DJ Mag 2024 Best of British Awards: Winners List

 

Best DJ: JOY ORBISON

"I think when you earn people's trust, you have to do something," Peter O 'Grady, A.K.A. Joy Orbison, describes his DJ philosophy. "You can't just keep giving the audience what they want."

As the winner of the Best DJ award (" That's a surprise, thank you, "he says), he's not content to just play the hits. Instead, his shows seamlessly switch between the styles and sounds he loves, using those bass-driven genres that first drew him to electronic music as a connecting link. Today, he is active not only in small clubs, but also as a headlining artist at huge venues and festivals around the world, blending elements of garage, house, techno, garage and hip hop into his unique blend of music.

Undoubtedly, the hit single "flight fm" expanded his audience, especially in the United States. When he plays in the United States, he hopes not only to entertain, but also to challenge the club audience. "I was playing in New York recently, and that was my show, so I was kind of preaching to an audience that was already receptive," he said, "but in the midst of it, it gave me hope and wanted to see what I could bring in, even though I was playing music that people might not be ready for, but they were receptive to." I'm playing a bigger venue than I used to, but I want some moments where it seems a little unconventional, a little weird." He has a lot of plans for the New Year, though he doesn't reveal them in detail. Most importantly, he will try to reach as many people as possible through his DJ shows. "Anyone who will listen, I want them to hear it."

 

Breaking through DJ: AZYR

"Winning this award is a truly incredible feeling," Azyr said on receiving the Best of British Breakthrough DJ Award for 2024. "If someone had told me a year ago that I would have a chance to win this award, I wouldn't have believed it. [Winning] is a true reflection of all the hard work I've put in since I started my career as a DJ, and being recognized by the industry and the public makes me proud of what I've achieved so far."

Azyr's DJ style is dominated by hardcore techno dance music, incorporating elements such as acid and Schranz, and is committed to providing an unforgettable experience and connecting with the audience. One of his most memorable shows of 2024 was Teletech, a full-night long performance for 6,000 people at the BEC Arena in Manchester, a show that was pretty much the pinnacle of his home city. "It was such a great achievement, and to have my family and friends around me, watching me come this far, was a moment that made me wonder if I was dreaming." It was on a par with his shows at Glastonbury, Awakenings and Tomorrowland, he said.

It's been a year of growing up and making new friendships for the young artist, but he can't wait to get back in the studio in 2025 and attend some premieres on the "must-do list."

 

Best Producer: PAWSA

"My goal is not to make music that sounds like me," PAWSA said. "I make music because I want to hear it." This year, PAWSA's fresh, personalized work has attracted thousands of listeners. These works are full of innovation, which is why DJ Mag readers named him the best producer of 2024.

"I make music because I love it, not for recognition," says PAWSA, one of the founders of the PAWZ label and co-founder of Solid Grooves. "I appreciate it, but I don't care too much about that because it might throw me off track. I want to stay focused and focus on the present and the music I'm making."

Sampling is a key element of PAWSA's work, and many of his hit singles this year were written in this way. "Pick Up The Phone," a funky tech-house track with the vocals of late legendary rapper Nate Dogg, is undoubtedly the most representative. "Too Cool To Be Careless" is another huge piece, a tight and grimacing flip remix from Dennis Edwards and Siedah Garrett's "Don't Look Any Further" with a rich melody thrown in. At the same time, he enhanced the Adventures Of Stevie V's 1990 classic "Dirty Cash (Money Talks)" to give it a more clubby feel.

PAWSA admits that when it comes to recording, less is more. "Overthinking takes the soul out of a song," he believes. "The key for me is knowing when to stop and let the imperfections add character." In 2024, the British producer took this art to the extreme.

 

Breakthrough Producer:  JOSH BAKER

"It was created for the dance floor; It's fun, with a pulsating bass line, harmonious chords, simple and uncomplicated, but it's so varied it's hard to describe in words!" With a smile on his face in the Zoom video, Josh Baker tries to define his unique production style, which is why he won the Breakthrough Producer Award for Best of British.

