Competition: Win tickets to see Hatcha, Benga, Youngsta, Distance, Chef, N-Type and more at Croydub @ Black Sheep Bar, Croydon

Croydon is now well known as 'the place where it all started'; whilst the likes of Plastic People and 3rd Base are acknowledged for their pivotal roles in the development of the early dubstep sound, Big Apple Records' place in the history of dubstep is now firmly established and this is largely due to the presence of a certain DJ Hatcha.

Croydub events, held at the Black Sheep Bar in Croydon, have always been about remembering the roots of the sound and each lineup is, and has been, a testament to that. For this new phase in the Croydub story, then, it seems fitting that Hatcha - whose influence on dubstep is largely unmatched - should take the helm in inviting a group of DJs and producers who have all helped shape the sound in their own individual ways, and many of whom were there when it all began.

To be in with a chance of winning two tickets to this event, simply send your answer to the following question to hedmuk@gmail.com with the subject 'Croydub Competition':

What was the very first release on the Big Apple Records label?

The competition will close on July 14th, a winner will be chosen at random by an independent third party and then notified by email and announced on the Hedmuk Facebook Page and Twitter.

For more information on the event, including how to find the venue and buy tickets, click here.

.Preacha.

12 Classic Sets / Mixtapes

With Outlook coming up next weekend, there will be many people making their way over to Croatia to experience one of the world's best and fastest-rising festivals and an equal amount of people (if not more) left sitting at home wishing they were there. With this in mind, we at HEDMUK have put together this collection of some of our favourite sets and mixtapes from over the years which should provide a perfect accompaniment for both long journeys to Pula and days sat at home wishing you were taking it all in at Fort Punta Christo. Moving chronologically from 2002 to 2009, and taking in a wide range of styles from dark garage, to grime, to dubstep and jungle, we start with dubstep sound-definer, Hatcha. Enjoi:


Featuring an unreal number of dubplates and exclusives, this mix from 2002 is indicative of the degree of influence that Hatcha had when it came to sculpting out the original dubstep sound.


Download: Hatcha - Studio Mix [2002]


Quality from start to finish, and a small piece of history in itself, Skream's promo mix for Big Apple Records has stood the test of time and serves as both reason and reminder for the unbridled success that the Croydon originator now enjoys.


Download: Skream - Big Apple Mix [2004]


The first of a CD series that only ran to two volumes, this live recording of one of Youngsta's sets at FWD>> is a snapshot of the dread-bass, dark halfstep sound that the legendary DJ made his own.


Download: Youngsta - FWD>> Live: Vol. 1 (feat. Crazy D) [2004]


Perhaps best known for their more recent '10 Year Anniversary' mixes, United Vibes had already shown their skills of observation in 2006 by tracing the history of dubstep back to its origins in this tight retrospective selection.


Download: United Vibes - Dubstep History Mix [2006]


Jumping on the mic for Kode9's show on Rinse, the self-proclaimed Godfather of Grime rides classic beats from the likes of Skream, Benga, D1, Mala, Coki & Loefah and asserts the potential for innovative crossover between the two genres.


Download: Kode9 - Wiley's Guest Appearance: Rinse FM [2006]


The beginnings of his now-renowned yearly mix series (recently rebranded as the 'Sound That Speaks Volumes' series) saw Plastician blending his own dark hybrid grime/dubstep productions with some of the year's biggest dubs and already-released tunes.


Download: Plastician - May Mix [2006]


Dizzee Rascal makes an appearance on Kool FM (a London pirate that was key in the development of the jungle scene, and not to be confused with Northern Ireland's Cool FM) and switches from his usual grimey flow to jump on a Ruff Stuff jungle set and Skibadee's reaction is enough confirmation of his cross-genre abilities.


Download: Ruff Stuff - Skibadee, Dizzee Rascal, Funsta, Harry Shotta & D Double E: Kool FM [2007]


Judge Jules' predictions of future success for Benga could not have been more on point, and the latter's Essential Mix remains as an example of the innovation and talent behind the widespread acclaim he and his music would garner over the following years.


Download: Benga - Essential Mix [2008]


To celebrate the Newham legend's birthday, Tubby and D Double E returned to their roots in jungle for this special set in 2008 which is packed full of stone cold classic tunes, bars and flows.


