The Maccabees

If The Maccabees' 2007 debut Colour It In hadn't already confirmed the Brighton/South London band as a class apart, then second album Wall Of Arms - has established it beyond reasonable doubt. To those in the know, the five-piece are a truly special band, a British Arcade Fire or a melodic, song-based Animal Collective. To everyone else? Well, it's just a matter of time...

Rolling into 2008, The Maccabees focused on the future with a five-day week writing schedule while playing a string of the smaller summer festivals (Underage, Beachdown) at the weekends and a headline tour of low-key sweaty venues, giving them the opportunity to road test the new material. Their live shows have always been the stuff of magic - packed out, riotous and inspiring.

The Maccabees

If The Maccabees' 2007 debut Colour It In hadn't already confirmed the Brighton/South London band as a class apart, then second album Wall Of Arms - has established it beyond reasonable doubt. To those in the know, the five-piece are a truly special band, a British Arcade Fire or a melodic, song-based Animal Collective. To everyone else? Well, it's just a matter of time...

Rolling into 2008, The Maccabees focused on the future with a five-day week writing schedule while playing a string of the smaller summer festivals (Underage, Beachdown) at the weekends and a headline tour of low-key sweaty venues, giving them the opportunity to road test the new material. Their live shows have always been the stuff of magic - packed out, riotous and inspiring.

Sway

Back in 2004, 22 year old Derek Safo (aka Sway) set up his own label, Dcypha Productions, as the outlet for his initial trilogy of releases; This Is My Promo - Volume 1, This Is My Promo -Volume 2, and This Is My Demo. The mixtapes grew bigger and more successful than Sway ever imagined, propelling him into pole position as the country’s biggest mixtape artist. Sway toured with Dizzee Rascal and brought his inimitable style to a raft of releases as a guest artist. A rash of awards quickly followed, including Best Hip-Hop Artist at the MOBOs, despite still being unsigned, having not yet released an album, and going up against 50 Cent and The Game.

Sway’s This Is My Demo debut album has increasingly become considered a landmark moment for British “urban” and hip-hop music, and caused widespread acclaim. The record received further mainstream endorsement when it was selected as one of the Mercury Music Prize’s ‘Albums Of The Year’.

Sway

Back in 2004, 22 year old Derek Safo (aka Sway) set up his own label, Dcypha Productions, as the outlet for his initial trilogy of releases; This Is My Promo - Volume 1, This Is My Promo -Volume 2, and This Is My Demo. The mixtapes grew bigger and more successful than Sway ever imagined, propelling him into pole position as the country’s biggest mixtape artist. Sway toured with Dizzee Rascal and brought his inimitable style to a raft of releases as a guest artist. A rash of awards quickly followed, including Best Hip-Hop Artist at the MOBOs, despite still being unsigned, having not yet released an album, and going up against 50 Cent and The Game.

Sway’s This Is My Demo debut album has increasingly become considered a landmark moment for British “urban” and hip-hop music, and caused widespread acclaim. The record received further mainstream endorsement when it was selected as one of the Mercury Music Prize’s ‘Albums Of The Year’.

Nihal

Nihal Arthanayake has been living for music since he started promoting rap shows in his native Essex while still doing his A Levels. By the time he was about to graduate he was signed to a major label, and since then he has been a music journalist and worked in PR for artists as diverse as Judge Jules and Elton John.

In October 2003 Nihal and Bobby Friction teamed up to launch Radio 1 late night urban music show ‘Bobby and Nihal Present…’ which won gold at the Sony Music Awards. In 2005 Nihal and Bobby were also cultural ambassadors for the successful London 2012 Olympic Bid. Nihal’s radio career has gone from strength to strength and in 2007 he began presenting on BBC Asian Network and became part of Radio 1’s weekend line up.

In 2004 he launched his own clubnight Bombay Bronx, showcasing his love of rap music from a distinctly Asian perspective. Nihal has played the Isle Of Wight Festival, Glastonbury and Bestival in the UK, as well as club gigs up and down the country and across Europe, the United States and Asia. He is also on the board for the British Council.