His focus on clean, direct, fully dancefloor oriented house music Is perfectly reflected in his work This year with Jam Is Pumping and Handle This. Both songs were released on Baker's You&Me label, while in 2024 he also released new material on Chaos, MOG, TSZR, fabric and Constant Black.

"Through my work this year, you can almost see how I've stepped up to where I am today," Baker tells us, "like how I've made the bass line more appealing or filled in gaps in the 16-bar loop that I might not have noticed before." By working with more singers and thinking about the main themes of the songs, I feel like I finally brought a complete body of work this year."

His successful 2024 singles "Something To Me" and "Misleading" showcased his fully formed sound, successfully achieving the "Holy grail" of dance music - being both underground and widely accepted. "My music has become more appealing this year, but I'm still keeping it real," Baker said. "It's still very popular in underground clubs and it's often played on DC-10, but BBC Radio 1 plays it too."

We have to ask, as an emerging artist, does he have any production tips to share with other emerging producers? "It's hard to beat the feeling of playing your first show, your first release, the first time you hear a DJ play your work, so enjoy it -- enjoy the journey, not the destination."

 

Best MC/Singer: BECKY HILL

Becky Hill is undoubtedly one of the best examples of music fans deconstructing traditional rules, and her breakthrough single Afterglow - a drum and bass masterpiece written with Wilkinson - remains a major presence today. The song was released in 2013, at the tail end of the boom in TV music talent shows and a time of widespread skepticism about making pop music. Hill was fresh off The Voice, and when Wilkinson asked her to collaborate, she was concerned that the status would affect his credibility. "That's why I took my name off Afterglow," she explained. Did she ever regret her anonymity when the song reached number 8 on the UK singles chart? "I couldn't be happier," she said. "I've written a Top 10 drum & bass single in less than 12 months of being in the industry."

Hill has dreamed of becoming a singer since she was two years old, inspired by founding singers Sonique and Jenna G. "Jenna G is the mother," she said. "Her songwriting and singing arrangements open everyone's eyes to the endless possibilities of sound in the drum & bass space." Both Hill and Jenna G have been outspoken about the credit and compensation issues that come with being featured artists. "Singers and songwriters have to work harder to stand up for themselves," Hill said. "We still need to help each other and give the guest singers the credit they deserve."

Now, Hill is finally getting those accolades, with two BRIT Awards and the DJ Mag Award for Best MC/ Artist, a second album with the likes of Wilkinson, Chase & Status and Andy C, and a sold-out tour. "It's a fairytale dream come true," she said with a laugh. "The next goal is world domination. I've already started writing my third album."

It is this unique vision that has made Hill a leading figure in drum & bass and has led her to great success in her artistic career. "I never thought this little girl from Bewdley would get to where she is today and who knows where I could be in ten years."

 

Breakthrough MC/Singer: CLEMENTINE DOUGLAS

When we spoke to Clementine Douglas earlier this year, the Brighton-based singer, songwriter and producer had just released her first singles and had sold out her first solo UK tour, certainly proving that she was on a promising path when it came to creating music that "nourishes her soul".

As 2024 comes to a close, Clementine has now picked up the Breakthrough MC/ Artist Award for Best of British, which is yet another sign that she's heading in the right direction. She has provided soulful vocals for many dance tracks produced by globally renowned artists such as Chase & Status, Blessed Madonna, David Guetta, TSHA and others, and her time writing lyrics in her pyjamas during the lockdown of 2020 has finally come to a fruitful end.

Since then, she has toured with Chase & Status and Pete Tong, as well as with P! Artists such as NK and Sonny Fodera collaborated to provide vocals for "Runaway" and "Asking" respectively. But after releasing Clementine's singles "True", "Slippin'" and "Riddles", she gradually developed her own unique style in songwriting and production, hoping to carve out a niche outside the club and develop her love for a more soulful and R&B-inspired sound.

