Unity Bass: Dub & Jungle Come Together Via Two Pivotal Collectives You Need To Know
Unity Bass returns this March (Credit: Ungku Ibrahim)
Our local bass scene wasn’t built in a day. Before it could thrive, it needed a foundation.
While niche in appeal, the subcultures of reggae and jungle in Singapore have remained robust and resilient through the years, flourishing with the pioneering gumption of crews, Dub Skank’in Hifi Soundsystem and Subvert HQ. Together, they flaunt a collective wisdom that’s forged their respective scenes religiously – DSHS is notably the Lion City’s first independent dub soundsystem (you can read their full story in this feature), while Subvert HQ has been a staunch advocate of jungle and drum & bass since the ’90s, edifying the scene through alpha bookings like John B and DJ Friction.
The reggae and jungle scenes have stood strong in Singapore (Credit: Ungku Ibrahim)
The two scene-sculpters will join forces on 28 March for an event dubbed Unity Bass, a night at The Projector that celebrates everything from dembow rhythms to Amen breaks.
Shunning exclusivity and toxic competitiveness, Unity Bass – which started in back in 2013 – highlights the cohesiveness between the two promoters, one built on mutual respect and a shared love for bass. Firmann Salim, co-founder of DSHS, shares the depth of their relationship, “We've been going to Subvert HQ parties since the late ’90s while Dub Skank’in Hifi has been around since 2010. The way I see it, we are all part of a closely-knit, Singaporean bass music family. In the end, it is all for the love of the music, and supporting each other’s parties and events.”
Firmann Salim AKA Rumshot founded Dub Skank’in Hifi Soundsystem (Credit: Dub Skank’in Hifi)
Those familiar with their genre family tree will know that the tributaries of dub and jungle aren’t distant at all; ever wondered why a Rastafarian emcee rapping over a jungle groove sounds so good? “Jungle came out of the reggae soundsystem culture in the UK,” Firmann affirms. “Artistes like General Levy and Tippa Irie were all reagge artistes that crossed over to jungle and drum & bass. It’s a continuation of the soundsystem culture which started in Jamaica and gained popularity in the UK.”
Zul Othman AKA Zul has been the mastermind behind Subvert HQ since the ‘90s (Credit: Ungku Ibrahim)
Unity Bass will feature a diverse, seasoned lineup that honours the musical spectra of these two cultures, with Rumshot, Submerge, Twinhed, Zul and MC SWTLKR on deck and mic duties. “The aim was always to unite the Singaporean bass music scene,” Firmann elaborates, “only in this way can we make the scene bigger and better. As for this coming event, I think punters will get a solid soundsystem to enjoy the journey from dub to jungle, featuring music from great producers as well as great DJs, all playing in a great venue.”
Scenes from prior editions of Unity Bass (Credit: Balakrishnan VK)
(Credit: Balakrishnan VK)
It’s gonna get fast. It’s gonna get irie. It’s gonna get rumbly.
Dub Skank’in Hifi x Subvert HQ present Unity Bass, 28 March 2020, 10.30pm-2.30am, The Projector, #05-00 Golden Mile Tower, 6001 Beach Road, Singapore 199589. $5 for entry.