Nihal

Nihal Arthanayake has been living for music since he started promoting rap shows in his native Essex while still doing his A Levels. By the time he was about to graduate he was signed to a major label, and since then he has been a music journalist and worked in PR for artists as diverse as Judge Jules and Elton John.

In October 2003 Nihal and Bobby Friction teamed up to launch Radio 1 late night urban music show ‘Bobby and Nihal Present…’ which won gold at the Sony Music Awards. In 2005 Nihal and Bobby were also cultural ambassadors for the successful London 2012 Olympic Bid. Nihal’s radio career has gone from strength to strength and in 2007 he began presenting on BBC Asian Network and became part of Radio 1’s weekend line up.

In 2004 he launched his own clubnight Bombay Bronx, showcasing his love of rap music from a distinctly Asian perspective. Nihal has played the Isle Of Wight Festival, Glastonbury and Bestival in the UK, as well as club gigs up and down the country and across Europe, the United States and Asia. He is also on the board for the British Council.

Joe Goddard (Hot Chip)

After years of self-releasing records, Hot Chip signed with Moshi Moshi in 2003 and released their debut LP Coming In Stronger, in 2004. In 2006, Hot Chip released second album, The Warning to critical acclaim. It won Mixmag’s Album of the Year 2006 and was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize. The band released their third studio album, Made in The Dark in 2008. Having completed a world tour in February 2009, Hot Chip returned to London and are in the process of recording their fourth album, to be released in 2010.

During live performances, Hot Chip re-invent their studio compositions to form what has been described by Glide magazine as "heavy beat-driven improvisation[s]" that create "an atmosphere of excitement, energy and the unexpected." They have made many festival appearances, including Glastonbury, Roskilde and Lollapalooza. The band is known for its DJ talent; all five members took part in a DJ set live on BBC Radio One's The Essential Mix radio program, hosted by Pete Tong, on December 29, 2007. They have released several mix CDs and DJ regularly worldwide.

Joe Goddard (Hot Chip)

After years of self-releasing records, Hot Chip signed with Moshi Moshi in 2003 and released their debut LP Coming In Stronger, in 2004. In 2006, Hot Chip released second album, The Warning to critical acclaim. It won Mixmag’s Album of the Year 2006 and was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize. The band released their third studio album, Made in The Dark in 2008. Having completed a world tour in February 2009, Hot Chip returned to London and are in the process of recording their fourth album, to be released in 2010.

During live performances, Hot Chip re-invent their studio compositions to form what has been described by Glide magazine as "heavy beat-driven improvisation[s]" that create "an atmosphere of excitement, energy and the unexpected." They have made many festival appearances, including Glastonbury, Roskilde and Lollapalooza. The band is known for its DJ talent; all five members took part in a DJ set live on BBC Radio One's The Essential Mix radio program, hosted by Pete Tong, on December 29, 2007. They have released several mix CDs and DJ regularly worldwide.

Radioclit

Radioclit are a British DJ/production duo who refer to their style as ghettopop, that is, a melange of Dirty South rap, Baltimore club, British grime, funk carioca, and straight dance-pop along with various African dance-pop styles. Comprised of Johan Karlberg and Etienne Tron (aka DJ Tron), Radioclit got their start as a DJ tandem in the London borough of Hackney, where they reside. In addition to their club gigs, they hosted their own Internet radio show and compiled promotional mix CDs. Radioclit also began doing production and remix work, releasing a couple EPs and remixing tracks by a number of artists. Meanwhile, Tron founded his own label, Uppercuts, on which the duo released Hard Working Class, Vol. 1 (2007), a compilation of their production and remix work to date. Radioclit also began working with Malawian singer Esau Mwamwaya and made plans to release a full-length album featuring him.

