This week marks the release of Biological Beats Presents 20, the first of a massive two-part VA album that celebrates 20 years of releases.
Founded by London-based MC and ardent scene veteran Fatman D in 2004, the label’s track record speaks for itself. Look back over Biological Beats discography and you’ll find an impressive roll call of current headliners and trailblazers who have all enjoyed early or breakthrough releases such as Dominator (RIP), Turno, Bou, Macky Gee, DJ Limited, Enta, DJ Premium, Traumatize and Toxinate to name just a few.
Making new talent its signature, Bio Beats remain consistently at the frontline of raw, new-generation talent and their anniversary VA album is no exception. Part one landed earlier this week and features the likes of DJ Limited, Posk, Bassface Sascha, Hexa, Parallel and many others. With an equally impressive second part dropping in February, and more big plans to reveal a little later on in the year, Fatman D called us up to tell us more.
20 years! Does it feel that long?
It doesn’t feel that long at all! You know, to be honest with you, I didn’t think I’d make it that long, really and truly. Obviously with the MCing as well, which goes back much further than 20 years, it’s all a bit of a blur anyway. But I got to say, working on this label has given me clarity and vision to see that there are different types of drum & bass on all sides of the spectrum and that can only be a healthy thing and good thing.
What inspired you to set up a label in the first place?
I knew there was a point in the early 2000s when we were killing it as New Breed and my voice was getting battered that there would be a need for another platform and not just performing live. It just started from there really… I was looking into the future. That’s the type of guy I am, a forward thinker.
What have been the biggest changes or developments for Biological Beats over the 20 years?
The music game doesn’t stay the same so you have to move with it, don’t you? Over those 20 years we’ve seen a lot of changes and moved with them. First it was about vinyl, then the digital marketing side of things really became a big factor. The promo is very different now; people are doing outrageous promo just to push a tune!
So things are changing all the time and that’s the way it is. You got to be adaptable and flexible. And in terms of the development for Biological Beats, it’s about the new artists coming through and seeing where they go next. It’s very encouraging and good to see how much people have gone on since they came through on the label. That’s great to see and to have been part of some people’s careers in that way.
A LOT of talented artists have come through the Bio ranks. Often with their earliest releases. That’s got to be a proud feeling for a label owner?
It is a good feeling. Yeah! I wish other people could look at that and do something similar. I don’t see many MCs running labels and I don’t see many other artists bringing in artists either. Companies and brands are bringing in artists but you don’t see many artists trying to break another artist, which I’d like to see more of. But yeah I do feel happy that most artists I’ve brought through are doing amazing things and I’m even happier when they take the time to credit Biological Beats as being a part of that.
Give me some of your favourite memories and highlights from the label history…
Hitting number one on Juno and Beatport is always good. Randall playing Traumatize’s Gas Dem for the first time springs to mind, too. Any takeover we’ve done has been a highlight. We’ve done some really sick takeovers in Belgium and a full Bio Beats tour of the US and taking Dominator and Limited there for the first time. That was a real moment. To be real, there’s been too many highlights over the years I could be here all day listing them. For me the main highlight is that I’m always gassed to be hearing new music from new producers, whether they’re part of the label or brand new, and getting really excited by it and messaging the artist and working out a release plan.
Tell us about the 20 years album!
At first I was thinking about an EP or releasing tracks throughout the year but I spoke to some of the artists on the label and asked the opinions of some close friends and decided to put a whole album together. There are 28 tracks across two parts and over those two albums we’ve got some of the oldest and newest members of the family. We got Bassface Sascha who was the first person to ever release music on the label. We got guys like Traumatize, Limited, Posk, Enta, Sub Killaz, Profile and Flat T who have all had a long relationship with the label. We also got new talents who are killing it like Burntboi, Loto, Chubb and Scarrid. It’s an exciting mixture of new talents, seasoned vets and lots in between, it’s a diverse collection that represents Bio Beats!
How else are you celebrating the big 20?
I’ve got something very big in the pipeline. It’s all hush hush at the moment but all will be revealed soon.
Sick. What else does the future have in store for Biological Beats?
Good question! We just want to put out good music, we’re always looking for exciting new talents to support and we never want to be tied to one sound or style of drum & bass. We’re just going to keep on pushing so here’s to the next 20 years. Let’s see what we can do out here man!
Biological Beats Presents 20 Part 1 is out now
