When you’re talking about Jungle, you’re talking about DJ Ron. A true pioneer of the sound, an absolute legend in the game, his influence runs from the earliest days of East London’s underground through to the global dominance we enjoy today. Alongside running London Something and continuing to document the history of the culture, he’s never stepped away from showcasing the future.
To celebrate his latest release on Hospital Records, ’21st Century (Bladerunner Remix)’, we asked DJ Ron, so let us know whats in his box. For this one, he’s pulled together a chart that reflects that journey, rooted in history but still looking ahead. And, because he’s DJ Ron, you’ll a few dubs in the mix to (ID:ID issue solved anyone?).
Level 2 – Get To Know Ya
Got this off Bryan Gee this week and it jumped out as the perfect way to start the mix as it signifies the type of liquid tracks I like – funky with clever use of samples and played notes. Been loving what Level 2 has been up to on a vocal tip too with Riya, Collette Warren and others too. He’s got soul but with that bit of grit too when he’s ready.
Hexa & Niall T- Obelisk
When I heard Grooverider play Hexa’s ‘We Are The Dark’ at Sun & Bass 2025, I was like this is seriously different…This guy’s got something going on here. It was a soundscape that I knew came from an artist thinking outside the box. Harry’s been sending me music ever since. ‘Obelisk’ fitted the bill with its electronic melodic vibe with the hint of grit needed to ease me out of my liquid start to this set. Wicked little tune!
Breakage – Dread
Breakage is without doubt in my top five producers right now, and it’s simply because of his uncompromising approach to producing the cleanest and most unadulterated jungle out there. My sets always include a series of more than 2 or 3 bits from his and Shy FX’s catalogue. ‘Dread’ is an example of what can be done when you’re confident about your ability to produce sparse yet authentic jungle that is more akin to dub.
DJ Ron – 21st Century (Bladerunner Remix)
Thanks Bladerunner! His remix brings my version of ’21st Century’ created nearly 30 years into the present and future. Everyone speaks of Dev’s attention to detail when remixing heritage music and his deliberate curations of the original sounds that he uses to make his own keeping the essence of the original intact.
Unnecessary – Hazard
At the halfway point in the mix I wanted to share a piece of music that was so different to anything I’d heard in years, but reached out to me reinforcing my belief that there are no rules in music production and that it’s the balance of music in this scene that has seen it grow from the back streets of the inner cities of London and other large towns to making its way around the world reaching so many other people. Also I might add as an old school hip-hop scratch DJ, I heard rhythms in there that reminded me of scratch patterns I used to perform back in the 80s…it set alight my subconscious!
Metal Giants – Rufige Kru
I’ve been playing ‘Metal Giants’ for what feels like at least a year and a bit. It’s one of those records that have other DJs look over your shoulder to see what’s written on the CDJs…especially when it drops and hurts a dance floor. The thing is DJing a set is like cooking a meal for multiple people with different dietary requirements that you cater for, while making sure you have your own seasoning and secret sauce complimenting all the dishes. This record is some of the seasoning and secret sauce combined.
Bring Da Flava – dBridge
This record is without a doubt one of the most sparse, dub-like pieces of music I’ve ever come across. Seriously, there needs to be more of this to choose from out there. dBridge made this record in 1995 where I had it on plate first, then white a label before it came out in 1996. That’s 30 years ago that record came out, and to this day I have people come to me and ask “what is that?” I mean, I play this 50% of the time I play a set and every time irrespective of where I play the bassline drop and response reminds me and others of where this music we love was originally crafted from.
SHY FX & KINGH – 100
ERIQ’S SONG – Benny L
It was only recently that I found out that this record was never released. It feels like I’ve been playing this for a couple of years and every time it drops the response seems to get bigger every time. The thing about Benny L is for all his greatest achievements as a producer, his knowledge of this scene goes back to his school days to jungle pre-drum & bass and his understanding of its origins are often subtly layered in his more contemporary records. In this track there’s no subtlety about it at all…B-Line, incredibly mixed down breaks slappin!…and of course the cover of Ella Fitzgerald’s vocal by the amazing Shady, has this record as a permanent fixture in my ‘box!’
Tyke & Prestige – Live For Your Neighbour
I got this record about 10 days ago, hadn’t put it on my USB stick and as such haven’t had a chance to play it out. That all changed the minute I started planning this mix as this record by Tyke and Prestige (who incidentally I’m loving the direction of their more recent projects – right up my street). Again, this record combined all the best about jungle and drum & bass and is one I would 100% sign on or off with when I play out as it signifies everything that I love about DJing and this scene’s ebbing and flowing of energy. This was a perfect way to end the list of chosen records that have either recently or over time sustained the interests of mine and those on the dance floor.
