A new mix released by livwutang, a DJ Mag-recognized emerging artist, meticulously curates selections from dubstep and its stylistic variants, placing a pronounced emphasis on the invaluable contributions of femme vocalists. The collection serves as both a celebration and a critical commentary on the often-underacknowledged role of female voices within the bass music landscape. This latest offering is now available for public listening, inviting a deeper appreciation for the artists featured.
The mix’s tracklist is a carefully constructed tapestry, featuring foundational figures in bass music alongside influential electronica artists. Listeners will encounter pioneering dubstep producers such as Mala, whose track ‘Noches Sueños’ features the distinct voice of Danay Suarez, illustrating the genre’s capacity for emotional depth. Also included is Pinch, a stalwart of the Tectonic Recordings imprint, with ‘Battered,’ showcasing the vocal talents of Yolanda. The iconic supergroup Magnetic Man—comprising Benga, Skream, and Artwork—is represented with their track ‘Fire,’ an anthem powered by the formidable vocals of Ms Dynamite. These selections collectively underscore the diverse ways in which female vocalists have shaped the sound and appeal of dubstep from its nascent stages.
Beyond the core dubstep pioneers, livwutang extends her curatorial lens to encompass a broader spectrum of dub and electronica. King Midas Sound makes an appearance through Cooly G’s compelling ‘revoice’ of ‘Spin Me Round,’ highlighting the collaborative and re-interpretative nature of electronic music production. The uncompromising sound of The Bug is featured with ‘Catch A Fire,’ where Kiki Hitomi’s distinctive vocal delivery adds another layer of intensity. Mark Pritchard, a veteran of electronic music with a career spanning decades, is also included, with his track ‘Heavy as Stone’ serving as a pivotal inspiration for the entire project. Furthermore, the mix acknowledges the interwoven lineage of drum & bass and jungle, with tracks like Kryptic Minds’ ‘Can’t Sleep’ featuring Alys Be, and Mantra’s ‘Mindgames,’ demonstrating the cross-pollination of vocal talent across interconnected UK bass genres.
The Genesis of a Thematic Mix
The inspiration for this particular compilation stems from a conversation livwutang had in May with fellow artist and collaborator @bellaquilina. The discussion centered on Mark Pritchard’s ‘Heavy as Stone’ and the profound impact of its vocal performance. As livwutang explained via social media, they discussed "how the vocal really carries and completes the track." This initial spark led to a broader inquiry: "We started thinking of more examples in dubstep where a femme vocalist, MC, or sample is not-so-subtly the star of the track."
This exploratory phase quickly evolved into a dedicated effort to compile music that exemplified this often-overlooked dynamic. livwutang embarked on a meticulous research process, unearthing tracks where female vocal contributions were central to the composition’s identity and emotional resonance. The process, while rewarding, also exposed a systemic issue within the broader electronic music ecosystem. She noted, "The more I compiled music to include in this mix (which is not comprehensive by the way, just some of my favorites which you’ve probably heard me play), the more I realised that information about many of the vocalists and samples is sparse and many of their Discogs pages are quite barren or nonexistent." This observation highlights a critical gap in the documentation and recognition of female artists, a challenge that this mix implicitly seeks to address.
A Broader Context: Female Voices in Electronic Music
livwutang’s personal journey into electronic music began with North American house music, a genre where "femme vocalists are fundamental to the fabric of house itself." This foundational experience likely instilled in her an inherent appreciation for the power and importance of vocal performance in dance music. The stark contrast between the well-documented legacy of female vocalists in house and the relative obscurity of their counterparts in dubstep became a driving force behind the mix’s creation. "As I’ve grown to love dubstep more and more over the past few years, it felt like the right time to make a mix highlighting some of the vocalists in the genre who I think deserve more shine," she elaborated.
This sentiment resonates with broader discussions within the electronic music industry regarding gender representation and historical archiving. While genres like house and disco have long celebrated iconic female vocalists whose names are synonymous with their biggest hits, the narrative in bass-heavy genres often defaults to instrumentalists and producers, frequently overshadowing the vocalists who contribute significantly to a track’s character and emotional depth. The sparse Discogs entries livwutang encountered are not isolated incidents but rather symptomatic of a larger issue where female contributions, particularly in roles often perceived as secondary to production, are inadequately cataloged and celebrated.
Tracing the Evolution of Vocals in Dubstep
Dubstep, emerging from the UK garage scene in the early 2000s, initially gained prominence for its instrumental focus on heavy basslines, intricate drum patterns, and atmospheric textures. Early pioneers like Digital Mystikz, Skream, and Benga crafted tracks that were often devoid of prominent vocals, designed primarily for sound system culture and dancefloor immersion. However, the genre’s roots in UK urban music meant that the influence of MCs and vocalists from grime, garage, and jungle was never far removed.
As dubstep evolved, it began to incorporate more vocal elements. This ranged from sampled snippets to full-fledged vocal collaborations, adding a new dimension to its sonic palette. The inclusion of MCs and singers allowed tracks to transcend the purely instrumental, offering narrative, emotional weight, and a direct human connection. Artists like Ms Dynamite, already a celebrated figure in UK garage and grime, brought mainstream appeal and lyrical prowess to dubstep tracks, demonstrating its crossover potential. Similarly, the melancholic and ethereal vocal styles found in tracks by artists like King Midas Sound pushed the genre’s emotional boundaries, proving that dubstep could be both heavy and deeply emotive.
The transition from predominantly instrumental tracks to those featuring prominent vocalists was a gradual but significant development. It allowed dubstep to expand its thematic range, explore more complex narratives, and connect with a wider audience who might be drawn in by compelling lyrical content or memorable hooks. livwutang’s mix highlights this crucial period of integration and the vocalists who played an instrumental role in shaping the genre’s sonic identity during this evolution.