Radioclit

Radioclit are a British DJ/production duo who refer to their style as ghettopop, that is, a melange of Dirty South rap, Baltimore club, British grime, funk carioca, and straight dance-pop along with various African dance-pop styles. Comprised of Johan Karlberg and Etienne Tron (aka DJ Tron), Radioclit got their start as a DJ tandem in the London borough of Hackney, where they reside. In addition to their club gigs, they hosted their own Internet radio show and compiled promotional mix CDs. Radioclit also began doing production and remix work, releasing a couple EPs and remixing tracks by a number of artists. Meanwhile, Tron founded his own label, Uppercuts, on which the duo released Hard Working Class, Vol. 1 (2007), a compilation of their production and remix work to date. Radioclit also began working with Malawian singer Esau Mwamwaya and made plans to release a full-length album featuring him.

The Very Best

The Very Best consist of London-based world music connoisseurs and production duo Radioclit, along with Malawi-born crooner Esau Mwamwaya. ‘The Very Best mixtape’ caused an international stir, featuring Esau’s soothing and soulful vocals sung over a blend of well-known pop, dance, afro and indie tracks. The trio are now on the verge of releasing their debut album ‘Warm Heart Of Africa’.

The Very Best

The Very Best consist of London-based world music connoisseurs and production duo Radioclit, along with Malawi-born crooner Esau Mwamwaya. ‘The Very Best mixtape’ caused an international stir, featuring Esau’s soothing and soulful vocals sung over a blend of well-known pop, dance, afro and indie tracks. The trio are now on the verge of releasing their debut album ‘Warm Heart Of Africa’.

Ross Allen

Ross Allen has more fingers in pies than Frank Butcher. He is not only the musical brains behind Cargo-backed Casual Records, but also A&R consultant for Island Records and Ninja Tunes. He also finds the time to host radio shows for 6 music, cover for Gilles Peterson on Radio One, write a column for dance music rag Jockey Slut and getting nifty behind the decks on a regular basis. He has residencies at London’s Sunday Best, the Notting Hill Arts Club and the 333, not forgetting his own monthly promotion Destination Out which is held at Cargo every second Saturday of the month. He also DJs at happening parties all over the globe from Venezuela to Dundee, where he drops his mixed soulful bag of reggae, house, techno, R&B, hip hop and drum n' bass. If it’s good, he’ll play it, attracting a broad spectrum of fans such as Laurent Garnier, Fabio and Matthew Herbert. He also hosted the London Jazz Festival last year.

Ross Allen

Ross Allen has more fingers in pies than Frank Butcher. He is not only the musical brains behind Cargo-backed Casual Records, but also A&R consultant for Island Records and Ninja Tunes. He also finds the time to host radio shows for 6 music, cover for Gilles Peterson on Radio One, write a column for dance music rag Jockey Slut and getting nifty behind the decks on a regular basis. He has residencies at London’s Sunday Best, the Notting Hill Arts Club and the 333, not forgetting his own monthly promotion Destination Out which is held at Cargo every second Saturday of the month. He also DJs at happening parties all over the globe from Venezuela to Dundee, where he drops his mixed soulful bag of reggae, house, techno, R&B, hip hop and drum n' bass. If it’s good, he’ll play it, attracting a broad spectrum of fans such as Laurent Garnier, Fabio and Matthew Herbert. He also hosted the London Jazz Festival last year.

Tayo

Tayo joined The Radio 1 Residency in February 2006. He was involved in the breaks scene from its early days, starting the first big breaks night Friction with Adam Freeland.

Tayo has released 4 mix albums, including two y4k releases for Distinctive. In 2002, he signed to Kiss FM to present their breaks show. Tayo also DJs alongside Frank Tope under the Rooty DJs moniker, named after Basement Jaxx's club night. In 1999 started a breaks label Mob Records which was a testing ground for Stanton Warriors, Plump DJs and Rennie Pilgrem. Tayo left Mob and has since released records on Skint Records with Acid Rockers and remixed for Dave Clarke and Lady Sovereign.

Tayo's signature style is dubwise beats and breaks, he DJs regularly at Fabric, The End, all over the UK and internationally.

Tayo

Tayo joined The Radio 1 Residency in February 2006. He was involved in the breaks scene from its early days, starting the first big breaks night Friction with Adam Freeland.

