There are very good reasons why Bladerunner is one of the biggest and most respected names in jungle and drum 'n' bass.
It's not just the finely-honed production skills or his monumental deejay sets. It's not just the modest and humble personality that's endeared him to legions of supporters worldwide. At the core of Bladerunner's rise has been true, heartfelt authenticity born from a lifelong connection to the music's foundations. And it shows in every tune and every blend.
Discovering jungle as a teenager in the mid-nineties, it was inevitable that he would graduate from the dancefloor to the stage and take an active role in the scene. After all, he had the example of his dad – reggae artist and pioneering Radio 1 deejay The Man Ezeke – and he was based in East Anglia, which was quickly becoming a nexus for DnB talent. It didn't take long before the young Bladerunner learned his craft so well he could remake his favourite jungle classics from just the raw samples. That level of dedication would define his career.
Over recent years, a succession of releases on labels like Dread, Critical, V, Born on Road, Souped Up, Technique and many more prestigious imprints have cemented his influence on the scene. A quick glance at his history shows that Bladerunner has never needed to jump on the latest bandwagon to stay relevant. He's usually been the one driving it.
He kept his foundation influences front and centre even before the more recent jungle renaissance, as well as helping to innovate and popularise the much-imitated sub-genre/not sub-genre of “rollers”. Without compromising his style, Bladerunner has managed to maintain critical credibility while also building mass appeal and a huge fanbase. That's not a balancing act many can pull off, but this man is up to the challenge.
No wonder he's been a regular fixture at some of the biggest events on the DnB calendar. The likes of Boomtown, Glastonbury, Hospitality, and many other huge festivals worldwide have all received the Bladerunner treatment. Whatever the venue, from underground raves to international main stages, he's proven that he's equipped and ready to tear the roof off. The combo of his rolling, energetic selection style, his ammo crate of dubs and his immaculate blends make every set something special.
This is a drum 'n' bass artist with real junglist credentials and an unquenchable passion for the music. And, despite his quiet humility, those characteristics have propelled him to the very top of the industry, giving us all the satisfaction of seeing true talent getting the recognition it deserves. But, even with all his achievements so far, it's clear from his prolific output and rammed booking diary that he has a lot more to show us.
So, get ready for the next chapter of the Bladerunner story. It's going to be worth watching.
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