4hero

4hero, formed by Mark "Marc Mac" Clair and Denis "Dego" McFarlane in Dollis Hill, London, are pioneers in the evolution of drum and bass, breakbeat hardcore, and broken beat. Emerging in the late 1980s, they founded the influential Reinforced Records label, which became a cornerstone for the early jungle and drum and bass scenes. Their debut album, In Rough Territory, laid the foundation for their experimental sound, followed by the critically acclaimed Parallel Universe, which won NME's Dance Album of the Year in 1995.

In 1998, 4hero released Two Pages on Gilles Peterson’s Talkin’ Loud label. The album, known for blending jazz instrumentation with breakbeats, earned them a Mercury Music Prize nomination and a MOBO Award. Tracks like Mr Kirk's Nightmare and their remix of Black Gold of the Sun remain iconic within the genre.

The duo's influence extends beyond their releases, as they mentored Goldie during the creation of Timeless and played a pivotal role in shaping the Metalheadz sound. Their side projects, including Marc Mac’s Manix and Dego’s Tek 9, further solidified their reputation for innovation and versatility.

Today, 4hero's legacy continues through their ongoing music releases and collaborations, with their impact still felt across drum and bass, broken beat, and electronic music landscapes.