Ill-Ill... Blu-Blu... We all know the call sign of this DJ and production duo by now.
Beginning with some truly iconic UK funky productions in the early 2010s, the pair have since carved out a formidable reputation for crafting bangers in just about every style and sound. From house to bass music and hip-hop, whatever your tastes there should be at least one iLL BLU production in your playlist.
Production aside, they are of course masters on the decks too. Whether it's sweatbox clubs in the UK or pearly white Ibiza beaches, they're more than a dab hand when it comes to ramping up the energy and keeping your feet moving hour after hour. In recognition of that fact, we called on James and Darius to bestow some of that magic on us. As ever, it's definitely a mix for the clubs, never once letting the energy levels dip, but it's also a rap-focused affair with some prime cuts from MoStack, Mist, Lady Leshurr, Fredo, Young T & Bugsey, and even Dr. Dre.
Not only that, but you'll also be pleased to hear the inclusion of their massive recent hit, "Chop My Money", with Krept & Konan, Zie Zie and Loski. Get stuck in below.
Tell us a bit about your selections in this mix.
James: This mix is a fusion of some of the classics we've grown up on through the current favourites of ours.
What was the one track you absolutely had to include?
James: "Chop My Money", obviously [laughs].
Any tracks that narrowly missed the cut?
James: Dave and Fredo's "Funky Friday". It's an absolute banger, but we just couldn't fit it in with the bpm flow of the rest of the mix.
What's the first single or album you ever bought?
Darius: That I can remember it would have to be 2Pac's Makavelli album.
James: I didn't buy much, as I used to listen to a lot of tunes on the radio and make my own tapes, but I think it was probably 2Pac All Eyes On Me and SWV's first album from HMV.
What's the last physical record you bought?
Darius: If we want to go deep, I think it would have been Geeneus and Katy B's "Emotions", or something around that era. This was just before I tarted using CDJs.
James: The last physical record I bought was Drake's Thank Me Later.
What do you want to see happen musically over the next 12 months?
James: We would like to see even more growth in the scene, big songs with producers and artists pushing more boundaries, sonically.
What trend or scene absolutely needs to die right now?
Darius: The sheep trend needs to die, that 'if you know, you know' kind of trend. And marimba—we need a break from that in productions now.
Tracklist
1. Calvin Harris - Slide
2. Ill Blu - Chop My Money f/ Krept N Konan, Zie Zie & Loski
3. Fredo f/ Young T & Bugsey - Ay Caramba
4. Nicky Jam X Steve Aoki - Jaleo
5. Lady Leshurr - Black Madonna f/ Mr. Eazi
6. Afro B - Drogba
7. Donae'o - Chalice f/ Belly
8. Noreaga - Nothin
9. Kenny Allstar - Tracksuit Love f/ Headie One
10. Mist - Zeze Freestyle
11. Dr. Dre - Still Dre
12. Young T & Bugsey - Greenlight
13. Hardy Caprio - Best Life f/ One Acen
14. MoStack - Litness
15. MoStack - Let It Ring
16. MoStack - Liar
