B-b-b-burgaboy!
Producer tags don’t get much more iconic than Burgaboy’s and to bassline fans, he’s one of the most reliable names in the scene. So consistent, in fact, that the Manchester-hailing producer’s tag still triggers a Pavlovian response in ravers. Burga’s decades-long career is synonymous with the bassline scene’s headiest moments, and next to DJ Q, Piddy P, Wittyboy, DJ Murkz, Subzero, TRC and the rest of the sound’s Northern heroes, he helped lead the charge in the second half of the 2000s, spreading the message that it was more than just the second coming of speed garage. Eventually, bassline found its way into the charts and acts like T2 and H ‘Two’ O soon became household names.
Today, bassline still thrives up North thanks to diehard supporters, DJs and producers, particularly in Yorkshire. Its influence can still be heard elsewhere; bassline samples are finding their way into drill and a whole new generation is starting to rediscover the Niche sound. As for Burga, although house music is a bigger influence on him these days, the elastic bounce that made “Dutty Wine” and his impossible-to-find remix of Jagged Edge’s “Walked Out Of Heaven” such rave classics are still as central to his palette as ever.
We hit up Burga Boy to put together a mix for our Complex Sessions series, and he blessed us with a house-leaning set of 4x4 classics old and new. Press play below and enjoy.
Tell us a bit about your selections in this mix.
The selections are an extension of my personal taste, tunes that make me rock every time I play them. Like, I’ll imagine being somewhere like Warehouse in Leeds, and I can see myself vibsin’ in the crowd to every song on there. There’s also a few exclusives from myself. I mean, who doesn’t love something exclusive.
What was the one track you absolutely had to include?
Sammy Virji’s “Quarantine Done”. I heard it a few months back before it was released and I think it’s such a class production.
Any tracks that narrowly missed the cut?
Jack Junior’s “Candy”. I’ve literally played it in every set since 2017, so I just had to leave it off.
What’s the first single or album you ever bought?
It was actually “Till The End of Time” by Tupac. I remember getting some pocket change and thinking it was a good idea. It’s still one of my favourite productions to date, but you’ll more than likely catch me listening to the original sample these days: “Broken Wings” by Mr. Mister. When I started producing, I developed a curiosity for finding samples, and now I listen to a lot of ‘70s and ‘80s music.
What’s the last physical record you bought?
I don’t really buy physical records. I’m not ain’t a vinyl DJ; I did, however, buy Rick Ross’ Richer Than I’ve Ever Been, which is such a solid album—top to bottom. I also got a copy of Kanye West’s Yeezuz recently; I think it’s his most slept-on work.
What do you want to see happen musically over the next 12 months?
I want to see bassline become more noticed. In my opinion, it’s the hip hop of EDM and just look at where hip-hop is. Personally, I’ll be going back to the essence of it that originally got me hooked.
What trend or scene absolutely needs to die right now?
I wish I could give you a better answer, but I literally don’t give attention to things I’m not into.
Tracklist:
1. Burgaboy – An We’re Liver
2. Sean Dean – You Don’t Know
3. Burgaboy – Right Here 2019
4. DaBeatfreaks – Money Calling (Bailey P Mix)
5. Burgaboy vs. Rihanna – Rudeboi V.I.P
6. Sammy Virji – Quarantine Done
7. Burgaboy vs Faith Evans – Home
8. Vamos – Be Afriad V.I.P
9. Thorpey – What You Wanna Do
10. Burgaboy – Doomsday
11. Burgaboy – HAHAHAHA
12. MPH – Control
13. Burgaboy – Story Of My Life