"So honored to win the Breakthrough Artist Award!" She said of her acceptance speech: "As someone who has been writing and singing for almost 20 years, I am so grateful for the support and recognition I have received - this is an exciting milestone for me and I feel like I am just getting started."

 

  

Best Brand: DEEP MEDI MUSIK

DEEP MEDi MUSIK is a remarkable and groundbreaking label that has been around for 18 years. As the home of countless iconic dubstep works, it has a unique ability to push its genre forward while always staying true to its roots.

In 2024, dubstep's broad rhythms and DEEP bass have permeated almost all dance music, and DEEP MEDi remains a major force in this field. This year's releases include Cartridge's avantgarde futurist work, EGOLESS's extraordinary vision and musicality on his DUBTERNAL album, the classic MEDi style of new generation hero Hamdi, and reggae tribute pieces by Youngsta & Mucky Update. "I think that's why we operate the way we do," Mala, the label's founder, says of the label's continued success. "We really care about every artist we work with."

"We don't just get the music and release it," explains label manager Steph MEDi, who has been with the label for 12 years, "the artist is involved every step of the way." If they don't have an idea, we offer advice and guide them. We tried to present the music the way they wanted it to be, while still keeping the MEDi brand."

Release and performance plans are usually finalized well in advance (plans for the label's 20th anniversary in 2026 are already in the works), but the founders operate in a flexible manner, avoiding disappointment and always putting art first. "The best thing about having your own label is that you can release the music you like, it's not that complicated," Mala said. "For me, publishing and choosing music is actually very simple. It's the music I stick to, the music I want to shout about."

 

Breakthrough Brand: M  A.D RECORDS

"I think our style of music is a little bit different, we don't care so much about what the 'hottest new thing' is, we're just releasing music that we like." Ben Lewis, co-founder of M.A.D Records, who runs the label with Make A Dance production and party partner Josh Ludlow.

Initially, M.A.D Records was created to release the duo's own music, but today the label has quietly grown into a highly respected brand with music styles ranging from House, Breaks, disco and more, with an open A&R policy. "It's music that makes you want to dance," Lewis continues, "We love everything from 100BPM to 140BPM, and the label reflects that, but the one thing they all have in common is my personal taste and Josh's."

There is no doubt that House Music is a difficult business model to sustain, but Lewis is clearly not interested in other careers. "I don't want to do anything else," he says. "It's what I love, I've been DJing for 20 years, I've had other labels, but it's really hard to figure out how to make a living from it. That's why this award means so much to Josh and me, it gives us motivation to keep going."

So, DJ Mag asks, what was Lewis' motivation before? "I just fucking love it!" Lewis answered without hesitation. "It's wonderful to give someone a home for their music. It's a wonderful thing."

 

 

Best Album: EZRA COLOR "DANCE, NO ONE'S WATCHING"

[PARTISAN RECORDS]

The recipe Ezra Collective has perfected over the past three albums - blending elements of neo-soul, sunbeam beats, and Afro-rhythm jazz, underlaid by four-four beats and embellished with pure joy - reaches Michelin-star perfection on Dance, No One's Watching.

One of the most striking features of the album is that, while its atmosphere remains indisputably positive, it is also emotionally complex. True, there are some confident beats on the album that turn the ebullient clubhouse atmosphere into a sustained climax, but there are also quiet and somber moments that eventually evolve into a force that encourages people to keep going, as the band escalates in tempo.

"It all comes from being honest, not just when you're happy, but also when you're down, remembering that everything is temporary," says band leader Femi Koleoso, trying to explain the different flavours of joy on the album.

This pillar of honesty gives Dance, No One's Watching a true three-dimensional feel, making it a positive album that exists not just for the good times. This quality has clearly rubbed off on the album's audience as well: "One guy told me he had a very miserable year, indescribably dark," Koleoso continues, "and then he said the album was the background music that kept him going." It moved me."

