WREKT @ The Baths, and an intro to the history of jungle/DnB
Faith Hussain heads down to WREKT, who are back for their third event, at The Baths. Electronic music’s incredibly expansive, political, and global history is rich; as well a form of musical expression, it was a direct response to social and economic disenfranchisement, offering a space for expression especially for Black British youth. Faith explores…
The resurgence of electronic music in recent years marks a return to the forefront of global music culture. With more and more events popping up around the UK, this doesn’t just feel like a nostalgic reminiscence of electronic (and its sister genres), but rather a re-contextualisation of electronic music within a modern framework. It feels inspired.
Mixing and MCing has always been about storytelling. WREKT is a so far three time electronic event prioritising genres such as DnB and jungle sets from globally renowned DJs, like as Fabio who played at the most recent event, and emerging underground talent.
In the early 90s, the sound of jungle fused with heavy breakbeat to form DnB. Fabio & Grooverider were some of the first DJs to transform classic jungle beats into jungle drum’n’bass. Their weekly Thursday night sets ‘Rage’, at Heaven in London, blended genres like house and acid and techno into one, and inspired experimentation; they formed completely new sounds. Fabio & Grooverider are the godfathers of Drum and Bass (Mixmag, 2019.) Without their avant-garde approach to music, drum and bass would never have evolved.
Fabio and Grooverider. Image courtesy of The Vinyl Factory
As well a form of musical expression, DnB (and Jungle) was a direct response to social and economic disenfranchisement, offering a space for expression especially for Black British youth. Both jungle and DnB were formed from the sounds that the Windrush community brought with them in the 1940s onwards.
Post WWII, the United Kingdom faced a severe labour shortage thus inviting citizens of the commonwealth to Britain to help to rebuild. Many Caribbean people answered this call and migrated aboard HMS Windrush, however faced a hostile environment upon arrival with long term racism, colour bars, police brutality and alienation.
“Included in this marginalisation was the musical output of the Windrush generation, whose impact on British society and the multiple genres of music we know and love today goes completely unrecognised.”
As well as DnB, the genre of jungle was born from despair. It was a form of cultural expression for London's lower-class urban youth. The post-Thatcherite United Kingdom of the early 1990s had left many young people feeling disillusioned and negative about their futures. Jungle acted as an output to reflect these feelings too.
Rage Flyer at Heaven. Image courtesy of Mix Mag
In the 90s, pirate radios such as Kool F, and raves, were extremely important for spreading of DnB and jungle and allowing DJs and MCs to make themselves known.
Speaking to RedEye Records, a co-host of WREKT, they explained that “What we are listening to now is a continuation and development of the roots sound, which in turn borrowed from other adjacent sounds… Wrekt is a mix of DJs, MCs, sound system, venue and ravers. In each of these aspects we aim to always bring the best.” WREKT aims to give equal voice to known DJs and MCs as well as up and coming ones. These sounds refreshingly are being spread in person, through word of mouth, and through events like WREKT.
WREKT night by Faith Hussain
WREKT was a brilliant amalgamation of soundsystem culture, the development of roots sounds of jungle and DnB, and people of all ages coming together to appreciate this music as well as the just as important historical context of it. The 90 minute set of soulful jungle flavours from Jet Li and Response was just perfect for those (like myself) who prefer a bit more of a funk/ dub inspired sound to lead into a more DnB heavy night. Fabio was mindblowing to see live. His ability to blend grooves with heavy basslines felt nostalgic but fresh. As one of the originators of the genre, along with Grooverider, he helped shape the entire sonic landscape of drum and bass from its earliest days; it was insane to see such a pioneer in the flesh. His set was ecstatic and had everyone bouncing on the dance floor.
I also really appreciated female DJs being included in WREKT, like DJ Angelle. Historian Julia Toppin suggests that the history of jungle and DnB was told predominantly from a white-male perspective (Toppin, 2022). It’s so refreshing to see equally talented Black female DJs be given the space and limelight to grow their following. I’ve really found that unfortunately a lot of women in music, specifically male dominated genres like electronic music, are often seen not for who they are or what they bring, but in contrast to men — as the "other" or simply the opposite of a male artist, rather than being recognised on their own terms.
WREKT is not just a night out; it's a reminder of the roots, resilience, and evolution of a rich musical scene.
“Anything with true value sticks around once established for good reasons.” (RedEye Records, 2025)
Written and edited by Faith Hussain
Cover courtesy of Paste Magaizne