Download: Tubby & D Double E - D Double's Birthday Set: Rinse FM [2008]


Collaborating with their label -30, Cotti & Cluekid took an almost literal interpretation of the word 'dubstep' by creating a blend of dark garage rhythms and atmospherics and a heavily reggae-influenced approach to melodies, vocals and sampling. In this promo mix for the now-defunct label, Cotti takes the listener through this unique approach to the sound.


Download: Cotti - -30 Mix [2008]


A year after his seminal 'Dubstep Allstars: Vol. 5' mix, N-Type upped the ante with this tightly constructed mix for Radio 1 pioneer, Mary Anne Hobbs. Moving in one swift motion from jungle to garage to dubstep, N-Type shows why he's held up as one of the best and most respected DJs around.


Download: N-Type - In The Mix For Mary Anne Hobbs' Experimental Show: Radio 1 [2008]


After making the switchover from drum & bass to dubstep and linking up with Loefah for what would be the launch of his label, Swamp 81, Kryptic Minds made clear their true potential around the 140bpm mark with this mix for Blackdown. Dropping a few months before their debut dubstep album, 'One Of Us', this mix set them out as a duo that would become impossible to ignore.


Download: Kryptic Minds - Blackdown Studio Mix [2009]


.Preacha.

Sin City Records Presents: The Croydon Dubheadz Pt. 2

We featured this one a while back but now, after multiple delays and a revised tracklist, it has finally got a full release as a double LP collection and doesn't disappoint. Featuring brand new tunes alongside some old classics, this one is guaranteed to be one of the year's must-buys.


Buy: Double LP
Buy: Digital Release







.Fukhed.

Hatcha: Kiss FM Dubstep Retrospective Mix.

Don't knock Kiss FM! Seriously. Don't. DJ's with weekly shows include Logan Sama representing Grime, DJ EZ showing for Garage, David Rodigan playing out Reggae and Crazy D & Hatcha spinning Dubstep. Thats an impressive rosta. What's more is that Kiss turn their attention every week to a particular scene showcasing the talent within it and/or its development from day. This weeks Chosen Ones focused on Hatcha and the history of Dubstep, 1999-present. Told you not to knock Kiss.

Download here.

Groove Chronicles – 1999 – Dpr
E.S. Dubs – Standard Hoodlum Issue – Social Circles
Oris ay Ft Mc Rankin – Biggin Up The Massive (Re Edit) – UrbanUnderground
Oris Jay Ft Mc E – Ll – Brand Nu Flava – Props Records
Exmen – Strom – Manchu
Mj Cole – Be Sincere (Wookie Remix) – Talkin Loud
El – B – Cover Me – White Label
The Croydon Dub Heads – Your Lying (El B Remix) – Well Built Records
Madslinky – Sentence – White Label
Adam F – Untitled – White Label
Jammin – Go Dj – Bingo
Jammin – Kinda Funky (Wookie Remix) – Bingo
Artwork – Red – Big Apple
Benga – Skank – Big Apple
Benga Vs Skream – The Bug – Big Apple
Menta – Sound Of The Future – Sound Of The Future
Menta – Snake Charmer – Road
Benny Ill, Kode 9 & The Culprit – Fat Larry’s Skank – Tempa
Benny Ill & Hatcha – Highland Spring – Tempa
Quest – Overdose – Soulja
High Plains Drifter Ft Goldspot Productions – Sholay (Epic Mix) – Tempa
Markone – Rain Dance – Soulja
Benga Vs Skream – Judgement – Big Apple
Kode 9 And Spaceape – 9 Samuri – Hyperdub
Kode 9 And Spaceape – Kingston Dub – Hyperdub
Mala – Pathways Edit – Big Apple
Loefah – Hurricane Kick – Dub
Coki – Da Edit – Dub
Benga – Oxygent – Dub
Benga – Melodic Melody – Dub
Loefah – Indian Dub – Big Apple
Digital Mystikz And Loefah – Twisup – Dmz
Digital Mystikz And Loefah – Horror Show – Dmz
Skream – Midnight Request Line – Tempa
Skream – Midnight Request Line (Mala Remix) – Dub
Skream – I – Tempa
Skream – I (Loefah Remix) – Tempa
Coki – Officer – Dmz
Digital Mystikz – Anti War Dub – Dmz
Digital Mystikz – Ancient Memories – Dmz
Digital Mystikz – Ancient Memories (Skream Remix) – Dmz
Skream – Smiling Face – Tempa
Loefah – Goat Stare – Dmz
Scuba – Timba – Scuba
Loefah – Mud – Dmz
Mala – Bury Da Bwoy – Dmz
Mala – Left Leg Out – Dmz
Skream – Chest Boxing – Tempa
Benga And Coki – Night – Tempa
Coki – Tourtured – Tempa
Skream – March Of The Powder – Dub
Benga – Ow My Gosh – Dub
Skream – Cut Like A Buffalo – Dub
Adison Groove – Footcrab – Swamp 81