These two traits - a sense of community on the dancefloor and a sympathetic resonance - come together perfectly on the album's final track, "Everybody," a lyric-free five-minute progressive that ends with a big chorus and gentle solo piano. It's a perfect summary of the album's vibe: an album that is both complex and completely inclusive, filled with love, joy and support.

 

Best Collection: SHYGIRL "FABRIC PRESS SHYGIRL"

[FABRIC RECORDS]

"fabric has a deep meaning to me," Shygirl told us. "I met my manager at Sophie's show a few years ago. So it's really fun to be able to commemorate that with this compilation."

2024 is the year Shygirl embraces the club like never before - or rather, the year she returns to it. "I didn't have as much time to go clubbing before, and I didn't have as much anonymity. Hosting my own club nights has given me a renewed sense of club music."

Her fabric presents compilation is a microcosm of this journey. As a high-energy, sing-led dance medley (" Powerful singers really get me through the night," It celebrates the direction of British House and its many offsets, from Eliza Rose to Hudson Mohawke, and gives fabric's repertoire a distinctive spin in a way that is both necessary and bold. "This is an album that showcases the artists who provide the background music for my nights. Something that's completely true to the spirit of club music."

The compilation also features tracks from Shygirl's own Club project, Club Shy, the EP that gave birth to her eponymous club night and is arguably the source of her current creative momentum. For Shygirl, returning to the club was about returning to her instincts. "Club music is where I find myself. You can make the club an emotional experience. When I do Club Shy and see the same people coming over and over again -- it's like family."

 

Best Single:  JOY ORBISON《FLIGHT FM》

[HINGE FINGER / XL RECORDINGS]

 

Sometimes the best tunes are the simplest. When Joy Orbison's flight fm plays in the sober light of the day, the tune is remarkably terse, its rolling rhythms paying homage to grime and electronic music, synth bass circling the melody like a swarm. However, the combination of these elements is magical. That sense of anticipation and eventual bass shock and irresistible drum beat made "flight fm" a huge dancefloor, heard reverberating through clubs and festivals, played by various DJS, and inspired countless remixes and edited versions.

The tune was inspired by the pirate radio station Flight FM he listened to in his youth, while also incorporating his love of drum & bass and grime, which were his initial musical pursuits. "' flight fm 'is a sound I've been playing with for years," Orbison said. "This version is probably the most straightforward. It would have been understandable to me when I was 16, but it still excites me."

With DJS like Four Tet and Skrillex playing, 'flight fm' attracted a wider audience than Joy Orbison's usual fans. A rare universal dance song that defies simple categorization, it was sung in Fred again... The re-edits were given new life when he added vocals to Lil Yachty's "Flex Up".

"I love the way music can be reinterpreted as it reaches a wider audience," says Joy Orbison. "For me, it just feels like that, but I'm sure for a lot of people, it can be interpreted completely differently, and I really like that diversity."

 

Best Rap Album/Remix:  NINES《QUIT WHILE YOURE AHEAD》

[ZINO RECORDS]

Nines, from Church Road, Halsden, London, is godfather to the Ice City Boyz, who showed off his smoky, deep voice in 2007 when he was just 17, Spray lyrics on "Nu Crack" with OutKast's "Two Dope Boyz" instrumental accompaniment.

After releasing four mixtapes between 2010 and 2015, Nines signed to the XL label and achieved three consecutive top five hits on the UK album chart. They were "One Foot Out" (2017), "Crop Circle" (2018) and "Crabs in a Bucket" (2020), the latter of which went to No. 1. He proved that street rap at the highest level would be taken seriously and made history in the process.

Today, Nines is leaving rap on his own terms. The album Quit While You're Ahead was his triumphant tour, with Nines' lyrics slowly unfurling and production styles ranging from the grandiose Tony Soprano 3 to the more modest Drug Dealer Poetry. On Champagne Problems, he says flatly: "I wrote 16 lyrics because I was bored/only rappers who were like drug lords." His nonchalant approach to bragging (the album is filled with similar phrases) is unparalleled.

