This time on JDNB’s “5 Minutes With”, we're catching up with a proper member of the family- That Dubplate Kid!

Known around the scene for putting on nights, supporting the music and being part of the JDNB community, we wanted to find out a bit more about the man behind the events, what he's been up to lately, and, of course, what tunes are getting him moving!

1. First things first - for anyone who doesn't know you, who is That Dubplate Kid and how did you get involved in the D&B scene?

Some people call me TDK. Some call me That Dubplate Kid. But I've been called worse most of the time!

I have been raving since the mid-90s (when I wasn't quite legal), sneaking into Bagleys after befriending a kind group of ravers who took it upon themselves to shepherd us into our first big rave, as we were notably nervous. Only for them to get chucked out, and we were ushered into the madness quickly.

I've been making music ever since under different guises: DJ EPIDEMIC & BREAKBEAT JUNKIE.

Not until I moved to Glastonbury after COVID did I think about seriously having a go again. More the fact the government said we couldn't dance anymore, and I took GREAT OFFENCE.

For the first time in a quiet Somerset village, I could hear my own thoughts, and my mind was racing.

I sketched early designs for the logo and outlined plans for a 90s-themed festival. With the support of Lady Lu, Nightmare, Bulletz and affiliates, ONE LOVE PROMOTIONS was born.

What originally got you into drum & bass, and do you remember the first tune or artist that really hooked you?

For me personally, it's always been the fusion of different sounds and experimental dark sonics. The 1st real movement I was old enough to be part of.

My introduction to the rave scene was with a commercial compilation, 'Rave 92', which led me down the path of Prodigy [XL Recordings], then Smart E's [Suburban Base]. That was really pre-DnB, but I stuck firmly with those two labels ever since, and it led me to my 1st successful hunt (in the end).

After hearing Marvellous Cain's 'Hitman' at Notting Hill Carnival, I set out to find this tune. I'd already sourced a few sketchy recordings of recordings, but this one had to land on my newly acquired belt drives!

Needless to say, I have a soft spot for that track, any remixes or brilliant use of the sample.

You've been putting on nights down South — how did the promoting side of things start for you?

We just celebrated 5 years of One Love Promotions. 5 years of graft in the South West, making a name for ourselves, slowly clawing up from back rooms and skittle alleys to bigger and better venues and lineups. I've always been able to sell something I believe in, and music has been a monumental part of my life and saviour, so I began booking South West free party and old skool legends and had lofty ideas of bringing the 92 spirit back!

How are the nights going at the moment? What have you got coming up that you're particularly excited about?

I'll be brutally honest. The grassroots underground events are really suffering from what we've seen on our travels. It's extremely hard to compete with big corporations and bigger money, so it's evident in some of the crowds. I am pleased to report the underground is very much alive and kicking back with collectives, crews and alliances, so hopefully we can balance the big/little events a bit more so there's enough for most to eat. So there's hope.

I have a studio performance with a London jungle legend I'm most excited about. I can't talk much on it yet, but it's cool, man. Really cool.

We have a big show planned for Bristol in January 2027 with very special international guests, 2 birthday sets and 3 jungle brands. Much care and love has gone into the planning and logistics of this one. Watch this space.

What's been your favourite event you've put on so far, and is there a particular moment from one of your nights that you'll never forget?

My favourite night we've put on has to be 4 years of One Love at the Redbrick Building, Glastonbury. The last event there, sadly. Lovely art space, the best crowd, 10/10 vibes and energy from start to finish, and we achieved our first round of 5-star Skiddle reviews.

A moment I'll never forget is the 1st time I roped Nicky Blackmarket in to play for us.

The beginning of a 5-year relationship that's pulled us through the tougher parts of the season.

He rocks up to the venue, and us being the ragtag bunch of pirates that we are, offered Sir Nicholas a Denon controller to play on. His stick didn't work, so he had to work off mine and proceeded to smack it up and down with my classic V Recordings and Bad Company late 90s and 00s classics, and he played a set that people still talk about!

I was just buzzing to have played a small part in that vibe and made sure the dance went on.

Promoting isn't always easy — what's the biggest challenge you've found when putting a D&B night together?

The biggest challenge, I feel, is maintaining good value for money ticket-wise whilst being able to be paid for your time, expense and effort. It's a fine art I continue to perfect till this day.

Finding a balance between enough of a draw to warrant people coming out and spending their hard-earned cash and a profitable passion project in these times is the greatest challenge of all!

What makes a really good D&B night for you? Is it the venue, the DJs, the crowd, the atmosphere… or a combination of everything?

