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FABIO & GROOVERIDER NOTCH UP 25 YEARS

Junglist legends host big London party to mark important milestone

Drum & bass legends Fabio & Grooverider, pioneers of the sound, are celebrating a quarter of a century in the game.

To mark the occasion, they’re hosting a big party at The Forum in Kentish Town, London on Friday May 8th with many playaz from the scene representing.

As well as Fab & Groove, Matrix & Futurebound, Drumsound & Bassline Smith, DJ Die, DJ SS, Randall, Mampi Swift, Micky Finn, Nicky Blackmarket, Bryan G, Jumping Jack Frost, Total Science, Kenny Ken, Ray Keith and Storm are just some of the DJs who’ll be playing on the night.

And one week before the event, three more headline DJs will be announced — just to keep everyone guessing...

MCs on the night include IC3, Bassman, Skibadee, Eksman, Det, Ragga Twins, Shabba, Navigator, Cleveland Watkiss, Moose and Magika.

In Room 2 there’ll be a variety of different sounds being laid down by spinners such as dance music stalwart Norman Jay MBE, garage pioneer Matt Jam Lamont, electro-bass gal Charlotte Devaney, dubstep pioneer Hatcha, abstract techno don Colin Dale and more.

Basically, anybody who’s anybody will be out in force to show appreciation for the pioneering work undertaken by Fab & Groove to help grow the drum & bass scene over the years.

DJ Mag will be running a major feature on Fab & Groove’s history in the May issue, and to kick off the interview we asked the dynamic DJ duo what exactly it’s 25 years since? Why are they celebrating 25 years?

“It sounds better than 28,” laughs Groove. “It’s about 25 years since we really started getting serious about stuff.”

Fab & Groove first played together about 28 years ago at the infamous after-hours spot Mendoza’s in Brixton, and they also played on the same pirate radio station – Phase One.

“That was mid-80s when we were on Phase One,” says Fabio. “We really started about ’88, started getting serious about everything.”

It was Fab & Groove’s residency at Rage in London that really crystallised the drum & bass scene as it emerged out of hardcore rave. Speeding up hardcore tracks and cutting up breakbeats, from the start of the ‘90s onwards they acted as the catalyst for producers to start developing the jungle/drum & bass sound.

They’d go on to host the most important drum & bass show in the world, nurture the talent of countless young producers, and generally act as great ambassadors for the scene. Big ups!

Read the full interview in DJ Mag in a few weeks time.

Tickets for the special Fabio & Grooverider event at The Forum, Kentish Town are flying out the door. Get yours here