Ears to the ground...

Dubplate culture, although enviable for its sentimental value, is an exclusive one; the result of this being that many tunes never actually get a full release. Example: the VIP of Giant's banger 'Drumstick' was, when first played out, generally hailed as one of the best VIPs to be produced. Obviously, DJs and fans across the country begged for its release, but to no avail. The original tune was put out on Hench and that, it still seems, was that. However, there are definite positive aspects to this which must be noted. Firstly, the dubplate format is cheap enough to encourage producers to be more prolific and, furthermore, put much of their output onto wax to be played out by whoever is lucky enough to be getting a steady supply of these 'plates: this keeps the scene fresh. Secondly, hearing tunes played out on dubplate raises anticipation for tunes getting a full release; and these first few months of 2010 are looking ripe for such releases:


Kryptic Minds - Badman / Distant

Since the first airing of the smoke-drenched vocal that introduces this tune, 'Badman' has been on the wishlists of any and all fans of a deep, threatening bassline. The fact that N-Type, arguably the best tune selector in the game, chose to open his mix for Rinse 09 with it is testament to its weight. Yet, it did not make an appearance on 'One Of Us' (Kryptic Minds' outstanding LP released late last year on CD and to be pressed to 3-piece vinyl for early 2010). Dissapointment was not to be shouldered for long, though, as 'Badman', it was announced, was to be given its own release shortly after the album. Bad pressing, however, forced postponement on the release until early 2010 which, unless we are very much mistaken, is now. So: ears to the ground for this one.

Rude Kid - Electric

This one's on a grime flex, but is surrounded by similarly vague release news. Featuring as the instrumental for Scorcher's 'Spartan Gang', this tune can be heard in use as an instrumental countless times on any grime radio show. Despite the Kid's trademark "are you ready?" sample making consistent appearances in grime sets, he is also notorious for keeping his tunes to himself and putting very few out on general release. 'Electric', however, has been flagged for release this month on No Hats No Hoods. So: ears to the ground for this one.

Hatcha & N-Type Present: The Croydon Dubheadz Pt.II

Less ambiguity about this one, but certainly more anticipation as Hatcha (with easily one of the most upfront boxes around) and N-Type (also with a steady stream of dubplates coming his way) collaborate again for the second installment of 'The Croydon Dubheadz'. With the first installment housing its fair share of exclusives from some of the scene's biggest producers, the second looks to continue this idea. Hatcha revealed that the forthcoming double-pack will feature tracks from: Skream, Loefah, Hatcha, Kromestar, Lost, LD and Cluekid. Whilst lips have remained tight as to which tracks will appear, both Hatcha and N-Type have exercised their exclusive rights in playing tunes from the double-pack on their radio on shows on Kiss and Rinse FM respectively: Cluekid puts forth another unique blend of spacious, squelchy bass with a tune which apparently combines his early 'Toadstep'-era tunes with his more recent junglist output; Kromestar has, it would appear, found the middle ground between the deeper, ambient sounds of 'My Sound' with the thinner, more aggressive textures of his 'The Other Syde' collection; Hatcha's effort is a dark stomper in the form of a tighter, heavier take on tunes such as Coki's 'Goblin'. According to N-Type, pressing is now complete and the double-pack waits now on artwork and distribution only. So: ears to the ground...

.Fukhed.