But there are touching moments on the album, such as on "Don't Cry," when the shadow of death looms large. The song's chorus features the voice of his late brother Zino, who was murdered in 2008, and Nines' music immortalizes his name in history. "My house and my album will take care of my daughters," Nines says over a whimpering guitar melody, depicting the world he has left behind, his legacy secure.

 

Best Rap Single:  K-TRAP《HEAVEN OR HELL》[THOUSAND8 / EGA]

Gipsy Hill's MC and British Drill pioneer K-Trap have come a long way from their beginnings creating vivid street reports in emerging scenes while wearing masks and working against gloomy production backwaters. Smile? As K-Trap's official debut album, which reflects his relaunch after his disappointment with "Street Side Effects," presents stark contrasts in subject matter and music as Trapo MUSES about his past life, experiences survivor's guilt, and ultimately tries to come to terms with his new place in the world.

"Heaven Or Hell," named the best rap single of 2024, captures the stark sense of contrast on the album. "My wife came from heaven/I feel like I met my girl in hell," Trapo says against the backdrop of a lavish Drill made by Nathaniel London, trudging between light and dark.

"With Heaven Or Hell, I wanted to let my female listeners know that we supported them from the beginning. I want my female fans to really feel this album." Trapo spoke to DJ Mag. "With this song, I just wanted to show what we saw with a different perspective. I'm not trying to be a sweet love song, okay? I wanted to make a real song with real emotions and feelings. It has that sense of honesty."

 

Best Club:  FABRIC, LONDON

As a club that continues to shine for 25 years, fabric continues to push the music scene forward and has won support and admiration from all over the world, no doubt winning the Best of British Club Award for 2024.

"It's amazing to receive an award like this this year," said Judy Griffith, programming director at fabric, who co-manages the club with Andy Blackett. "Because we've been around for so long, this award means even more to us. To feel validated and still relevant is something we can never take for granted. To be honest, I feel very lucky. To be recognized after 25 years is incredible."

Given the struggles nightlife has faced in recent years, this award is a reminder of the need to remain resilient, even in the midst of adversity, and the power of community remains strong. "I feel like the club culture is tough in England at the moment, but we've actually had a really good year," Blackett said. "I think in our 25th anniversary year, people have come out and supported us. It means a lot to have all the artists we've worked with perform for us this year. Also, I think the revival of FABRICLIVE is very positive and it looks like it is going from strength to strength."

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, fabric is also touring this year, collaborating with other inspired clubs and collectives including Fuse in Brussels, Resolute in New York and Phonotheque in Uruguay. "It has been a very enriching experience to see fabric's reach and philosophy extend so far and to be able to meet members of the global community we have helped build," Griffith said.

 

Best Club Event: EASTENDERZ

"The essence of the Eastenderz party is the music and our crowd," said the team behind this year's best club event. This mission is simple, but often easily overlooked in the infiltration of VIP culture and increasingly lavish productions. Yet at Eastenderz, whether it's in London, Ibiza, Barcelona or Amsterdam, the music always comes first, and that hasn't changed since the East End Dubs started the party a decade ago.

The goal then was to provide a platform for veteran artists while nurturing emerging talent, a goal that remains the same today. This year's event features a selection of artists such as Archie Hamilton, Dimmish, Cuartero, Sidney Charles, Cristo Cons, Dr Banana and many others, with a wide range of genres including House, techno, Garage and Breaks. "Music is our passion and has always been at the heart of everything we do," the team explained. "We've been very careful about the artists we invite. We love creating a family-like atmosphere and building deep relationships with our artists."

An iconic symbol that always appears on the dance floor is the deer head, which originated from a "sudden inspiration" when they saw a deer in the park. The deer's head will appear at each carefully selected party, and the first criterion for each venue must be a high-quality sound system. Beyond that, the team believes in "creating an environment where everyone can be included and feel like they're part of the overall experience and our community," and they've certainly done just that in 2024.

