Benga:
Benga is one of dubstep’s leading lights. Having enjoyed top 10 success with ‘Katy on a mission’ and Magnetic Man’s ‘I need air’ (alongside Skream &
Artwork), there seems to have been no stopping Benga since his 2007 anthem ‘Crunked up’ and his debut LP ‘Diary of an Afro Warrior’ in 2008
Growing up during the halcyon days of UKG, Benga’s dream was always to become a DJ. Heavily influenced by the escapades of his older brothers (both MCs) but too young to join them at key raves of the moment like Sun City and Confetti, he began avidly tuning into the sounds of pirate radio and buying records, despite not even owning a pair of decks. Soon enough Benga was hanging out at his local record shop, Big Apple, at every opportunity getting amongst the likes of pioneers Wookie, El-B and Menta. By the age of just 13 he had caught the attention of the shop’s owner, John, who was so impressed with the youthful Benga’s ear for a tune and skills on the decks that he sponsored him, starting at 3 records a week.
Soon enough though, Benga wanted dubplates of his own and like many of his contemporaries began to tap out his first riddims on his Playstation. The results were raw, but the ideas showed promise and once again, support from the Big Apple camp was forthcoming. With the £600 cash advance Benga could finally shell out on a decent PC set up and by the time he was 16, Mixmag had begun hyping him as the next big thing in two-step garage.
Enter the new-school Benga sound based around high octane riddims jam-packed with rolling beats & monstrous bass licks. Retaining the ever-present sense of mischief and menace which always ran through his productions, Benga has finally struck the chord that he was always trying to find within himself and his debut 12” on Tempa, Crunked Up is no exception to this.
Growing up during the halcyon days of UKG, Benga’s dream was always to become a DJ. Heavily influenced by the escapades of his older brothers (both MCs) but too young to join them at key raves of the moment like Sun City and Confetti, he began avidly tuning into the sounds of pirate radio and buying records, despite not even owning a pair of decks. Soon enough Benga was hanging out at his local record shop, Big Apple, at every opportunity getting amongst the likes of pioneers Wookie, El-B and Menta. By the age of just 13 he had caught the attention of the shop’s owner, John, who was so impressed with the youthful Benga’s ear for a tune and skills on the decks that he sponsored him, starting at 3 records a week.
Soon enough though, Benga wanted dubplates of his own and like many of his contemporaries began to tap out his first riddims on his Playstation. The results were raw, but the ideas showed promise and once again, support from the Big Apple camp was forthcoming. With the £600 cash advance Benga could finally shell out on a decent PC set up and by the time he was 16, Mixmag had begun hyping him as the next big thing in two-step garage.
Enter the new-school Benga sound based around high octane riddims jam-packed with rolling beats & monstrous bass licks. Retaining the ever-present sense of mischief and menace which always ran through his productions, Benga has finally struck the chord that he was always trying to find within himself and his debut 12” on Tempa, Crunked Up is no exception to this.
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