History
Jungle and drum and bass, year by year. Every entry says where it comes from, so you can read it for yourself. This list grows as we check more.
1960s
1969
The Amen break is recorded
The Winstons recorded Amen, Brother, a 1969 instrumental whose seven second drum break was played by drummer Gregory Coleman and later became the backbone of jungle and drum and bass.
1990s
1994
Jungle reaches legal radio in London
Kiss 100 in London launched its Givin' It Up show, with rotating DJs including Fabio and Kenny Ken, bringing jungle onto a legal station.
1994
Metalheadz is founded
Metalheadz was founded in 1994 by Kemistry and Storm and Goldie. Its first release was a split 12 inch with Doc Scott's V.I.P. Drumz and Goldie's V.I.P. Riders Ghost.
1994
Channel 4 films the scene
The documentary All Junglists: A London Some 'Ting Dis aired on Channel 4, showing the growing jungle scene and pushing back on negative stereotypes.
1995
One in the Jungle on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 introduced One in the Jungle, the first time jungle was on national radio.
1995
Metalheadz Sunday Sessions begin
In July 1995 Metalheadz started its Sunday Sessions club night at the Blue Note in London, which went on to reach legendary status.
1995
Goldie releases Timeless
Goldie's debut album Timeless came out on FFRR Records on 7 August 1995 and peaked at number 7 on the UK Albums Chart. It is widely regarded as a groundbreaking drum and bass album.
Source: Wikipedia: Timeless (Goldie album) (opens in a new tab)
1995
Jump-up takes shape
Jump-up emerged as a popular strand of the sound, with tracks such as Super Sharp Shooter by DJ Zinc gaining prominence.
1996
Drum&BassArena begins in Sheffield
Drum&BassArena was born in Sheffield, going on to become one of the best known names in drum and bass media and events.
1997
A Mercury Prize for drum and bass
New Forms by Roni Size and Reprazent won the Mercury Prize, a sign of wider critical recognition for the music.
1999
fabric opens in London
fabric opened on Charterhouse Street, opposite Smithfield Market, on 29 October 1999, founded by Keith Reilly and Cameron Leslie. Its Friday FABRICLIVE nights have been mainly drum and bass since the start.
2000s
2001
The Drum&BassArena compilation series starts
Drum&BassArena launched its compilation series with an album mixed by Andy C. By 2016 the series had passed one million album sales.
Source: EDM Identity: Drum&BassArena celebrate 20 years (opens in a new tab)
2005
Hold Your Colour
Pendulum released Hold Your Colour, which became the best selling drum and bass album.
2010s
2012
The first UK number one
DJ Fresh took drum and bass to number one in the UK singles chart for the first time with Hot Right Now.
2016
BMG buys RAM Records
BMG Rights Management acquired RAM Records, a strategic investment to push drum and bass further into the mainstream.
15 entries so far. Spotted a mistake, or know a moment that belongs here with a source we can read? Tell us at [email protected].