How young artists are transforming drum 'n' bass
The idea of younger artists and promoters attracting younger crowds is an interesting discussion point with everyone we speak to. With a new generation of ravers comes a new generation of headliners and champions. The end of Andy C’s lifelong run of Best DJ awards last year is an example of this. But does age matter if you’re still able to annihilate a dancefloor?“No, if you’re smashing it, you’re smashing it,” states Kanine, who was crowned Best Newcomer at the 2019 Drum&BassArena Awards. Now 22, Kanine emerged in 2016 and made a name for himself in jump-up before things went ballistic in 2018. He’s collaborated with the likes of P Money and Killa P, and is part of Distress Signal with two other exciting new artists, Simula (aged 25) and K-Motionz (20). “But young people do relate to music made by people the same age. We’re fresh out of the raves, we speak for the younger ravers, the people going to the clubs every weekend because that was us literally a few years ago so it is a different relationship with the crowd.”IMANU isn’t sure it’s as simple as that. “I wasn’t a raver. When I listen to music I don’t care about the age of the person making it, and with DJs I just want to see people playing their best music whether they’re 18 or 48,” he says. “But maybe with DJs there is more identification with younger artists. Some of the older guys turn up in their T-shirt and jeans, they look bored, maybe not so connected. But if they’re playing good music will you care enough to leave the dancefloor?”If your answer is yes, you’re not doing d’n’b right – and you’re likely to be disappointed at most raves; for all the new talent we’re experiencing, drum ’n’ bass is still replete with active pioneers who created and cultivated the genre 30 years ago, and a whole army of talent from all ages in between. But there’s an additional twist in this new generation tale: the genre has reached an age where there’s a different dynamic and a mutual respect between the elders and youngest contributors.“Maybe there is a kind of father and son thing?” ponders Ray Keith, certified jungle originator. “We can be like ‘Come on, sort your shit out!’ We’ve made the mistakes, so it’s our responsibility to help others avoid them. Let’s be real. People don’t show you how to deal with fame, saying the right thing, doing the right thing, over-indulging in drugs and drink. It’s like New Year’s Eve every night when you blow up. A lot can go wrong, so there’s a duty to help the new guys through that. And they need all the support we can give them, because this industry is brutal. As quickly as someone comes through, they’ve got to stay on it because someone else has come along. I don’t envy that. I don’t need to worry about the next Ray Keith because I was there at the start. New artists don’t have that luxury.”
ChinaGoSmart CGS 
The idea of younger artists and promoters attracting younger crowds is an interesting discussion point with everyone we speak to. With a new generation of ravers comes a new generation of headliners and champions. The end of Andy C’s lifelong run of Best DJ awards last year is an example of this. But does age matter if you’re still able to annihilate a dancefloor?
“No, if you’re smashing it, you’re smashing it,” states Kanine, who was crowned Best Newcomer at the 2019 Drum&BassArena Awards. Now 22, Kanine emerged in 2016 and made a name for himself in jump-up before things went ballistic in 2018. He’s collaborated with the likes of P Money and Killa P, and is part of Distress Signal with two other exciting new artists, Simula (aged 25) and K-Motionz (20). “But young people do relate to music made by people the same age. We’re fresh out of the raves, we speak for the younger ravers, the people going to the clubs every weekend because that was us literally a few years ago so it is a different relationship with the crowd.”
IMANU isn’t sure it’s as simple as that. “I wasn’t a raver. When I listen to music I don’t care about the age of the person making it, and with DJs I just want to see people playing their best music whether they’re 18 or 48,” he says. “But maybe with DJs there is more identification with younger artists. Some of the older guys turn up in their T-shirt and jeans, they look bored, maybe not so connected. But if they’re playing good music will you care enough to leave the dancefloor?”
If your answer is yes, you’re not doing d’n’b right – and you’re likely to be disappointed at most raves; for all the new talent we’re experiencing, drum ’n’ bass is still replete with active pioneers who created and cultivated the genre 30 years ago, and a whole army of talent from all ages in between. But there’s an additional twist in this new generation tale: the genre has reached an age where there’s a different dynamic and a mutual respect between the elders and youngest contributors.
“Maybe there is a kind of father and son thing?” ponders Ray Keith, certified jungle originator. “We can be like ‘Come on, sort your shit out!’ We’ve made the mistakes, so it’s our responsibility to help others avoid them. Let’s be real. People don’t show you how to deal with fame, saying the right thing, doing the right thing, over-indulging in drugs and drink. It’s like New Year’s Eve every night when you blow up. A lot can go wrong, so there’s a duty to help the new guys through that. And they need all the support we can give them, because this industry is brutal. As quickly as someone comes through, they’ve got to stay on it because someone else has come along. I don’t envy that. I don’t need to worry about the next Ray Keith because I was there at the start. New artists don’t have that luxury.”
