefm crew!
Julia Toppin. label manager at Digital 101 Recordings, promoter of Playlist event at Goldsmiths, University of London, lecturer in Music Business & English, TV producer, and writer extraordinaire. Julia recently completed her MA thesis on #womenindnb, “They’re Not In It Like the Man Dem”
Terri Walker. singer-songwriter. UK #soul queen Terri’s worked across various genres alongside her own music: from Goldie’s Journey Man album & live tour with Heritage Orchestra, A.I, Spectrasoul; Swindle, Delinquent Project, Shanks & Bigfoot; to Omar Lye-Fook, Moses Boyd, Reverend & the Makers, + many more. a true legend.
#6FigureGang members SHERELLE, FAUZIA, Jossy Mitsu, Yazzus. DJs, producers, radio presenters, label owners/ managers; an all round inspiring crew who rep the #jungle, #footwork, #160, #hardcore and #rave sides of the spectrum (alongside other genres), and have been smashing clubs, festivals and live streams for a minute- bringing a whole new generation of young #junglists with them. seek out these cool cats ASAP- as a collective or individually -if you are yet to hear/ see.
MC Starz. one half of duo Starz & Deeza, collaborating since 2008. known for their Sinister Projects mixtapes w/Lady V Dubz & Jayline; Starz has appeared on Kool, Rough Tempo, Pyro, Origin, Deja Vu; played at NASS, Innovation, Breakin Science, Bar Rage, held residencies at Random Concept & Next Hype; plus reached Germany, Spain, Belgium & France. look out for the new single and video just dropped.