0 reactions
Thiyou asIftofrUK Garage Digest 2023
Hi everyone!
Just wanted to share some great music coming out of my favourite genre this year. UK Garage (and it's associated subgenres) has been going through something of a revival in recent years and I'd love to get more eyes on it, especially in places outside the UK (so that I can go and mix there hahaha).
**The Heavy Hitters**
Here's a breakdown of the most popular artists in the scene right now and some of their best tunes to come out of this year, as well some bits to look forward to.
**Sammy Virji**
*It's Virji, isn't it?* Arguably one of the most prominent producers on the new UKG scene right now, Virji's joyful, wobbly and R&B influenced basslines have been capturing hearts across the UK. His enthusiasm when he plays is nothing short of infectious and nothing highlights this better than his incredible DJ Mag set https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLcvUGn_4Vom this year. Some people may find his stuff overly saccharine, which is a fair critique, but it's safe to say his tunes will always get most normal people moving.
**Sammy Virji & Flowdan - Shella Verse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju6oQ7qJrdg**
Run that again rude boy!* Grime legend Flowdan has always lent his voice to UK bass music to great effect, and Sammy's remix of his 2018 tune "Shell A Verse" is no exception. Punchy percussion and growling basslines had this tune damaging dancefloors long before it's official release this year. It also fired the starter pistol for everyone and their mum making Flowdan acapella UKG remixes.
**Sammy Virji & salute - Peach https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28QtOdrgNGM**
On this release, Sammy teamed up with fellow UKG and leftfield house darling salute. Together, they've crafted a joyful and euphoric 4x4 groover that makes you feel like you're skanking on a cloud.
**Champion & Sammy Virji - Hot in Here https://soundcloud.com/championdj/champion-x-sammy-virji-hot-1**
Sammy's latest release, for me anyway, was a very welcome return to his wobbly bassline roots. A collaboration with London's Champion, the crunchy snares accentuate a bassline so bouncy it'll leave an ache in your neck if you dare nod along.
**Sammy Virji & 33 Below - Dub It In (unreleased) https://soundcloud.com/eyedeez/sammy-virji-33-below-dub-it-in**
Finally, a little something to look forward to. New Zealand producer 33 Below has come together with Virji to create an absolutely disgusting rolling warper of a tune, closer to 140 and dubstep than UKG. Hopefully we'll see this one drop next year.
**MPH**
One of the more versatile producers, MPH has proven he can bring it all from smooth and soulful UKG to ravenous basslines. Check out his incredible UKF set https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ES8v6tbN4h see him in action.
**MPH - Ghost https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2Q1VSAwUQ0**
PH kicked off the year with his debut album, 132k me, Ghost is the standout tune from this record. Wailing bass and schizophrenic sampling come together beautifully on this one.
**MPH & Royal-T - Compass https://soundcloud.com/mph-uk/compass**
North, south, east!* My most played song on Spotify this year and with good reason. MPH teamed up with bassline veteran Royal-T to provide a 4x4 tunes with a bit of everything. The bouncy melody, the singalong sample and the unrelenting bass come together in perfect harmony on this one.
**MPH - Overrated https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F1OnSYFcEQ**
ther tune that had been making the rounds a good year before it saw an official release. Every time I drop this tune in a set, everyone damn near shits their pants. The unassuming build-up culminates into a vicious drop consisting of that classic rolling bassline assisted by a breaky drum pattern.
**MPH & Cammie Robinson - Run It (unreleased) https://soundcloud.com/eyedeez/mph-ft-cammie-robinson-run-it**
nother disgusting roller in a similar vein to Overrated, coming in early 2024. My body honestly doesn't even know what to do when it hears this one.
**Oppidan**
*Opp!* Queen of the scene, and my favourite electronic music producer currently working. Her productions have such a unique, distinct and consistent voice. I've also met her out and about in Bristol a couple of times and can confirm she's the loveliest person you'll ever meet.
**Oppidan - Remember https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUlXLnbQEFI**
Oppidan kicked off the year with this shuffly 4x4 groover. Equal parts emotional and danceable.
**Oppidan - Move Your Feet bootleg https://soundcloud.com/oppidanmusic/oppidan-move-your-feet-bootleg**
is bootleg of the Junior Senior classic has no business being as good as it is. Drop this into a set for a fake out drop that will get great responses from any crowd.
**Oppidan - Bloop! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPNL_53p0s8**
I believe this is her first foray into speedier music. A zooming 172 BPM jungle/dnb lovechild.
**Oppidan - Mr Sandman dub (unreleased) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iehJDKou6QA**
Saw her drop this ridiculous bouncy 4x4 dub of an iconic classic in Bristol earlier this year. I'm not optimistic for an official release given the sample, but hopefully she'll drop this as a SoundCloud freebie at some point.
**Y U QT**
2023 has been a great year for this genre-fluid duo. Whether it's garage, funky or jungle, these two have proven their versality and adaptability throughout all of their productions.
