TRUE PLAYAZ
Playaz is an internationally known label that has been around since the birth of Drum and Bass. Playaz is credited to bringing Drum and Bass music out from the underground into a more mainstream audience and is well recognized across the globe with their coloured Ganja Leaf logo.
Playaz was created by DJ Hype, Pascal and Zinc (Ganja Kru) who started their first label under the name True Playaz in 1996 – the same year as Hospital Records. The boys were thrilled to able to produce and share what they love most to the masses. Some of their hits from as early as 1996 are still frequently requested and played even today. You may have heard Peace, Love & Unity and Super Sharp Shooter which are played again and again.
REAL PLAYAZ
A decade later Zinc left True Playaz on good terms, and DJ Hype and Pascal re-launched the label under the name Real Playaz. While the names have changed and Playaz have created additional sub labels such as New Playaz, Ganja Recordings and Frontline Records the heart and soul of all their music is still there.
For a solid five years, Playaz were bringing the music to the people from London nightclub, The End. These five years were great, however DJ Hype and Pascal decided it was more appropriate to move their label and show case their talent to the infamous Fabric nightclub in London. Anyone who knows a thing or two about this place knows that Fabric is THE place for Drum and Bass. Over the years, Fabric has unfortunately caught a bit of controversy and has been shut down and closed numerous times but seems to thankfully re-open at some point. Power to the people!
ARTISTS
Playaz continues establish itself as one of the most reputable DnB labels and regularly signs fresh new artists to carry their brand into the future. Heavy hitters like DJ Hazard with his bangin’ hit singles, ‘Bricks Don’t Roll‘ and ‘It’s a Secret‘.
Another more recently signed artist of Playaz is Sub Zero, bringing the heat with ‘Protection‘ and ‘Oh Girl‘. Annix, Bass Brothers, Decimal Bass, Heist, Jam Thieves, Konichi Lynx, NC-17, Optiv & BTK, Original Sin, Potential Badboy, Prolix, Taxman, and Tyke have all equally earned their place in the PLAYAZ crew. Serious names doing serious business for DnB.
10,000 RAVERS
Playaz really make their mark by having their artists perform across the world month after month. Their roots are English, and so are a good portion of their artists and the events they perform at or host. With almost every event getting sold out, they had close to 10,000 guests at their New Years Eve London event in 2017 at the O2 Academy in Brixton! PLAYAZ featured artists such as Danny Byrd b2b Mollie Collins, Crissy Criss b2b Mampi Swift, Hype b2b Hazard, and My Nu Leng – that night had Drum and Bass heads shuffling all the way up to when the lights came on at closing!
KEEP IT PLAYAZ
All kudos to Playaz, it’s hard to be disappointed with the high-quality artists and bass-heavy sounds this label continues to produce. Their catchphrase (below) is something almost all Drum and Bass enthusiasts could get behind!
For real Drum and Bass, remember to keep it Playaz.