Junglist Network at the Drum and Bass Awards 2024

When we think of awards ceremonies, we tend to think of tables full of bored suits sitting around and politely clapping.

This years hosts Magika & DJ Tempa

Not these Awards…that’s not going to fly with 2000+ Junglists and Drum and Bass heads, they want big names, great tunes and a great atmosphere, so what was it like?

Industry awards are usually voted for by a panel of industry insiders but these are the Drum & Bass Awards and are voted for by you and therefore hold much more credibility for the artists and anyone who’s a keen DnB fan.

This year the National DnB Awards were held at a new venue, Roller Jam, in Birmingham.

Roller Jam is in Digbeth, a district that is the cultural and beating heart of Birminghams nightlife.

Usually a roller disco providing a nightclub and roller skating experience, this May Bank Holiday weekend it was converted into the setting for the most important night in the Drum and Bass calendar, the Drum and Bass Awards.

After a couple of rounds of voting by the public, the results were in, the trophies ready and a big line up announced only one thing left, the ‘ceremony’. Junglist Network were one of the main sponsors  for the 2024 Awards so we were invited to go along and enjoy the awards by their founder and promoter MC Magika.

Getting In

We arrived shortly after the 3pm start time after following the sound of bass down the road, the venue sits on a corner an old industrial area and looks like it used to be a factory or warehouse which is always promising for a venue.

The security were thorough yet friendly and in no time we had our wristbands and were in. It was still fairly quiet with only a hundred or so ravers milling around or on the dance floor but everyone seemed in a good mood and there were nods and smiles from those we happened to make eye contact with. We grabbed a drink at one of the bars and went for look around to get our bearings.

The Rooms

The first room we came across was more like an alcove as the entrance was completely open with the DJ and sound rig at the far end, it was small with a low ceiling and held approx. 50-100 people which gave it a boiler room vibe and a great atmosphere. Once the music started in here, it was packed all night.

The main room was a huge space with a bar at the back, seating down each side and a huge dancefloor (skating rink) a crowd was gathered in front of the main stage, there were large screens along the side walls and across the back of the stage and the sound system was clear. The ceiling was high giving it an open and airy feel. Its old warehouse / factory roots could be seen around the room from the steel girders in the roof to the bare brick walls.

The artists didn’t appear to have a ‘green room’ so many hung around near the stage and chatted to party goers whilst waiting for their set.

We caught the end of Nicky Blackmarkets set and had the pleasure of watching Charlie Tee build the atmosphere and mix with real energy despite her having just stepped off a plane from Portugal before dashing off to another gig somewhere.

“The back room (and our favourite) had a more Jungly feel to the line up and the sets.”

Room 1

The Back room

It started to pick up in there just after 8pm with DJ SS supported by the Ragga Twins on the mic really taking it up a notch reminding us why they are all still held in such high regard. Other artists in the room to follow were Simon Baseline Smith, This is Inja, Fabio & Grooverider & Logan D.

We’re sad to say we missed the Special Guest DJ Hazard followed by Jungle Cakes topping off the night in the main room but having seen them rinsing out sets before, we’re sure they would have smashed it.

2024 DnB Awards Line up

The Ceremony

The ceremony was hosted by MC Magika and local Birmingham DJ Tempa who placed second for best Breakthrough DJ followed by Millz. The strong showing of female talent nominated and placing first, second and third shows we’re not too far off having a Best DJ category then Best Male category instead of a separate Best Female category.

The hosts sported T’s and caps from the Junglist Network shop for the awards and showed great support for us during the night.

Charlie Tee from Radio 1 collected her award before the ceremony after her set for Best Radio Show, Eksman collected 2 more awards to add to his huge collection over the years but perhaps his highlight was watching his son J Mulla collecting his award for Best Breakthrough MC.

There was a really special moment when the late great Skibba’s daughter stepped on stage to award Eksman the Skibadee Award for Best Lyrical MC. She spoke a few words about her dad before showing that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, getting the crowd joining in with chants of “Deal With the Matter, Deal with it Proper!”

Acceptance speeches were quick, some of the artists who couldn’t make the awards sent in  acceptance videos which were broadcast on the large screens. Chase and Status were one of those who, unsurprisingly, won Best Track for Baddadan receiving a loud cheer from the crowd when announced.

Bass Kulture were really happy to receive their Breakthrough Promoter award, reminding us how important these awards are to those breakthrough artists, promoters and labels in helping them reach a bigger audience.

The ceremony lasted about half an hour and the hosts did a great job in getting through all of the categories and winners, ushering artists onto and off the stage before the crowd started to get restless.

We’re huge fans of Mollie Collins (who won best breakthrough DJ in 2017) & Maddy V (winner of Best Female MC again) so to see them both on the main stage was a treat, both showing that this next gen crop of artists are continuing to take the sound forward, stamping their own style on a genre developed by many of the artists in room next door.

Its rare to see such a mix of the old and the new on the same line up and that’s why the Drum and Bass Awards isn’t just an award ceremony, it’s a celebration of Jungle and Drum and Bass artists, promoters, labels, broadcasters and producers. It’s a celebration of those who, whether behind the scenes or behind a mic or mixer, keep our beloved music alive.

The Checklist

Let’s run through the checklist to see how it scored.

Mad Visuals? Check

Bassface? Check

Gunfingers? Check

Artists having fun? Check

Sunglasses indoors? Check Topless ravers? Check

Winners? Check! (Brixton Bass)

It looks like it scored well on our essential elements checklist so we’re going to give it a big thumbs up!

Ok, we didn’t last the whole 12 hours but we did have a great time, the atmosphere was bouncing and friendly and we’ll definitely go again next year and we hope to see you there!

Remember to vote for those who you think deserve to be noticed in next years awards.

Congratulations to our Junglist Network DnB Awards competition winners who received 2 free tickets to the awards and an overnight stay

You can buy the Junglist Script with vowels T shirt and Jnglst Caps @ the Junglist Network Shop