**Y U QT - Y'all Ready For This https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DoHz87-fs reimagining of the 2 Unlimited classic adapts the iconic vocal sample and melody into a part hardcore, part jungle stomper.
**Y U QT - Sprinter Dub https://soundcloud.com/y_u_qt/sprinter-dub**
nd Central Cee's UK hip hop banger flipped into a minimal, dark and bassy 2-step warper.
**Y U QT - Apricots dub https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVoot3l2TkE**
icep's beautiful tune adapted into a frenetic UK funky bumper.
**Drinks On Me**
Always has a soft spot for this London based producer whose productions flow effortlessly from house to garage to bassline and beyond. I'm particularly partial to the way this guy switches his drops up within the same tracks to ensure a dynamic listening experience that keeps you on your toes.
**Drinks On Me & Hans Glader - Flaws https://soundcloud.com/drinksonmemusic/flaws**
A dreamy collab with New York based UKG hero, Hans Glader. Hypnotic 2-step into a bouncy 4x4 beat in the back half.
**Drinks On Me - Don't Know If You Know https://soundcloud.com/drinksonmemusic/dont-know-if-you-know**
ve the crunchy breakbeat drums on this one.
**Habstrakt - Outer Space (Drinks On Me remix) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbnT1x4MaM0**
ample manipulation in the second drop is incredible.
If your keen for more, here are my honourable mentions for the heavy hitters coming out of UKG this year:
Interplanetary Criminal
Soul Mass Transit System
Main Phase
IZCO
Higgo
Hans Glader
Disclosure
Badger
Skeptic
Tommy Villiers
**Rising Stars**
Here are some of the more lesser known artists in the scene who have been gaining traction this year.
**scruz**
Love this guy. I meet him a lot out and about and we always have nice conversations. In the world, of bouncy, upbeat and feel good 4x4 UKG, you can't really do much better.
**scruz - Keep https://soundcloud.com/xox-scruz/keep**
- everything https://soundcloud.com/xox-scruz/scruz-everything**
**Disclosure - Purify (scruz edit) https://soundcloud.com/xox-scruz/disclosure-purify-scruz-edit**
**
*Every time!* Brighton's finest speed garage extraordinaire.
**Bushbaby - Cutty Dub 23 https://soundcloud.com/bushbaby/bushbaby-cutty-dub-24**
**Bushbaby - Locked On https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cuj7Z9FWHNo**
shbaby - Champagne Bubblers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_XaE-MZn7g**
**bullet tooth**
*So what do I call you? Bullet tooth?* Incognito London producer. He started dropping a string of bootlegs this year that are shockingly consistent and high quality.
**Kano & Giggs - 3 WHEEL-UPS (bullet tooth bootleg https://soundcloud.com/prodbybullettooth/3-wheel-ups-kano-giggs-bullet-tooth-bootleg**
and Status - Baddadan (bullet tooth bootleg) https://soundcloud.com/prodbybullettooth/free-dl-baddadan-bullet-tooth-bootleg**
*Ms. Dynamite - Booo! (bullet tooth bootleg) https://soundcloud.com/prodbybullettooth/booo-bullet-tooth-bootleg-ms-dynamite**
**
Former house producer turned wobbly garage legend.
**Wildchild - Renegade Master (efan bootleg) https://soundcloud.com/efanuk/renegade-master-efan-bootleg**
*Disclosure - White Noise (efan bootleg) https://soundcloud.com/efanuk/white-noise-efan-bootleg**
**AWOLNATION - Run (efan bootleg) https://soundcloud.com/efanuk/run-efan-bootleg**
ILLI**
Straying slightly away from traditional UKG here, but this guy's twisted take on pop infused jungle, breaks and zooming 4x4 is too special to not mention. Shoutout Max.
**POLO LILLI - NOSEBLEED 165 https://soundcloud.com/polo-lilli/nosebleed-165**
- Asereje (POLO LILLI Bootleg) https://soundcloud.com/polo-lilli/las-ketchup-asereje-polo-lilli-bootleg**
ave - Ghetto Blaster (POLO LILLI remix) https://soundcloud.com/polo-lilli/we-rob-rave-ghetto-blaster-polo-lilli-remix-ssbb006**
ay too much talent on the way up to talk about it all here, but here are some honourable mentions for the UKG rising stars this year.
PJ Statham
Disaffected
Ashdunn
Marswalkz
AS.98
Jamie Hai
ZeroFG
Mavros
DJ CDQ
AL
Steppers Club (Zefer, Sensa, Minista, Sam Deeley)
Mar'One
unknown david
OldBoy
ODF
Thanks for checking out this post! I'm pretty plugged into the scene at this point, so if anyone wants more please let me know.
#music
W
**We Rob R
**Las Ketchup
**POLO L
*
**efan
*
**Chase
**Bu
**Bushbaby
**scruz
One of the most ludicrously powerful drum and bass tunes I've ever heard. The s
Lo
B
Dave a 5w**
Th
A
Ano
* .00FM .
M I
* M
source
| 7,000 mlx | |
| 7 | |
| 0 |