Comments (7) Best Dubstep Ambassadors - 2010
DJG, Babylon System, Spit Brothers, and Kozee
Illustration by Nate Van Dyke
S.F. clubbers were early adopters of dubstep, the bass-heavy cousin of U.K. garage music, which originated in South and East London. In recent years, local DJs, producers, and artists have established San Francisco as the leading American city for original dubstep creations. Here are a few of our big-time, globe-conquering dubstep ambassadors.
DJG
djgblog.tumblr.com
Dean J. Grenier's productions revel in dub music's darker edges with cavernous reverb, vintage techniques, and hypnotic looped elements. Grenier's work has been championed by tastemaker U.K. radio DJs N-Type from Rinse FM and BBC Radio 1's Mary Anne Hobbs, who called his mixes "devastatingly good."
Babylon System
www.myspace.com/thebabylonsystem
Producers Roommate and No Thing are two mellow dudes in the Sunset District who record massive sounds as Babylon System. Like the dread politics implied by their name, these guys blend potent reggae samples and skanking keyboards with wild stomping beats and absolutely redonkulous bass tones. Their singles for local label Argon have led to global DJ tours, but they still make time for gigs here, too. Catch their riddims!
Spit Brothers
www.myspace.com/thespitbrothers
The Spit Brothers are producer-instrumentalists Bakir and Dubsworth. They run the Dubsalive label and perform live, bassy electronic sounds, sometimes with Bad Brains–worthy shredding guitars. Their music has all the familiar dubstep markers — deadly sub-bass, compressed kick-snare patterns, and eerie, echoing synths — but they also wisely incorporate live horns and guitar.
Kozee
www.myspace.com/kozeerunnintingz
S.F. audiences have been thrilled since Marina Patino moved down from Sacramento and got behind the decks. Wherever she's spinning, Kozee puts passion and precision into her mixes and music. Her recent EP, "Sugarloaf," showcases her melodic tastes, but she can rock hardcore beats with the best of them.
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