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The funding of independent radio stations is always precarious, but the current cost-of-living and energy crises threaten their survival. Following the shuttering of Worldwide FM and Bristol’s SWU FM, we look at the challenges facing these beloved cultural lifelines

UK independent radio is one of the most important aspects of DJ culture and the dance music scene. It plays a vital part in driving...

The history of Spiral Tribe, the UK’s most notorious travelling sound system

Spiral Tribe were ‘90s Britain’s hardest hardcore techno crew –  a travelling party troupe of anti-authoritarian acid-adventurers, and a scourge of the establishment. With co-founder Mark Harrison in the midst of writing a book on their story, and PRSPCT Recordings recently releasing a collection of classic cuts from live Tribe duo R-Zac, Harold Heath dives into their history, legacy and vow to 'Never Stop'

In the 1970s, a teenage Mark Harrison and his younger brother would hitch-hike to free festivals, the country-wide network of large-scale, outdoor music events which...

Loyle Carner

Though never afraid to show vulnerability before, Loyle Carner opens himself up more than ever on new album ‘hugo’, shedding the image of UK hip-hop’s perfect ‘nice guy’ to explore his reconnection with his estranged father and his Black heritage, and what it means to become a dad himself

In the summer of 2014, as resurgent grime anthems like ‘German Whip’, ‘Take Time’ and ‘That’s Not Me’ soundtracked a new generation’s joyful block parties...

Billy Nasty shot by Carl Loben

A stalwart of the UK’s dance music community for over 30 years, DJ Billy Nasty was a pioneer of '90s progressive house before launching his techno and electro labels, Tortured and Electrix. A true vinyl devotee, he now runs the Vinyl Curtain record shop in Brighton. Harold Heath meets him in his home town to talk mix CDs, underground dance music history, running labels and the enduring importance of vinyl DJing

It’s fitting that DJ Mag meets acid house original, world-class DJ, UK techno trailblazer, mix-CD pioneer and vinyl-devotee Billy Nasty in his record shop The...

Exploring the rich raving history of East Anglia

The dance music history of East Anglia is rich, multi-layered and messy  — and little documented. Matt Anniss chats to some of the scene’s longstanding figureheads about the region’s airfield parties, seaside throwdowns and forgotten clubs, discovering a vital but rarely discussed stage in the UK’s rave evolution

It’s just gone midnight and the dancefloor at Mossy’s, a two-floor nightclub above the Harbour Inn in Lowestoft, is heaving with life. Andrew ‘Richie’ Riches...

Mall Grab with Golden Retreivers

On his debut album, 'What I Breathe', Aussie-born, London-based DJ and producer Mall Grab marks a new creative chapter in his journey, far from the lo-fi house sound that shot him into the spotlight in 2015. Filled with grime and jungle influences, tracks featuring Novelist, D Double E, Nia Archives and Turnstile's Brendan Yates, as well as his own vocals, it's his most ambitious work to date. Here, Kristan Caryl chats to him about ADHD, being an outsider, dogs, style, hardcore and more

In 2017, Jordon Alexander very quickly went from little-known hopeful to top-tier house star. “When I got all that clout it does fuck up how...

DJ Screw

In his new book, Lance Scott Walker tells the story of DJ Screw, the maestro of Houston’s chopped ‘n’ screwed ‘90s rap scene. Here, Marke Bieschke speaks to the author about this unique moment in hip-hop history, and Screw's incredible legacy

Why did hip-hop slow down to a syrupy crawl in Houston, Texas, three decades ago? There are many theories, but Houstonians, who had come late...

Congo Natty

On his upcoming 25-track opus ‘Ancestorz’ — which he describes as his life's work — long-serving jungle soldier Congo Natty unites many voices from across the diaspora, joining dots through the history of Black music and celebrating the new jungle generation. In a series of in-depth interviews for DJ Mag, he talks to Dave Jenkins about love, revolution, unity, and reclaiming his place in the history books

“This isn’t an interview, brother, this is an outerview!” Congo Natty declares. He draws on his spliff, holding DJ Mag’s gaze with intensity. Even through...

J Dilla press shot

J Dilla changed music with his unique production style and wonky beat patterns. Ahead of an expansive new book on his life and art, Marke Bieschke talks to author Dan Charnas about the enigmatic artist’s impact 

D is for Detroit. D is for Dilla. D is for ‘Donuts’, the legendary 31-track collection that James Dewitt Yancey — aka Jay Dee, aka...

Chrissy

San Fran-based DJ and producer Chrissy outlines his guide for ripping vinyl so they sound full, loud and powerful on a club system. With tips and tricks around needles, preamps, turntables, software and file formats, it's a go-to guide for anyone who wants to digitise their record collection

Recently I've had several people ask me about my process for ripping vinyl. As a DJ and record collector who LOVES vinyl but HATES carrying...

These are the most exciting amapiano producers right now

Amapiano has become a world-conquering genre since emerging in South Africa over a decade ago, with the sound mutating in recent years to solidify its place as an embedded dance music culture. Here, Shiba Melissa Mazaza asks: who are the South African artists carrying the torch for amapiano right now?
 

Amapiano (also known as ipiano or ’piano) began in the streets of Gauteng, South Africa, in the early 2010s. The now world-conquering sound is a...

Plastician by Brynley Davies

Upstart tech like blockchain has been dominating discourse around the music industry's next steps and has become one of the most divisive trends of the past 12 months. Declan McGlynn speaks to Plastician about why he believes it's the future for independent labels, promoters and artists 

Plastician is a name synonymous with grime, dubstep and bass pressure in all its forms. He built his sound and rep as a host on...

The CruCast collective has injected new life into bassline, playing massive venues, touring the world, and spreading positivity. As the major players tell DJ Mag...

Six PM Saturday: a cold winter night in Rotherhithe. Londoners mooch around their south-of-the-river suburb, families settle down for a cosy night in front of...

Birmingham-via-Berlin’s techno stalwart Rebekah has conquered her demons to become one of the most in-demand DJs and producers out there. Winner of our Best Of British Best...

It’s 1997 and a 17 year old Rebekah Teasdale is just finishing work at a French restaurant in the centre of Birmingham. With 30-odd pounds worth of tips...

The Horse Meat Disco logo on an orange background with dancers

Horse Meat Disco held their first party at what would become known as The Eagle pub in Vauxhall, London on New Year’s Day 2004. As their weekly Sunday night queer party grew, so did their international reputation, and they haven't stopped since. Here, Andy Thomas charts the soaraway success of the disco house collective over the last two decades

“It’s Princess Julia stretching across the stage in smoky mascara and emerald green stockings. It’s classic Amanda Lear videos playing on the wall as three...