History
UK Garage is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the early 1990s in the United Kingdom. It has roots in several genres, including 2-step garage, R&B, and soul music. The genre is characterized by its syncopated rhythms, chopped-up vocal samples, and heavy basslines.
The early days of UK Garage can be traced back to the pirate radio stations of London. DJs would mix together R&B and house music, creating a sound that was unique to the UK. These DJs would throw parties in warehouses and other underground venues, which helped to popularize the sound.
In the mid-1990s, the genre began to gain mainstream popularity. Artists like MJ Cole, Artful Dodger, and Craig David were signed to major record labels, and their music was played on radio and TV. This mainstream attention helped to bring UK Garage to a wider audience, and the genre soon became one of the most popular styles of music in the UK.
One of the defining features of UK Garage is its emphasis on the 2-step beat. This beat pattern typically consists of a kick drum on the first beat and a snare on the third beat, with the second and fourth beats left empty. The off-beat rhythm of the 2-step beat gives UK Garage its distinctive shuffle and swing.
Another important aspect of UK Garage is its use of vocal samples. Many UK Garage tracks feature chopped-up snippets of R&B and soul vocals, which are manipulated and re-arranged using digital editing tools. This manipulation of vocal samples is known as "chopping and screwing," and it has become a trademark of the genre.
UK Garage also has strong ties to the UK's club scene. Its origins in the pirate radio stations and underground parties of London have given it a reputation as a gritty, DIY genre. Many UK Garage artists and DJs are still closely tied to the UK club scene, playing at clubs all over the country.
In the early 2000s, UK Garage began to evolve into new forms. Grime, a genre that blended UK Garage with elements of hip-hop, emerged in the early 2000s. Dubstep, a slower and more atmospheric form of UK Garage, also rose to prominence in the early 2000s. These new forms of UK Garage helped to keep the genre fresh and relevant.
Despite its popularity in the UK, UK Garage has struggled to make a name for itself outside of the UK. In the US, the genre is still mostly unknown, although some US producers have adopted elements of UK Garage in their own music. UK Garage has also had a limited impact in other countries like Canada and Australia.
Notable artists
Craig David: A pioneer of UK Garage, Craig David burst onto the scene in the early 2000s with hits such as “Fill Me In” and “7 Days”. His smooth vocals and catchy beats helped usher in a new era of R&B:infused garage music.
DJ EZ: Known for his technical prowess on the decks, DJ EZ is a staple of the UK Garage scene. His “EZ mixing” style, which involves seamlessly blending multiple tracks at once, has earned him a legion of fans around the world.
Artful Dodger: One of the most successful UK Garage groups of all time, Artful Dodger are known for their upbeat, pop:infused sound. Their collaborations with Craig David, such as “Re:Rewind”, helped catapult both artists to international stardom.
So Solid Crew: A collective of MCs and producers, So Solid Crew were one of the most controversial groups in UK Garage history. Their gritty, gangsta rap:influenced sound polarized audiences, but there’s no denying their impact on the scene.
MJ Cole: A prolific producer and DJ, MJ Cole is known for his innovative approach to garage music. His fusion of classic house and garage beats with more experimental elements has earned him critical acclaim and a loyal following.
Wookie: With his heavy, bass:driven sound, Wookie became one of the most sought:after UK Garage producers of the late 1990s and early 2000s. His tracks, such as “Battle” and “Scrappy”, helped define the sound of the genre.
The Streets: While not strictly a UK Garage act, The Streets (aka Mike Skinner) helped bridge the gap between garage music and hip hop. His album “Original Pirate Material” is widely considered a classic of both genres.
DJ Luck & MC Neat: One of the most successful UK Garage duos of all time, DJ Luck & MC Neat are known for their catchy hooks and infectious beats. Their hits, such as “A Little Bit of Luck” and “Masterblaster 2000”, are still dancefloor favorites today.
Sticky: A prolific producer and remixer, Sticky has worked with some of the biggest names in UK Garage over the years. From his early collaborations with Ms. Dynamite to his recent remixes of Tion Wayne and Russ Millions, Sticky’s impact on the scene cannot be understated.
