SHOGUN AUDIO
Drum & Bass Hall of Famer, Friction, has been one of the most highly skilled and iconic names on the scene for a long time. After the early days of perfecting his craft in the 90s and early 00s, he continues to blow away live audiences again and again with his ferocious sets. He’s been featured on hot labels that include Hospital, Valve and True Playaz.
It was in 2004, however, when he established his own label, Shogun Audio, alongside exceptional fellow producer and business partner K-Tee. The label has released countless bangers, while nurturing some remarkable up and coming talent that includes the likes of Alix Perez, Rockwell and Icicle.
THE ORIGINS
Friction, raised in the English southern seaside town of Brighton was busy playing and promoting drum & bass events on the local scene when he met the duo of Stakka and K-Tee, who were already actively releasing records, including several for Andy C’s Ram Records.
As Friction and K-Tee began to collaborate more and more over the next few years, the stage was set for the next step in their artistic and professional evolution. Their very own record label, Shogun Audio was founded in 2004.
THE TALENT
Friction – As well as his formidable live sets and countless releases, Friction continues to represent drum & bass to the fullest, even presenting his own show on UK’s BBC Radio 1.
In 2002 he won the Best Newcomer category at the Drum & Bass Arena Awards and has since been runner up for DJ of the Year three times. He’s explored other dance music genres, collaborating with English chart-topping rapper and songwriter, Example.
Icicle – Exclusively signed to Shogun Audio, Icicle is one of the most technically gifted producers out there, winning the accolade of Mixmag’s Album of the Month Award with his debut LP Under the Ice in 2011.
Alix Perez – Regarded as one of the scene’s true innovators and constantly pushing the boundaries of drum & bass, Belgian born Alix Perez gained real prominence in the community after dropping his ground-breaking album, 1984 back in 2009.
Rockwell – The talented DJ and producer sets himself apart from many peers with an uncanny ability to really switch up the BPM’s during his live sets, giving an extra dimension to his sound. His release, Detroit gained notoriety when it’s bassline was responsible for blowing the speakers of BBC Radio 1’s Zane Lowe, while live on air.
The label is also home to an army of drum & bass talent and heavy hitters, including: Ed:it, Fourward, GLXY, Joe Ford, K-Tee, Pola & Bryson, SP:MC, Spectrasoul, Technimatic and Was A Be.
THE EVOLUTION
More recently, the label has had success with SpectraSoul’s debut album, Delay no More; Alix Perez’s second LP, Croma Chords; Icicle’s Entropy LP and Technimatic’s Desired Paths, which played an integral part of the summer soundtrack for drum & bass lovers during 2014.
Friction and K-Tee’s Back to Your Roots remix of 2007 has become one of the hottest tracks of all time. In 2014 the label celebrated it’s ten years in existence with the release of Friction’s 10 Years of Shogun Audio.
Now, Shogun Audio is as strong as ever. Promoting over 40 nights around the world and a group of respected and talented artists to hand, Shogun Audio continues to be at the very forefront of drum & bass music.