(UK – Kapsize, Hyperdub, Terrorhythm)
Born to Grime and adopted by Dubstep, Joker, the young Bristol wonder-boy refuses to be tagged. His synth’n’soul-drenched productions have, however, been described as ‘Jehri Curl Boogie’ and even as ‘Wiley stuck in an elevator with Cameo’.
Joker burst onto the Dubstep and Grime scenes in 2008 with the vibrant Gully Brook Lane tune, which was released on Plastician’s Terrorhythm label. His productions possess a rare duality in that they are both instantly identifiable yet impossible to classify. His musical peers include Rustie, Gemmy and Kode 9. The latter – legendary Hyperdub label boss and recognised tastemaker – identified Joker as one to watch, when he named him as his protégée for Mary Anne Hobbs’ hugely seminal follow-up to Dubstep Warz; the Generation Bass radio show which was broadcast worldwide on BBC Radio 1 in the summer of 2008. Joker and Nomad’s video can be viewed on Youtube and in testament to the level of interest in this Bristolian talent, continues to be the highest viewed video of the show.
In 2009 Joker released a split 12” on Hyperdub with Danish peers 2000F & JKamata and later played Copenhagen with MC Nomad. A night he later described as “the best night of his life”. Let’s make sure that RAW 2009 will be even better!
www.myspace.com/thejokerproductions
(UK – Terrorhythm, Rinse FM)
Chris Reed, also known as Plastician, connects the east London Grime to the south London Dubstep scenes as DJ, radio host and producer. Plastician’s participation in the Rephlex Grime compilations, his primetime radio shows on Rinse FM and BBC Radio One and his worldwide DJ activity have contributed to the rapid rise in popularity of Dubstep and Grime.
Plastician has released legendary records on labels such as Soulja, ROAD, A.R.M.Y., Rephlex and Southside Dubstars, but also runs his own label, Terrorhythm Recordings, releasing, amongst others, the Bristol wonder-boy Joker.
Plastician has with great success played in Denmark before, however, he has never played at RAW – Plastician and his regular Rinse FM host, MC Nomad, will with out a doubt be a special treat this year!
Brighton-raised, multi award winning DJ Friction is a member of an exclusive club. He is one of a handful of DJs to have smashed through the ranks and become a superstar in his genre simply through an unbelievable talent behind the decks. This year has seen him add more accolades to his ever-increasing CV and is regarded by many as not only the most skilled but also the most diverse DJ in Drum’n’Bass.
After joining BBC 1Xtra in 2002 at the station’s launch, DJ Friction made his mark quickly. His radio show was truly groundbreaking, creating a massive following worldwide, reluctantly calling it a day after two years with his ever-increasing schedule proving too much. Numerous awards have followed, including Best Newcomer in the Drum & Bass Arena Awards in 2002, Best Breakthrough DJ at the 2003 Knowledge Magazine Awards, another Best Newcomer at the 2004 Accelerated Culture Awards and finally Best DJ at the MTV Romania Awards in 2007.
Whether he's on two or three decks, playing for two hours or four, people are rapidly learning that, Drum’n’Bass fanatics or not, a night with DJ Friction will be one to remember. This is Drum’n’Bass at it’s very best: DJ Friction and long-time partner MC I.D. will mash up the OHOI! arena at RAW 2009.
www.myspace.com/frictiondeejay
(UK – Terrorhythm, Rinse FM)
Nomad brings a fresh perspective to the world of Dubstep wordsmiths. Enough knowledge of the music and culture to toast and an arsenal of lyrics to pepper the set – Nomad is the mic man of choice for the biggest Dubstep DJs in the UK.
Using his weekly Rinse FM show with Plastician to test out his latest bars, Nomad, though a relative newcomer, has quickly become a favourite on the mic with an array of intelligent lyrics. Since featuring alongside Joker on Mary Anne Hobbs’ Generation Bass radio show on BBC Radio One, the pair has toured the world bringing their brand of ‘Jerry Curl Boogie’ to the masses. Nomad and Joker killed the OHOI! dance in Copenhagen this spring, and are ready to do it yet again, this time alongside Plastician at RAW 2009.
(UK – Shogun Audio, Renegade Hardware, Hospitality)
Hailing from the south coast of the UK, MC I.D. is carving his own unique mark on the Drum’n’Bass scene having obtained residencies at Renegade Hardware, Hospitality, Shogun Audio, Devotion and Darklight. Since then, MC I.D. has travelled far and wide promoting his sound; always letting the music breath and keeping the dance floor locked in is what he does best.
He is also the front man to Ninja Tunes’ latest signing The Qemists, which promises to send him even further into the limelight. Besides his Drum’n’Bass focus, MC I.D. is working on both Hip-Hop and Breaks projects, and the future is indeed looking bright for MC I.D.
(JSL, Tim Driver, Kristobal, 2000F)
Denmark’s, if not Scandinavia’s, most respected and well-known ambassadors of bass culture, the four-man gang of OHOI! proudly presents Arena 5 at this years RAW.
OHOI! has for the last seven years been the Danish vanguard of promoting raves and sound system culture in general, as well as holding up a very busy DJ schedule all over Europe. Furthermore the four are hard-working remixing and producing as well as releasing records on their Kraken Recordings label, receiving support from the biggest DJs all over the world.
The OHOI! crew is without doubt considered the pioneers of Drum’n’Bass, Grime and Dubstep in Denmark, and at RAW 2009 the crew will present a unique split Dubstep and Drum’n’Bass arena, showcasing the best UK DJs and MCs. As always, expect the biggest and baddest sound system with heavy amount of bass – OHOI! runs de dance!
www.ohoi.dk
www.krakenrecordings.dk