Featured Artists: A Deeper Look
The artists and vocalists spotlighted in livwutang’s mix represent a diverse cross-section of talent and influence:
- Mala & Danay Suarez (‘Noches Sueños’): Mala, a co-founder of Digital Mystikz and Deep Medi Musik, is a cornerstone of dubstep. His sound is often characterized by its deep, meditative quality. The collaboration with Cuban singer Danay Suarez on ‘Noches Sueños’ exemplifies how global vocal talent could infuse dubstep with new cultural flavors, adding a soulful, Latin-infused narrative to Mala’s signature sound. Suarez’s rich, expressive voice elevates the track beyond mere instrumentalism, making her contribution central to its identity.
- Pinch & Yolanda (‘Battered’): Rob Ellis, known as Pinch, through his Tectonic Recordings label, has been a driving force in dubstep’s darker, more experimental fringes. Yolanda’s vocal on ‘Battered’ provides a compelling counterpoint to Pinch’s intricate production, adding a haunting, introspective quality that draws listeners deeper into the track’s atmosphere. Her performance is integral to the track’s emotional landscape.
- Magnetic Man & Ms Dynamite (‘Fire’): Magnetic Man, a supergroup formed by dubstep titans Benga, Skream, and Artwork, played a pivotal role in the genre’s commercial breakthrough. Their collaboration with Ms Dynamite on ‘Fire’ was a landmark moment. Ms Dynamite, an acclaimed MC and vocalist known for her sharp lyrical flow and powerful delivery, brought an undeniable star quality and mainstream recognition to the track, demonstrating the genre’s potential for anthemic vocal-led compositions. Her contribution was not just a feature but a driving force behind the track’s widespread appeal.
- King Midas Sound (Cooly G ‘revoice’ of ‘Spin Me Round’): King Midas Sound, featuring the distinctive vocals of Kiki Hitomi and Roger Robinson alongside Kevin Martin (The Bug), crafts a unique blend of dub, electronica, and melancholic soul. The ‘revoice’ by Cooly G, a significant female producer and DJ in her own right, adds another layer of interpretation and showcases the collaborative spirit within the UK bass music scene. Cooly G’s re-imagining underscores the versatility and impact of female artists in both production and vocal roles.
- The Bug & Kiki Hitomi (‘Catch A Fire’): Kevin Martin, as The Bug, is known for his abrasive, industrial-tinged dub and dancehall-influenced productions. Kiki Hitomi, a Japanese vocalist, is a frequent collaborator, her voice often providing a fragile yet resilient counterpoint to The Bug’s heavy soundscapes. On ‘Catch A Fire,’ her distinct delivery and lyrical contributions are essential to the track’s intense and often confrontational aesthetic, proving that vocals can thrive even amidst the most demanding sonic environments.
- Mark Pritchard (‘Heavy as Stone’): Mark Pritchard’s extensive discography spans multiple genres and aliases. His track ‘Heavy as Stone’ stands out for its profound vocal presence, which, as livwutang noted, "carries and completes the track." While the specific vocalist isn’t always foregrounded in the track title, their contribution is undeniably central to its emotional core, serving as a powerful example of how a vocal can define a piece of music regardless of its prominence in marketing.
- Kryptic Minds & Alys Be (‘Can’t Sleep’): Kryptic Minds were known for their dark, atmospheric, and often minimalist approach to dubstep. Alys Be’s vocals on ‘Can’t Sleep’ add a layer of ethereal beauty and vulnerability to their stark sound, creating a captivating contrast. Her performance is crucial in conveying the track’s haunting narrative and emotional depth.
- Mantra (‘Mindgames’): Mantra, a pivotal figure in the drum & bass scene and co-founder of the renowned Rupture crew, also crosses into the broader bass music spectrum. Her inclusion in the mix signifies the interconnectedness of various UK bass genres and highlights the often-uncredited vocal contributions that transcend strict genre boundaries, showcasing the diverse ways in which female artists contribute across the entire spectrum of bass music.
The Mix as a Curatorial Statement and its Implications
livwutang’s mix is more than just a collection of tracks; it is a meticulously crafted curatorial statement. By intentionally spotlighting femme vocalists, she challenges prevailing narratives within dubstep and electronic music that often sideline or under-credit female artists. This mix encourages listeners to actively engage with the music on a deeper level, prompting them to consider the human voice as a fundamental instrument and emotional anchor within bass-heavy productions.
The implications of such a mix are significant. Firstly, it serves as an educational tool, introducing listeners to a wealth of talent they might otherwise overlook. By bringing these vocalists to the forefront, livwutang contributes to a broader re-evaluation of dubstep’s history, ensuring a more inclusive and accurate representation of its development. Secondly, it acts as a call to action for the wider electronic music community, from labels and producers to archivists and journalists, to improve the documentation and recognition of female artists. The issue of sparse Discogs pages, as noted by livwutang, points to a systemic oversight that needs collective effort to rectify.
Furthermore, this mix reinforces the idea that DJs and selectors play a crucial role not just in entertainment, but also in shaping cultural discourse. By consciously choosing to highlight a specific, under-represented demographic, livwutang uses her platform to advocate for greater equity and visibility within the industry. This aligns with broader movements within electronic music to address gender imbalances in festival lineups, production credits, and media coverage.
As livwutang continues to rise in prominence, following her recognition by DJ Mag as an emerging artist to watch, her curatorial choices carry increasing weight. This mix is a testament to her thoughtful approach to DJing and her commitment to fostering a more inclusive and appreciative environment for all contributors to electronic music. It is a vital contribution to the ongoing conversation about representation and the enduring power of the human voice in shaping the sound of dubstep.