Oxide & Neutrino: One of the earliest UK Garage acts to achieve mainstream success, Oxide & Neutrino are known for their use of hip hop samples and breakbeats. Their single “Bound 4 Da Reload” became a UK chart:topper in 2000 and helped introduce garage music to a wider audience.
Broader context
A book that explores the history of UK garage is "Rewind 4Ever: The History of UK Garage" by Paul Oakenfold and Richard Sen. The book takes an in-depth look at the origins of UK garage, its evolution over the years, and the artists who have shaped the genre. It also includes interviews with key figures in the scene, such as DJ EZ and MJ Cole.
One notable quote from "Rewind 4Ever" comes from DJ EZ, who says, "Garage music was a natural phenomenon, something that came out of the UK and represented the streets. It was music that reflected a new Britain, a multicultural Britain, and it was embraced by everybody."
Another book that explores the history of UK garage is "Bass, Mids, Tops: An Oral History of Sound System Culture" by Joe Muggs. The book covers not only the history of UK garage but also the broader culture of sound system music in the UK. It features interviews with key figures in the scene, such as Wiley and Shy FX.
One notable quote from "Bass, Mids, Tops" comes from DJ Spoony, who says, "UK garage was the soundtrack to ordinary people's lives. It was a reflection of what was happening in the clubs and on the streets. It was authentic, and it had soul."
Another notable quote about UK garage comes from music journalist Joe Muggs, who wrote in an article for The Guardian, "UK garage was a brief but shining moment when UK club music found its own unique voice."
UK garage has had a lasting impact on the UK music scene, with many artists still incorporating elements of the genre into their music today. In a recent interview with Vice, the UK garage legend MJ Cole said, "I think the reason UK garage is still relevant is that it was an important milestone for UK dance music. It was the first time a UK sound had crossed over into the mainstream, and it paved the way for other genres to follow."
Socially, UK Garage originated in London, where there was a vibrant club culture that included predominantly black and mixed-race people. Many of them were drawn to the illegal warehouse parties of the late 1980s and early 1990s, such as those organized by pirate radio stations. These parties were not only about dancing but also about protest, as they challenged the authorities that tried to shut them down under the guise of drug control. In this context, garage’s uplifting and soulful sound, as well as its community spirit, resonated with the club-goers, who were seeking a positive outlet for their energy.
Culturally, UK Garage was also informed by the wider musical trends of the time. House music was becoming more mainstream and commercial, with the likes of Madonna and Kylie Minogue incorporating it into their pop hits. At the same time, R&B was becoming increasingly popular, especially with male vocalists such as Usher and R. Kelly. Jungle, another UK dance music genre, was also gaining momentum with its fast breakbeats and ragga-style MCs. Garage took elements from all of these genres, adding its own distinctive flair, such as its use of the two-step rhythm, catchy basslines, and chopped-up vocals.
Technologically, UK Garage was born in the era of digital music production and DJ technology. The genre was characterized by the extensive use of samplers and drum machines, which allowed producers to manipulate and chop up samples from other songs in creative ways. This technique, known as “sampling,” was an essential aspect of the genre, creating its distinctive sound. DJs also played a crucial role in the scene, using vinyl records and CDJs to mix and scratch tracks, and often incorporating MCs to hype up the crowd.
One of the key figures in the early days of UK Garage was DJ and producer Jeremy Sylvester, who released several influential tracks on his own label, Nice 'N' Ripe. Other notable labels included Locked On, which released tracks by Artful Dodger, MJ Cole, and DJ Zinc, and Ice Cream Records, which was run by Karl ‘Tuff Enuff’ Brown, a member of the pioneering garage group Tuff Jam. Critical writing about UK Garage was also emerging during this time, with journalists such as Simon Reynolds, Tim Lawrence, and Adam Bychawski covering the scene in publications such as The Face and Touch magazine.
The success of UK Garage in the late 1990s and early 2000s was reflected in its commercial appeal, with tracks such as Artful Dodger’s “Re-Rewind” and Craig David’s “Fill Me In” becoming mainstream hits. However, the genre faced criticism for being too formulaic and commercialized, leading some purists to turn to other underground dance music styles such as dubstep and grime.