Tayo has released 4 mix albums, including two y4k releases for Distinctive. In 2002, he signed to Kiss FM to present their breaks show. Tayo also DJs alongside Frank Tope under the Rooty DJs moniker, named after Basement Jaxx's club night. In 1999 started a breaks label Mob Records which was a testing ground for Stanton Warriors, Plump DJs and Rennie Pilgrem. Tayo left Mob and has since released records on Skint Records with Acid Rockers and remixed for Dave Clarke and Lady Sovereign.

Tayo's signature style is dubwise beats and breaks, he DJs regularly at Fabric, The End, all over the UK and internationally.

Ali B

Ali B is a prominent member of London’s leftfield scene. Over the last decade he has held down residencies at the capital’s two most influential clubs, the legendary Blue Note club and Fabric, where he has been from the day it opened.

He has toured extensively in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Asia and the US, taking his sound to an international audience.
Ali B’s infamous Air parties have been running since the mid nineties at venues across London, including The Blue Note, 333, Mass, Electrowerkz, Rhythm Factory, Cargo and its current home, Matter. Air is now a worldwide name having hosted arenas at festivals such as Glastonbury, Global Gathering, Hi-Fi, Future Music (Australia) and more.

It is widely acknowledged as the biggest force in British beats regularly playing host to artists including The Plump DJs, Stanton Warriors and Armand Van Helden.
Ali B currently hosts a weekly show on London’s Kiss FM.

Ali B

Ali B is a prominent member of London’s leftfield scene. Over the last decade he has held down residencies at the capital’s two most influential clubs, the legendary Blue Note club and Fabric, where he has been from the day it opened.

He has toured extensively in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Asia and the US, taking his sound to an international audience.
Ali B’s infamous Air parties have been running since the mid nineties at venues across London, including The Blue Note, 333, Mass, Electrowerkz, Rhythm Factory, Cargo and its current home, Matter. Air is now a worldwide name having hosted arenas at festivals such as Glastonbury, Global Gathering, Hi-Fi, Future Music (Australia) and more.

It is widely acknowledged as the biggest force in British beats regularly playing host to artists including The Plump DJs, Stanton Warriors and Armand Van Helden.
Ali B currently hosts a weekly show on London’s Kiss FM.

Jazzbo

Jazzbo used to just play Chicago house with a bit of a jazz edge across Liverpool and the UK, as well as overseas gigs, including Ibiza and Lake of Stars 2006. After a while he fancied a change from the monotony of the genre and ‘tempo fascism’ that seems to have put a dampener on the UK club scene. Jazzbo began to explore new sounds with an open mind and an open heart, finding some fresh quirky electronic hip hop, as well as digging through all the other styles of dance music that he loves. And that is where you will find him now. Playing what he likes, how he likes it.

A ‘typical atypical’ Jazzbo set draws influences from glitchy hip hop, funk, old school hip hop, jazz, house, dub step, world music, disco, drum & bass and techno. Jazzbo holds residencies at Liverpool’s Circo and Mojo in West Kirby, and plays as part of ‘ironic revivalist smoke machine’ Can’tMixWon’tMixShdn’tMixDontMix (aka the Mixnots)

Jazzbo

Jazzbo used to just play Chicago house with a bit of a jazz edge across Liverpool and the UK, as well as overseas gigs, including Ibiza and Lake of Stars 2006. After a while he fancied a change from the monotony of the genre and ‘tempo fascism’ that seems to have put a dampener on the UK club scene. Jazzbo began to explore new sounds with an open mind and an open heart, finding some fresh quirky electronic hip hop, as well as digging through all the other styles of dance music that he loves. And that is where you will find him now. Playing what he likes, how he likes it.

A ‘typical atypical’ Jazzbo set draws influences from glitchy hip hop, funk, old school hip hop, jazz, house, dub step, world music, disco, drum & bass and techno. Jazzbo holds residencies at Liverpool’s Circo and Mojo in West Kirby, and plays as part of ‘ironic revivalist smoke machine’ Can’tMixWon’tMixShdn’tMixDontMix (aka the Mixnots)