BBC Radio 1 - Turn It Up: A Short History of Drum & Bass Episode 2

Drum and Bass: The Evolution of a Genre

The transcript delves into the evolution of drum and bass music, highlighting its rise in popularity, influence on various scenes, and the challenges faced by the genre.

Rise of Drum and Bass in the 90s

• Jungle music emerged as a dominant force in the UK during the early 1990s, permeating various aspects of society from cars to radios.

• The music scene was characterized by rapid evolution with increasing tempo and darker sounds, leading to iconic nights like Rage and Roast in London.

• Cassettes and tape packs played a crucial role in spreading drum and bass music widely, serving as both promotional tools for artists and affordable options for fans.

Influence of Local Scenes

• Bristol's rich cultural heritage contributed significantly to the development of drum and bass through diverse influences such as dance techno and reggae.

• Bristol's vibrant scene birthed influential crews like Roughneck Ting and Full Cycle, fostering creativity among artists like Roni Size, Crust, Sub Focus, DJ Die.

Challenges Faced by Drum and Bass

• Despite promoting peace, love, unity, respect (PLUR), drum and bass faced backlash from media outlets portraying negative stereotypes leading to a PR problem.

Racism and Evolution of Jungle Music

The discussion delves into the presence of racism within the music scene, particularly in relation to jungle music, leading to a split among promoters due to differing views on incorporating raga jungle.

Racism in the Music Scene

• Some individuals in the music scene were racist, causing a split during a meeting where promoters disagreed on including raga jungle.

• The press hindered the use of the term "jungle," while government struggled to understand and control the genre.

Impact of Media Backlash on Jungle Music

The impact of media backlash on jungle music is explored, highlighting how negativity led to evolution and growth within the genre.

Media Backlash and Evolution

• Negative portrayal tarnished ragamuffin inside jungle unfairly.

• Media shift towards drum and bass hurt fans but spurred innovation; birthed cutting-edge platforms like Metalheads.

Founding of Metalheads Label

Goldie's vision for Metalheads label is discussed, tracing its inception back to 1994 with a focus on explorative beats.

Inception of Metalheads

• Goldie's dream materialized with Metalheads' founding in August 1994.

• Label aimed at innovative beats; early releases featured Goldie and Doc Scott.

Evolution of Metalheads Club Night

The evolution of Metalheads club night from its inception to becoming a pivotal platform for drum and bass artists is detailed.

Growth of Metalheads Club Night

• Initial releases attracted attention from major labels; London Records signed Goldie for debut album release.

• Blue Note residency elevated Metalheads' status as an innovative hub for drum and bass experimentation.

Significance of Speed Club Night

Speed club night's importance in shaping deep atmospheric jazz-funk sounds within the drum and bass scene is highlighted.

Impactful Speed Club Night

• Speed at Mars Bar nurtured deep atmospheric jazz-funk sounds; key figures like LTJ Bukem and Fabio spearheaded innovation.

Creation of Drum & Bass Music Industry

The emergence of major label signings, industry awards, and media interest marked a significant phase in drum and bass music history.

Establishment of Drum & Bass Industry