The drum & bass (D&B) scene has always been one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving in the world of electronic music. From its roots in the underground clubs of London to becoming a global phenomenon, the genre has nurtured countless artists, labels, and promoters. Among the major players in the D&B scene, DnB Allstars has made a significant name for itself. But with such a high-profile platform, the question arises: is DnB Allstars helping to grow the scene and support new talent, or is it hindering the emergence of fresh voices in the genre?
What is DnB Allstars?
Founded in 2016, DnB Allstars is a collective, event brand, and record label that has become one of the most visible entities in the drum & bass scene. Known for its huge club nights, festivals, and collaborations with established artists, DnB Allstars brings together the biggest names in the genre, like Andy C, Wilkinson, and Sub Focus, alongside emerging talent. Its events are often marked by massive sound systems, world-class lineups, and high-energy atmospheres, attracting thousands of fans from across the globe.
On the surface, it might seem like a dream come true for drum & bass fans: a platform that showcases both the legends of the genre and rising stars. However, with its commercial success and dominance in the scene, some question whether DnB Allstars is truly serving the needs of new and independent artists, or whether it’s unintentionally stifling innovation by focusing on mainstream success.
The Case for DnB Allstars: A Platform for Artists
One of the key arguments in favor of DnB Allstars is that it has provided a high-profile platform for both established and up-and-coming artists to gain exposure. In a scene as competitive as drum & bass, breaking through can be challenging, especially for new talent. With the help of events like DnB Allstars Presents and their partnership with well-known festivals such as Let It Roll, the collective has provided a space where rising artists can share the stage with D&B legends, allowing them to showcase their skills to a wider audience.
The influence of DnB Allstars extends beyond just the music they play. Their branding, which includes the DnB Allstars podcast and a series of live-streamed events, has become a go-to source for fans seeking new music and the latest happenings in the genre. As Mixmag notes in its coverage of the collective, DnB Allstars has "revitalized the scene" by bringing attention to fresh talent while ensuring that the genre stays relevant in the public eye.
Key Source: According to DJ Mag, the label's ability to bring together both mainstream acts and emerging artists has been instrumental in keeping drum & bass in the spotlight. By hosting large events that attract diverse audiences, DnB Allstars helps bridge the gap between established names and new talent, creating opportunities for collaboration and exposure.
The Criticism: Commercialization and the Focus on Big Names
However, there is a growing argument that the rise of DnB Allstars has been somewhat detrimental to the genre, particularly when it comes to the cultivation of new artists. The main criticism is that the collective’s focus on commercial success and established names may be limiting opportunities for emerging artists who don’t have the same level of recognition.
As one RA review of a DnB Allstars event pointed out, while the collective brings large crowds to drum & bass nights, these events often feature a set lineup of big-name artists, which can result in less space for up-and-coming DJs and producers to break through. In the long run, this can create a bottleneck effect where only the most commercially viable artists get exposure, while smaller, independent talent struggles to gain visibility. The repetitive nature of the lineups, dominated by heavyweights like Andy C, Netsky, and Wilkinson, may unintentionally overshadow new voices who are pushing the boundaries of the genre.
Additionally, the popularity of the brand could contribute to a sense of “stagnation” within the scene. As Juno Download points out, when large-scale events become too focused on a handful of household names, it can discourage the innovation and risk-taking that has always been a hallmark of the D&B scene. The genre’s early days were marked by constant reinvention, with new subgenres and sounds emerging all the time. In contrast, some critics argue that the prominence of commercial brands like DnB Allstars could lead to a more formulaic approach to production and performance, where the emphasis is placed on crowd-pleasing hits rather than artistic exploration.
Key Source: Mixmag has criticized the focus on big-name acts as potentially limiting the diversity of lineups, saying that this can contribute to a "cultural lock-in" where only certain styles of drum & bass are celebrated, and other innovative or niche sounds are left in the margins.
Supporting New Talent: The Potential for Growth
While some of the criticism aimed at DnB Allstars is valid, it’s important to recognize the ways in which the collective has tried to create pathways for new talent. The label’s regular events do feature slots for up-and-coming artists, and the collective has partnered with events like Hospitality to provide new producers with the opportunity to perform in front of large audiences. Additionally, DnB Allstars' collaborations with local promoters and labels have introduced lesser-known acts to wider crowds.
One of the collective’s key strategies is to showcase new artists alongside seasoned veterans, allowing both the crowd and the artists to experience the full spectrum of drum & bass. For instance, events like DnB Allstars Presents: New Blood have allowed emerging talent to play alongside the likes of Andy C or High Contrast, creating a sense of community where newer artists feel validated by their involvement with the collective.
Key Source: DJ Mag has noted that by promoting new artists in the context of large-scale events, DnB Allstars offers a stepping stone for artists to develop their profile, pointing to the success of acts like Kanine and Spor, who have used the collective’s platform to further their careers.
The Balance: Can DnB Allstars Adapt?
Ultimately, the question isn’t whether DnB Allstars is “helping” or “hindering” the D&B scene—it’s whether the collective can strike a balance between supporting commercial success and fostering the growth of new, innovative talent. DnB Allstars is undoubtedly a major force in the scene, but it is crucial for them to continue adapting in ways that keep the spirit of discovery alive in drum & bass. This means offering more opportunities for fresh, emerging voices and pushing boundaries with experimental lineups, while still honoring the genre’s legacy of collaboration between established and up-and-coming artists.
One area where DnB Allstars could further innovate is by actively supporting new talent through initiatives like mentorship programs or exclusive releases for unsigned artists. Juno Download has suggested that large brands should move beyond their commercial success and champion the underground talent that forms the backbone of the D&B scene.
Conclusion: A Double-Edged Sword
DnB Allstars, like many successful brands in the music industry, has a dual role in the drum & bass scene. On one hand, it undeniably brings massive exposure to the genre and provides a valuable platform for both established and new artists. On the other hand, its focus on commercial success and big-name lineups could overshadow emerging talent and stifle the innovation that has been the hallmark of D&B since its inception.
For DnB Allstars to continue its positive impact on the scene, it will need to ensure that new artists aren’t just given a token spot on the bill but are genuinely supported through initiatives that foster their development. As the D&B scene continues to evolve, the key to its future will be the ability to balance the commercial with the experimental—something that DnB Allstars has the potential to do if it stays true to its roots of supporting both the new and the established.
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