And here we are again! All the way at the very end of the year. The temperature has dropped, Mariah Carey is doing her annual rounds and the Drum&BassArena Awards winners have been announced. Love them or hate them the D&BA awards provide a snapshot of where the drum & bass scene is sitting and create an almighty catalyst for a whole host of healthy debates.
Dave Columbo Jenkins and Jenna G returned to our black and yellow screens as presenters and this year were joined by ceremony host Ama. The awards were packed with insightful interviews with some of the winners, including A.M.C who picked up the coveted Best DJ award for the fourth year in the row. Special mention goes to Hedex who not only came second in this category but also third in best producer. Inja also repeated his previous success at picked up his fifth Best MC award in as many years, and A Little Sound grabbed the top spot in the Best Vocalist category.
Our first surprise of the night came weeks before the event when Hospital Records announced that they would be pulling out of 2022’s awards after winning best label for ten consecutive years. This left space for both Born On Road and 1985 Music to climb one position into first and second space respectively.
Invicta Audio also moved up from last year’s second place to this year’s first, with MODUS and Nueroheadz claiming silver and bronze in this prophetic category. With the ever abundant pool of talent the Best Newcomer is always hotly contested, this year’s top spot is taken by goddard. followd by The Caracal Project and Nia Achieves, all of whom have had a stellar year, playing the biggest gigs and releasing undeniable jams.
The variety of the voters who participate in awards can be clearly seen in the Best Track category with the wide reaching vibes of Sub Focus’ Off the Ground and the more headsy release Visages- Lunar Eclipse (ft. Strategy) taking third place.
This year we see a new award announced- Best Club. And as we read through a mammoth list of grade A line-ups to celebrate their last ever season, in a glorious ode to raving history, the winner of this category is Printworks.
This year’s Hall of Fame category was respectfully awarded to Skibadee. His contribution to British MC culture and the wider jungle, drum and bass scene is immeasurable. His untimely death earlier this year sent shockwaves through the bass music industry, and left our entire screen celebrating his life together. Skiba- we salute you, you are truly missed.
While the winners always split opinions and bred numerous discussions, it’s important to remember it is the richness of variety and depth of difference that make our beloved jungle and drum & bass community so strong. Enjoy the awards, debate with vigour but please, be kind.
You can watch the whole awards ceremony and see all the winners below.
Best DJ
A.M.C
Hedex
Camo & Krooked
Best Producer
Sub Focus
Camo & Krooked
Hedex
Best MC
Inja
Eksman
Degs
Best Vocalist
A Little Sound
Charlotte Haining
Emily Makis
Best Newcomer
goddard.
The Caracal Project
Nia Archives
Best Track
Sub Focus – Off the Ground
Camo & Krooked- No Way Out (ft
Visages- Lunar Eclipse (ft Strategy)
Best Album
Chase & Status – What Came Before
Noisia – Closer
Wilkinson – Cognition
Best Remix
The Prodigy – Breathe (Mefjus & Camo & Krooked Remix)
Total Science – Squash (Break Remix)
Cat Burns – go (goddard. Remix
Best Label
Born On Road
1985 Music
RAM Records
Best Newcomer Label
Invicta Audio
MODUS
Neuroheadz
Best Club
Printworks, London
Warehouse Project, Manchester
Fabric, London
Best Festival
Boomtown
Let It Roll
Rampage
Bets Live Stream
A.M.C – Let It Roll 2022
Dom Whiting – Drum and Bass On The Bike
Camo & Krooked
Best Artwork
Bou & Trigga – Veteran (Serum Remix)
Chase & Status – What Came Before
Wilkinson – Cognition
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