BBC Radio 1 - Turn It Up: A Short History of Drum & Bass Episode 6

[Music] Introduction

The introduction sets the stage for exploring the history and rise of drum and bass music, highlighting its influence on various aspects of life.

Drum and Bass Evolution

• Drum and bass emerges as a significant genre impacting workouts, nightlife, and breaking new ground.

• DJ Fresh's experience during a hospital stay leads to a realization of drum and bass's growing popularity.

• Drum and bass transitions from underground to mainstream with hits like "Gold Dust" gaining widespread appeal.

Mainstream Recognition

• Pendulum's impact on bringing drum and bass into the mainstream music scene is acknowledged.

• Pendulum's involvement in live performances at major events like Radio One Weekender showcases the genre's growth.

Female Representation in Drum and Bass

The discussion shifts towards the evolution of female representation within the drum and bass community, focusing on DJ Storm's initiative.

Feline Nightclub Initiative

• DJ Storm introduces an all-female lineup at Herbal nightclub, marking a significant shift in the male-dominated scene.

• The creation of B9 with female DJs reflects progress in promoting gender diversity within drum and bass events.

Community Engagement

• Memories of Feline DMB TV live streams highlight the intimate, DIY nature of early drum and bass events.

Similarities Between Dub Reggae and Dubstep

The discussion highlights the shared heritage between dub reggae and dubstep, emphasizing the inspiration drawn from both genres.

Heritage Connection

• Both dub reggae and dubstep are ultimately descended from dub reggae, creating a significant connection between the two genres.

Studio Environment

• The studio environment where music was created had a rich pop history, owned by Pete Waterman, an 80s pop producer. Despite this history, the studio was used for producing bass-heavy music like drum and bass and dubstep.

Creative Atmosphere at the Studio

Chase and Status recall an incredible time of creativity in writing music at the studio, highlighting the vibrant community feel among key players in drum and bass (dmb) and dubstep.

Creative Hub

• The studio provided a space vibe with a strong sense of community among artists like Shy FX, Sub Focus, and Nero. This close proximity fostered collaboration and idea-sharing.

Successes in Genre Experimentation

The text discusses how Fresh's experimentation with genre led to unexpected success in 2011 with his first UK number one single in dubstep.

Genre Exploration

• While it took time for the public to embrace drum and bass, Fresh found quick success experimenting with dubstep. In 2011, he achieved his first UK number one single "Louder," marking a significant milestone in his career.

Transition to Mainstream Success

Chase and Status transitioned from underground acclaim to mainstream success through vocal collaborations that propelled them into headlining major stages like Glastonbury.

Mainstream Recognition

• Signing to a major label for their second album expanded Chase and Status' popularity. Vocal collaborations led them to headline Glastonbury's West Holts stage, showcasing their evolution from underground artists to mainstream headliners.

Collaborations with Superstars

A management deal with Roc Nation allowed Chase and Status to produce for global superstars like Rihanna, bridging the gap between drum and bass production and mainstream pop music.

Industry Collaborations

• Working with Roc Nation enabled Chase & Status to produce for artists like Rihanna. This collaboration marked a shift towards working with pop stars while maintaining their roots in drum and bass production.

Evolution of Electronic Music Scene

Sub Focus reflects on the growth of electronic music scene around late '90s coinciding with EDM boom in the States as jungle drum & bass artists worked alongside big names in music industry.

Electronic Music Growth

• Around late '90s, electronic music saw significant growth globally. Artists like Sub Focus witnessed EDM's rise alongside jungle drum & bass's increasing influence on mainstream music collaborations.

Genre Fusion Successes

DJ Fresh discusses blending different genres within his productions while maintaining audience interest through innovative song structures that balance familiarity with experimentation.

Genre Fusion Approach

• DJ Fresh experimented with blending drama bass elements into other genres while exploring new song structures. His track "Hot Right Now" featuring Rita Ora exemplified this fusion successfully by combining drama bass backing tracks with catchy pop vocals.

Drum & Bass Breakthrough Success

DJ Fresh celebrates achieving Drum & Bass's first UK number one hit as "Hot Right Now" featuring Rita Ora tops charts, signaling a breakthrough moment for the genre into mainstream recognition.

Chart-Topping Achievement

History and Impact of Drum and Bass

The transcript discusses the unexpected rise in popularity of drum and bass music, its unique sound, and the influence it has had on mainstream music culture.

Rise of Drum and Bass

• Drum and bass unexpectedly became popular, topping the UK charts, surprising even long-time supporters like Fabio.

• DJ Flight highlights the significant moment when drum and bass achieved mainstream success with multiple top ten hits by artists like Fresh.

Unique Sound of Drum and Bass

• The abstract nature of drum and bass with intricate drum patterns continues to stand out in mainstream music.

• Despite its unconventional sound, some still find it reminiscent of a car crashing down a hill, emphasizing its distinctiveness.

Future Outlook for Drum and Bass

• DJ Flight expresses satisfaction that not everyone appreciates drum and bass as it maintains its niche appeal.

• Emphasizes the importance of elevating the genre's recognition while preserving its unique characteristics for future generations.

Drum and Bass: Continuing Evolution

This part focuses on the increasing visibility of women artists in drum and bass, driven by new technologies and social media platforms. It also mentions the genre's ongoing success with another number one hit.

Women Artists in Drum and Bass

• New wave of women artists gaining prominence due to advancements in technology and social media platforms.

• Drum and bass continues to thrive with female artists contributing significantly to its evolution.

Ongoing Success of Drum and Bass

• Highlighting drum and bass hitting number one again, showcasing its enduring popularity.