Fabio
DJ Fabio is a true pioneer of UK drum & bass, a legendary figure whose influence stretches from the earliest pirate radio shows to global festival stages. Starting his career in the mid-1980s on South London’s pirate airwaves, Fabio developed a unique style that drew from dub, rare groove, hip hop, disco, house, jungle, and drum & bass, creating a sound that remains timeless and deeply respected.
Fabio’s path to prominence began almost by accident when a friend connected him to a small pirate station. Soon he was honing his skills on air, where he met Grooverider, a partnership that would help shape the UK’s rave and drum & bass culture. By the late 1980s, Fabio was performing at acid house parties and London’s early illegal raves, playing to crowds of thousands and helping lay the foundation for what would become jungle music.
In the 1990s, Fabio helped transform London’s club scene through nights like Rage and Speed, introducing soulful, melodic drum & bass to audiences alongside LTJ Bukem and other innovators. While Speed became the city’s first dedicated soulful DnB night, Fabio’s influence also extended to record labels, including his own Creative Source, which helped launch seminal artists such as Calibre and released more than 50 singles and multiple albums over the years.
Fabio’s radio work has been equally ground-breaking. From his award-winning Kiss FM shows to his long-running tenure on BBC Radio 1, he introduced drum & bass to millions while pioneering the Liquid Funk style, a smooth, melodic take on DnB that remains hugely influential. Today, Fabio tours the world, performing alongside Grooverider or solo, playing sets that span the full spectrum of drum & bass while staying true to the sound he helped create.
Essential Tracks & Releases:
🎧 Fabio – Fearless
🎧 Fabio – Liquid Love
🎧 Fabio – Brass
🎧 Fabio – Rogue Bass
🎧 Creative Source – Various releases including early Calibre tracks
Innovator. Tastemaker. Legendary DJ. Fabio continues to define and inspire the drum & bass scene worldwide.