 

Best Music Festival:  LOST VILLAGE

A magical forest, fantastic design, secret stage, theatre performers, forest library and Michelin-starred chef. It's like escaping through a mirror into a world so far removed from reality that you lose even the direction of returning to your daily life. Lost Village is a place full of amazing experiences, a magnificent "alternative reality" created by Jay 'Jaymo' Jameson and Andy George that brings unforgettable adventures every year.

The Lincolnshire-based gathering started in 2015 with the idea of creating a "world full of small mazes that change every year", eschewing mainstage culture in favour of "something completely unpredictable and fascinating".

Ten years later, this coming-of-age fairy tale continues to captivate people with its nuanced attention, love of the surreal, and heart-warming cast: Bambii, SHERELLE, Dr Banana, Crazy P, Peach, Ahadadream and Paula Tape are among the names to be featured this year.

Lost Village has the charm of a Mad Hatter tea party forgotten in the sunset, and its influence is so strong that it has won DJ Mag's Best of British Award again. "Festivals and music culture have changed our lives, so it's incredible that Lost Village has touched people's hearts and made them take the time to vote for us," George said of winning the Best Festival of 2024 award.

"Every year there are new corners, secret Spaces, hidden rooms, new stages, new restaurants and unannounced shows," he said of his plans for 2025, "but it's not my style to reveal them."

 

Underground Hero:  JUDY GRIFFITH

Judy Griffith is a woman who needs no introduction, having been an integral part of London nightclub fabric since it opened in 1999, witnessing and driving its success. With her unparalleled energy and unending passion, Judy has helped shape fabric into what it is today.

"I'm in a mixture of shock and gratitude right now, humility, joy and just can't believe it," Griffith said as we congratulated her on winning this year's Underground Hero Award. "I'm still trying to process my nominations with people who are honorable and really amazing; Every one of them is doing important work. For me to win this award means a lot."

Griffith is a constant presence on the dance floor and behind the scenes. As one of fabric's programming directors, she plays a key role in the club's future vision and musical identity, with a talent for spotting emerging artists and supporting them at every stage of their careers.

"From the beginning, fabric's goal has been to give underground artists a platform where they can be seen by a wider audience. A place for emerging artists to stand side by side with veteran artists and still find their shine, "she said. "We want it to be a center where like-minded people gather, dance, create, collaborate and inspire each other to do greater things." I really feel like we did that and more."

Judy is the true embodiment of the fabric spirit and her unwavering commitment is inspiring. "I am very grateful every day for the work I have. I feel so lucky to have worked with so many amazing people and to have been trusted to help them tell their musical stories."

 

Outstanding Contribution Award: DALSTON SUPERSTORE

"Dalston Superstore is not a perfect utopia because we're just flawed people trying to do better," Dan Beaumont, co-founder of Dalston Superstore, explained in a recent interview with DJ Mag. "But I would say that places like Superstore show you that there's another world and another way to exist, another possible queer life. I hope, at our best, we embody that philosophy."

Dalston Superstore was founded in 2009 by Beaumont and Matt Tucker, and in addition to operating as a bar and restaurant, the space has become a gathering place for LGBTQ+ dancers from East London and beyond. In addition to its famous club nights, the venue offers drag shows, cultural and community events, workshops and more to serve its large and loyal clientele.

At a time when it is becoming increasingly difficult to be yourself on the streets in the face of increasing queer phobia in public and political discourse, venues like Dalston Superstore provide a welcoming environment where people can not only express themselves comfortably, but dance with joy, Immerse yourself in company, music and unbridled joy.

"It means a lot to us [to receive the Outstanding Contribution award]," Beaumont said. "We are incredibly proud of all The DJS who have played in our basement, from legends like Honey Dijon and The Blessed Madonna, to London heroes Hannah Holland and Michelle Mannetti, Then there are the rising East London stars like Karlie Marx and ASHTREY.

"Small independent venues like ours are the engine of electronic music in the UK and we need support now more than ever."