Music Uncovered

30 years on from the birth of the genre, drum & bass is still adapting. When the global pandemic closes nightclubs in 2020, a period of soul searching follows - but D&B emerges with more purpose. The community expands to welcome in new talent like Nia Archives. Old and new faces come together to celebrate the longevity of D&B - and to future-proof a culture that’s already weathered so much loss. Storm and Flight reflect on just how far this music has travelled, and the distance it still has to cover…

D&B’s reputation continues to grow, thanks to high profile remixes and more chart success from the likes of Rudimental - who score the music’s second UK number one. As social media rewires the way the music industry organises, a new generation of female talent finds itself drawn into the culture, and celebrated via game-changing platforms like Boiler Room. In response to the ongoing gender imbalance, DJ Flight and Mantra launch the EQ50 initiative, that later develops into a mentorship programme for new women and non-binary D&B producers.

When Dubstep invades dance floors in 2008, it’s like UK garage all over again. What happened to all the D&B lovers? Where did they go? But as those in the underground ponder the state of the nation, above the surface, a more commercial form of the music is growing stronger and stronger – thanks to festival headline sets from Pendulum and the very first D&B UK number one single: DJ Fresh and Rita Ora’s Hot Right Now.

When BBC 1Xtra launches in 2002, DJ Flight finds herself at the frontline of a radio station committed to broadcasting 11 hours of drum & bass a week. Music festivals explode in the UK, giving the scene’s talent access to bigger and bigger crowds, and changing the way they think about the music. Into the midst of this, come Pendulum – a D&B trio with a live act destined for the main stage. Their influence will send shockwaves through the entire scene.

Drum & Bass approaches the 2000s on the brink of disaster: the spirit has left the music, eaten up by the major labels and the money. Kemistry’s death has torn a hole in the heart of the community. So how do you recover from that? The combined optimism of a fresh wave of young talent and an old guard, ready to be revitalised, creates a new, exciting form of D&B – ready to deliver the music to new audiences and new heights.

After a period of being shunned by the press, the mainstream makes its first step towards accepting the music. Goldie’s debut album is heralded as a masterpiece, Roni Size and Reprazent face off against the Spice Girls at the Mercury Music Prize, and D&B finds a new home on Radio 1. Suddenly, all the major labels want a piece of the action. It’s a rags to riches moment, but all that success comes at a cost. Then, on the brink of the new millennium, the scene is torn apart by a devastating loss.

As jungle rapidly morphs, a groundbreaking new record label and club night becomes a nerve centre for this dynamic new movement: Metalheadz, founded by Goldie, Kemistry and DJ Storm is as wild and innovative as the DJs and producers who created it. Revellers flock to a tiny basement club in Hoxton Square, each week, to hear this new sound taking shape. But with the increased exposure, the first bad press begins making its mark on the scene, forcing an identity crisis for the original junglists.

D&B is the fast-beating pulse of everything from workouts to nights out, but where did it come from? DJ Flight steps back into the halcyon days of rave, when techno and house music washed up on the shores of the UK, stirring up a cultural revolution. Soon, that music was dropped into a blender with hip-hop, soul, and reggae. The result was jungle: a vivid, homegrown force in the middle of the country’s party scene. Flight introduces you to some of its first innovators, disciples, and champions.

DJ Flight, Storm and other genre-defining contributors tell the story of Drum & Bass.

In our final episode, Greg James concludes what the Genius of Coldplay is and hear what they really mean to people.

Greg James delves into Coldplay's transformative impact, highlighting their commitment to philanthropy, environmental stewardship and innovative approach to music and touring.

We chart the transformative journey of Coldplay's live performances, from their humble beginnings to the groundbreaking spectacles they're known for today. With Greg James.

In this episode, we talk about inspirations and the inspired. We begin to understand the impact Coldplay have really had on music. Presented by Greg James.

The reality of fame, how Chris became THE frontman, not just on stage but in everyday life. How the band as whole reacted to this and how they stand now on their opinion of fame. With Greg James.

Greg James explores amazing Coldplay stories, the trouble, the success, and the fans.

Greg James gets personal with Coldplay, exploring the characters that make up the band: Chris, Jonny, Will and Guy. And talk directly to their mysterious fifth member, Phil Harvey

Why should we appreciate Coldplay? Greg James dives into Coldplay’s firsts; first radio appearance, first Glastonbury, first award. And, of course, their first top ten hit: YELLOW

Greg James dives into Coldplay's remarkable journey from chart-topping hits to global eco-advocates. Unpacking their influence on culture, economy and the music industry.

In Summer 2019, no one expected a summer garage anthem, but we definitely got it when AJ Tracey dropped Ladbroke Grove. Electronic music aficionado Eliza Rose became inspired by underground records and female vocalists to create the ultimate sing along with her hit record Baddest of Them All (B.O.T.A.). AJ Tracey and Eliza are part of a new school of British stars re-imagining garage music and introducing the genre to a brand new generation. Jamz and Spoony look at just how far UK Garage has come and some of the new voices creating their own UKG legacy. In this episode, we hear from AJ Tracey, Eliza Rose, Leanne Brown and Craig David.Archive footage from this episode: AJ Tracey performance at Reading and Leeds Festival 2019 Eliza Rose performance at 2022 MOBOsArtwork image - Ewen SpencerPresenters: Jamz Supernova and DJ Spoony Producer: Tommy Dixon Written by Tommy Dixon Technical production: Ant Danbury Additional production: Ibz David Thompson, Zayna Shaikh, Dan Jones Editor for BBC Audio: Andy Worrell Commissioner for BBC Music: Will Wilkin A BBC Audio production

Jamz and Spoony travel to the early 2000s, as a new rough-and-ready genre is forming: Grime. Inspired by the raw sound of garage MCs, jungle and more, Grime became the voice for the streets and inner city youth. As the sound spread, it created #1 records, international artists and took underground stars to the world’s biggest stages. In this episode, we hear from DJ Target, Fekky, Sir Spyro, Tinchy Stryder and Stormzy.Archive footage from this episode: Stormzy at Glastonbury 2019Artwork Image Ewen SpencerPresenters: Jamz Supernova and DJ Spoony Producer: Tommy Dixon Written by Tommy Dixon Technical production: Ant Danbury Additional production: Ibz David Thompson, Zayna Shaikh, Dan Jones Editor for BBC Audio: Andy Worrell Commissioner for BBC Music: Will Wilkin A BBC Audio production