Stevie Hyper D
Stevie Hyper D, born Stephen Austin in London on 20 September 1967, is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential MCs in the history of jungle and drum & bass. With a Spanish mother and Barbadian father, Hyper D brought a unique cultural energy to the mic, helping define the sound and attitude of a movement that was still finding its identity. His voice, cadence, and innovation reshaped what it meant to be an MC in fast-paced electronic music.
Rising from the early 1990s jungle scene, Hyper D is credited with inventing the “double-time” MC style—a rapid-fire flow that doubled the speed of traditional MC delivery while still locking perfectly into the bars of the music. This approach transformed drum & bass performances, pushing MCing into new technical and rhythmic territory. First heard prominently on the 1991 track “Teknoragga,” his style quickly became a blueprint that countless MCs would follow, and remains a standard technique in the scene today.
Hyper D was also a trailblazer in bringing drum & bass MCs into the wider music industry. He became the first DnB MC to secure a major label release, with The Next Step landing on Island Records in 1999. The album showcased his versatility, crossing jungle, hip-hop, and broader electronic influences while retaining the raw energy of the underground. Although released after his death in 1998, the record marked a major milestone for MCs in bass music.
Alongside his major-label work, Hyper D’s legacy is deeply rooted in the underground. He was a regular presence on influential pirate radio stations such as Kool FM, while also receiving airplay on national outlets including KISS FM and BBC Radio 1, a rare crossover at the time. His independent album The Legend, released on Dance Concept and produced by Benny V, further cemented his status. Tracks from the album gained heavy support across both mainstream and pirate radio, with “Buffalo Soldier” later earning a DNBA Tune of the Year nomination in 2004.
On stage, Stevie Hyper D was unmatched. He held residencies at the most respected jungle and drum & bass events, delivering performances packed with speed, clarity, and commanding presence. His ability to energize a crowd without overpowering the music set a new standard for MCs and helped elevate the role from hype man to true performer.
Stevie Hyper D passed away on 5 July 1998 following health complications after a long international tour, but his influence has never faded. Today, he is remembered as a true innovator—an MC who changed the rules, expanded the possibilities of the microphone, and left a permanent mark on drum & bass culture.
Essential Tracks:
🎧 Teknoragga – Stevie Hyper D
🎧 The Next Step – Stevie Hyper D
🎧 Buffalo Soldier – Stevie Hyper D
🎧 The Legend – Stevie Hyper D
🎧 Various Kool FM & live recordings
Fast flows, fearless innovation, and lasting influence — Stevie Hyper D remains a cornerstone of jungle and drum & bass history.