I've been to 500 cap events 1500 cap events and 10,000 cap events. For me personally the super huge ones are a bit too impersonal I much prefer an intimate sweaty gig where you can really reach your audience.  That is key. Then. Then the vibes can thrive. It could be 100 people it don't matter at all. Lastly the DJ. Doesn't have to be a headliner but MUST be proficient in reading the energy of the room at a seconds notice, nerves of steel and deep crates. Then you got a party!

Let's get into the important stuff - what are your three favourite D&B tunes of all time? And why those three?

Marvellous Cain – Hitman

Purely because of the memories it unlocks every time I hear it, transported to the 90s and remembering pounding the streets of the Thames Valley to find my copy.

Dream Team – Stamina

Captures the time and mood perfectly, and choppy breaks and reggae hook HAD ME from day one.

Benny V & Plasmator – Dreamskelter/Don't Give Up

A fairly recent tune that's stayed in my setlist since promo. It captures the spirit of rave, nods to hardcore/jungle tek that lights up every set and venue for me without fail, and is a good example of a track that represents the fusion of sounds and styles in my sets.

There's too many to add to the list. I had to stop and give it so much thought, and a nod to Suburban Base's continued contributions.

What's currently in your bag that you're rinsing at the moment? Give us a couple of tunes that are guaranteed to get a reaction!

Narna – Shootah

Has never left my crate, not once! The Nokia ringtone intro has been so much fun to cut, play about with and slam into sets, and is always a welcome surprise and core memory download.

Quest – Let's Get Raw

Well, firstly, it's Quest, but secondly, this one grabs you instantly and proceeds to throttle you with such vigour, and can easily slide along and complement a neuro-style set or make a jungle/DnB set absolute fire with the correct blend. Absolute joy.

Dread MC, Bruk – Dr Dread

Never fails to move me. I don't think I'll ever get bored of playing it on radio and out out.

Are you more of an old-school jungle head, a rolling D&B lover, a jump-up fan, or do you just love anything that makes the dancefloor move?

ENERGY! If it has the right energy and elements, it could be amen jungle or brand new born on road. I know what moves me and what moves a crowd, and it doesn't have to be put in a box if done authentically and with love.

Is there a DJ or MC you've always wanted to book for one of your nights but haven't managed to get yet?

I've been quite lucky forging relationships with my idols and worked with a few, but I mean, me and my right hand, BULLETZ, while brainstorming for one of the Onset of Bass nights, one name came up, and FREQUENTLY, was of course RANDALL. I studied his style of blends and storytelling, and it is a huge part of my sound.

R.I.P. Too Hot to Handle.

In my head, a dream would be a b2b with DJ Hype, with GQ, Flux and Navigator on mic duties. (You can't deny that wouldn't go off!)

You've become part of the JDNB family - what does being part of a community like this mean to you?

I am so grateful to this group for giving that little bit extra exposure that pushed me on my design and promo skills. Met so many great artists, friends and colleagues. I never really feel like I belong anywhere, all my life. But I have a home here, and the group is so supportive. In a time where it has been difficult to find a venue home for my music, I at least know One Love has somewhere to express herself and be seen!

What's the best thing about the people you've met through D&B and the rave scene?

Some of the realest ones I've ever met were because of DnB. Lifelong friends and stage buddies that follow and support each other all over the world. More support than most family. Ever blessed for what Drum and Bass has given me. A family of like-minded mad ones.

When you're not promoting, partying or talking D&B, what does That Dubplate Kid get up to? What would surprise people about you?

Metal detecting and ancient stone bothering! Lol! It started with the Goonies. The promise of jewels and treasure as a kid has stuck with me. No gold and diamonds yet, but we have found an 18th-century square nail (more barnacle than square nail). I find just simply walking in nature, preferably by a beach, quietens the noise in my head and allows me to ground and gives me the right headspace to create.

Finally, what's next? What can the JDNB family look forward to from you over the next few months - and is there anyone you'd like to give a big shout-out to?

Firstly id like to shout out the collective: Lady Lu, Bulletz, Kali Mist, Costly Kover, Quantize, Connor C, J Bigz, Swampman, Volition, Hey Nookie, Sefkobra, D.M.E, Skimatik, Siotik, Fader 

They all work tirelessly independently as a collective or b2b and with their own projects  they deserve props. This ting cant run without their spark, support and input.

Got a few Glastonbury shows coming up leading us to the new year but one we do have in the pipeline is a big Bristol Night in January a double birthday celebration J Bigz and Lady Lu. we have international guests flying in and a 3 brand link up Jungle and jump up. It's gonna be so dope I can't speak much on it but as soon as i can please believe me the group will be first informed! 

Long Live JDNB Family. 

Love and Respect.

TDK