Skibadee & Shabba D with DJ Kane | Drum & Bass Classics 1998 | Kool FM 94.5 (London)

Artwork by Take Me Back Pirate Radio Archives. The likes of Shabba D and Shockin’ B had left Weekend Rush FM 92.3 to join Kool FM in 1996 and their presence was felt. Skibadee forged a partnership with them calling themselves the SASAS in 1997. Meanwhile Skiba linked up with MC Det and released their first UK Hip Hop Album 2x Times Freestyle with singles “Downdiggy”, “Slowmo” and “New Style Avengers (1998). The success of these two profile MCs shot them to the top. With the sudden death of Hyper D there was now a vacuum left for competing MCs to challenge for the MC crown. Skibadee and Shabba D raised their game, writing catchy lyrics and increasing their speed. They became some of the most devastating MCs on the mic in DNB at that time and were idolised by MCs from other sub-genre scene to DNB like UK Garage, Grime and Dubstep. Inspiring the likes of MC Stormin, Harry Shotta, D Double E, Skepta, Durrty Goodz and others.
Jungle underwent a transformation to dark techie drums and bass. MCs had now adapted their styles to work with this sound. A new breed of MCs were emerging and DNB was taking off internationally.
Skibadee would join forces with DJ Ruffstuff, Funsta MC and Harry Shotta to form The UNCZ (The Uncontrolabelz) which was the precursor for the SASASAS. Also running rave nights “MC Convention” @The Rex (Stratford) with Shabba D under the name of ‘Highly Blessed’, MCs were drawing in crowds in the thousands.
Skibadee went on to achieve UK chart success and international recognition with his vocal version of “Twist Em Out” by Dillinja, in 2003.
In the years that followed Shabba would set up Highly Blessed Recordings with Skibadee, also running the MC Convention @The Stratford Rex, which gave an opportunity to other up and coming MCs to break through. Shabba D always supported up and coming MCs, he brought through the likes of Maxwell D, Stormin (RIP), Harry Shotta, Grima and many other MCs. He also founded the Rawhill Cru which extended a collective partnership with artists from different musical genres, with likes of Tenor Fly, The Ragga Twins, Navigator, Daddy Freddy, Spyda and Soultrain. They hooked up with German Drum & Bass producers and released tracks like Rawhill Cru – Mo’ Fire (U3R Music, 2002), Rawhill Cru – Helpless (2003). Shabba D was constantly putting in the work and it was by no fluke or coincidence that he formed the formidable SASASAS (Skibadee, Shabba D, Grima, Harry Shotta, Stormin (RIP), Phantasy and Macky G). The SaSaSaS has an established international following with worldwide tours and appearances at famous festivals like: Westfest”, “Rampage”, “Pirate Station Moscow” and “Tomorrowland” (Belgium).

Here’s some of big tunes of 1998: The Ram Trilogy ‎– No Reality / Scanners (Chapter One), The Ram Trilogy ‎– Mind Overload / Intercity (Chapter Two), The Ram Trilogy ‎– Chase Scene / Terminal 1 / No Reality (Remix) / Funkstation (Chapter Three), Trace – Sonar, Dillinja ‎– Hard Noize, Ed Rush & Optical ‎– Medicine, Shy FX ‎– Bambaata, Ed Rush & Optical ‎– Zardoz / Satellites, Die ‎– Clear Skyz, Luniz ‎– I Got 5 On It (Urban Takeover Remix), Vinyl Syndicate ‎– Man Of Steal, Fortran ‎– The End Part II, Ed Rush & Optical ‎– Lifespan / Crisis, BC ‎– The Nine, DJ Hype – Closer To God, Pascal – Reality Of 98 (Shimon Remix), Mampi Swift – 2nd Strike, Pascal – Reality Of 98 (Shimon Remix), DJ Hype – Only One Life (Ganja Kru Remix), Breakbeat Era ‎– Breakbeat Era, Optical ‎– Bounce / The End Part I, Moving Thru Air (Optical Remix), Wish U Had Something (Jonny L Remix), Dom & Roland ‎– Timeframe, Dillinja ‎– Tronik Funk, Adam F ‎– Brand New Funk, Matrix ‎– Mute ’98, Absolute Zero + Subphonics ‎– The Code / Fugitive, Mask – Splurt (Wayz Of The Dragon), Mickey Finn & Aphrodite ‎– Bad Ass (Remixes), Brockie & Ed Solo ‎– Dangerous, Ray Keith ‎– Do It / The Reckoning (Remix), Ed Rush & Optical ‎– Wormhole…

Out to all the London FM pirates of the past. Here’s a list of some of our most loved pirate radio stations in frequency order from 1989-2005:
Flava FM 87.6 / Shine FM 87.9 / Rude FM 88.2 / Impact FM 88.2 / Centreforce FM 88.3 / Unity FM 88.4 / Conflict FM 88.4 / Ice FM 88.4 / London Underground FM 89.4 / Defection FM 89.4 / Raw FM 90.0 / Raw Mission 90.0 / Pure Magic FM 90.2 / Pulse FM 90.6 / Chicago FM 90.6 / Mission FM 90.6 / Y2K FM 90.6 / Rinse FM 91.8 / Passion FM 91.8 / Format FM 92.3 / Weekend Rush FM 92.3 / Kik FM 92.3 / Deja Vu FM 92.3 / Weekend Rush FM 92.5 / Taste FM 92.5 / Stompin’ FM 94.2 / Kool FM 94.5 / Origin FM 95.2 / Rinse FM 97.6 / Flashback FM 97.6 / Cyndicut FM 97.8 / Future FM 99.1 / Upfront FM 99.3 / Rinse FM 100.3 / Pressure FM 100.4 / Don FM 100.5 / Eruption FM 101.3 / Erotic FM 101.3 / Industry FM 101.3 / Freek FM 101.8 / Chillin’ FM 102.9 / Delight FM 103.0 / Flex FM 103.6 / Rude FM 104.3 / Ruud Awakening FM 104.3 / Don FM 105.7 / Girls FM 106.8 / Transmission 1 FM 107.3 / Dream FM 107.6 / Don FM 107.9
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