Music Uncovered

During the 90s and 00s the sonics of UK Garage took the country by storm. In a short few years the genre emerged from underground events and transformed into Britain’s #1 party-starting sound. UKG Pioneer DJ Spoony and Music Aficionado Jamz Supernova rewind through the hits, pivotal figures and moments that took UKG to unprecedented.

Have you ever wondered how a genre gets made? You’re in the right place, because Jamz and Spoony explore the origins of UK Garage and meet the people who started it all. Exposed to US house and garage records in small pubs and the super club Ministry of Sound during the 90s, London ravers were inspired to create their own version of the sound. The Godfather of UK Garage, Grant Nelson, retells how some of the genre’s earliest records were created in a kebab shop basement. Matt Lamont’s South London afterparty turned Sundays into the new Saturdays as UK Garage’s iconic Sunday scene was born. In this episode, we hear from Matt ‘Jam’ Lamont, Grant Nelson and Omar Adimora.Artwork Image - Ewen SpencerPresenters: Jamz Supernova and DJ Spoony Producer: Tommy Dixon Written by Tommy Dixon Technical production: Ant Danbury Additional production: Ibz David Thompson, Zayna Shaikh, Dan Jones Editor for BBC Audio: Andy Worrell Commissioner for BBC Music: Will Wilkin A BBC Audio production

Jamz and Spoony take to the international dancefloor as they find out what made UKG events like no other. Spotting rap royalty Jay Z, dancing with actor Wesley Snipes or even hearing a DJ mix from football legend David Beckham were just some of the many things that happened at the iconic Twice as Nice South London event. The UK Garage crowd were famously dressed up to the nines. So Jamz and Spoony find out what made the garage look and Spoony’s brown leather pants so legendary. Make sure to book your flights as we discover how the sounds of UKG took thousands of ravers abroad and transformed the small fishing resort of Ayia Napa into its International homeIn this episode, we hear from Reggie Yates, Ms Dynamite, Kele Le Roc, DJ S and DJ Target.Archive footage in this episode: BBC Radio 1 Ayia Napa WeekenderArtwork image - Ewen SpencerPresenters: Jamz Supernova and DJ Spoony Producer: Tommy Dixon Written by Tommy Dixon Technical production: Ant Danbury Additional production: Ibz David Thompson, Zayna Shaikh, Dan Jones Editor for BBC Audio: Andy Worrell Commissioner for BBC Music: Will Wilkin A BBC Audio production

Jamz and Spoony bubble and vibe to the wicked lyrics and flows of the UK Garage MCs. The Godfather, MC Creed, shares how he changed the scene hidden behind a DJ booth, becoming the genre’s first ever MC. Taking inspiration from the Jungle scene and Caribbean sound system culture, in the early 2000s, London crews Heartless, So Solid and Pay As You Go emerged as UKG's next superstars. The versatile, unapologetic and high energy MC-led records became the hot and new sound from the Garage scene. The raw sound changed the lives of artists overnight but also brought problems. The music brought widespread criticism and the untimely demise of the garage scene. In this episode, we hear from MC Creed, So Solid Crew’s Oxide and Neutrino, DJ Fonti and MC Bushkin, and DJ Target.Archive footage from this episode: BBC Crimewatch Former British MP Kim Howell on BBC Radio 4Artwork image- Ewen SpencerPresenters: Jamz Supernova and DJ Spoony Producer: Tommy Dixon Written by Tommy Dixon Technical production: Ant Danbury Additional production: Ibz David Thompson, Zayna Shaikh, Dan Jones Editor for BBC Audio: Andy Worrell Commissioner for BBC Music: Will Wilkin A BBC Audio production

Why should we appreciate Coldplay? Greg James dives into Coldplay’s firsts; first radio appearance, first Glastonbury, first award. And, of course, their first top ten hit: YELLOW

Greg James explores amazing Coldplay stories, the trouble, the success, and the fans.

In this episode, we talk about inspirations and the inspired. We begin to understand the impact Coldplay have really had on music. Presented by Greg James.

Greg James delves into Coldplay's transformative impact, highlighting their commitment to philanthropy, environmental stewardship and innovative approach to music and touring.

DJ Flight, Storm and other genre-defining contributors tell the story of Drum & Bass.

As jungle rapidly morphs, a groundbreaking new record label and club night becomes a nerve centre for this dynamic new movement: Metalheadz, founded by Goldie, Kemistry and DJ Storm is as wild and innovative as the DJs and producers who created it. Revellers flock to a tiny basement club in Hoxton Square, each week, to hear this new sound taking shape. But with the increased exposure, the first bad press begins making its mark on the scene, forcing an identity crisis for the original junglists.

Drum & Bass approaches the 2000s on the brink of disaster: the spirit has left the music, eaten up by the major labels and the money. Kemistry’s death has torn a hole in the heart of the community. So how do you recover from that? The combined optimism of a fresh wave of young talent and an old guard, ready to be revitalised, creates a new, exciting form of D&B – ready to deliver the music to new audiences and new heights.

When Dubstep invades dance floors in 2008, it’s like UK garage all over again. What happened to all the D&B lovers? Where did they go? But as those in the underground ponder the state of the nation, above the surface, a more commercial form of the music is growing stronger and stronger – thanks to festival headline sets from Pendulum and the very first D&B UK number one single: DJ Fresh and Rita Ora’s Hot Right Now.

30 years on from the birth of the genre, drum & bass is still adapting. When the global pandemic closes nightclubs in 2020, a period of soul searching follows - but D&B emerges with more purpose. The community expands to welcome in new talent like Nia Archives. Old and new faces come together to celebrate the longevity of D&B - and to future-proof a culture that’s already weathered so much loss. Storm and Flight reflect on just how far this music has travelled, and the distance it still has to cover…