2022 Showcases a Spectacular Gallery of Creatives
In the vibrant world of drum and bass, 2022 was a year marked by groundbreaking releases, collaborations, and performances that pushed the boundaries of the genre. Here's a roundup of some of the key moments and artists that made the year unforgettable.
Kicking off with Visages, the British collective released their Hagakure EP, which featured the DJ tools "Lunar Eclipse" and "Lunar Eclipsed". They also collaborated with Monty on "Ace of Spades" and En:vy on "Ouija Board", and released the mini LP 'From Lead To Gold', which included the track "Black Katana" with Alix Perez.
MC Chickaboo, a regular fixture in drum & bass's rising LGBTQ+ community, Unorthodox, made waves by helping to redress the gender balance in the scene. She mentored up-and-coming women and non-binary artists in EQ50 and even received a nomination for Best MC at DJ Mag's Best of British awards.
The Caracal Project, a French drum & bass artist, had a brilliant year with numerous releases and collaborations. His most personal release to date, 'Journée de merde.', featured his own vocal, a heart-wrenching piano, his signature crunchy bassline, and a delectable guitar solo performed by him. The Caracal Project also linked with Berlin duo BAUGRAPPE90 for the techno-infused 'This is fine.'
Lens, a drum & bass artist, is making a name for herself with her unpredictable switches and seamless blends. Her debut Marufo EP showcased her talent, and she also released her own Hospital Mixtape and collaborated with Doktor, Unglued, and Whiney on the dubbed-out roller "If You Like That". Lens was even nominated for Best DJ at the Drum&BassArena Awards.
Hedex, a Manchester-based drum & bass artist, had his most successful year yet. His remixes of Spinning Method by DJ Guv and Move Your Body by Öwnboss and Sevek soundtracked 2022 and inspired a new generation of ravers. Hedex's remixes and original singles helped establish him as a force to be reckoned with in the scene.
Becca Inglis, another drum & bass artist, spoke about the persistent lack of women MCs within the scene and the issue of cultural appropriation of Jamaican culture in the scene. Her voice added an important perspective to the ongoing discussions about diversity and inclusivity in drum and bass.
Enta, another prominent artist in the scene, completed a 10-track album and embarked on a New Zealand tour. His debut album, 'Digital Rage', received track support from Kings of the Rollers, Andy C, T>I and Benny L.
Finally, Venbee and goddard reached Number Five in the UK charts, a significant achievement that showcased the growing popularity of drum and bass in the mainstream.
While specific data on Lens and Enta's 2022 contributions and achievements is not available in the provided sources, their typical contributions to the scene would include releasing EPs or singles, performing at notable drum and bass events, collaborating with other artists or labels, and receiving recognition from scene tastemakers, labels, or DJ charts. For more detailed information on their 2022 outputs and milestones, music platforms like Discogs, Resident Advisor, or official label announcements would be recommended places to check.
Celebrities such as MC Chickaboo and Becca Inglis used their platforms in 2022 to address important issues in the drum and bass community, including gender balance, cultural appropriation, and the lack of women MCs. The year also saw entertainment from artists like The Caracal Project, who released his most personal work to date, 'Journée de merde.', featuring his own vocals and a heart-wrenching piano solo.
