Back once again, this time during the brand’s 25th year anniversary, the one and only Drum&BassArena Awards helped us celebrate a year in which the world has allowed us to return to what our scene does best – raving. Hosted once again by Jenna G and UKF editor Dave Jenkins, this year’s awards saw familiar faces returning to collect accolades, as well as dishing out its fair share of surprise winners too. 

Highlight followed highlight during last night’s show. Dom Whiting, who was relatively unknown this time a year ago, picked up the Best Newcomer, whilst his Drum & Bass on the Bike series won the Best Stream award. Sub Focus picked up his first solo award, and this year’s Best Album, now the second year running a remix album has won the award, Dimension‘s psytrance/drum and bass hybrid remix of the latter’s iconic Timewarp won the Best Remix award. 

In less surprising, but by no means undeserved fashion: A.M.C picked up his third consecutive Best DJ award, Inja picked up Best MC for the fourth time in as many years, Camo & Krooked won three awards (two with Mefjus) and announced the launch of their new label with Mefjus in 2022, and the ever formidable Hospital Records won Best Festival with Hospitality in the Woods, Best Club Night with Hospitality, not to forget them winning Best Label for the 10th year in a row. Shoutout to Born On Road who came an awesome second in Best Label. 

Onyx Recordings picked up the Best Newcomer Label award, with label boss Chris Wickens admitting in this interview that he always votes for Overview, who came third place this year. Notably, 8 out of the 10 labels in this category are all DIY indie labels and not run by big established acts (big up to Invicta for finishing 2nd as well). We saw some great interviews unfold with both DJ Mantra and DJ SS, who picked up the coveted Critics’ Choice award and were admitted to the Hall of Fame respectively, and other interesting stories emerged as the Best Newcomer category had its most international rollcall ever and Tonn Piper was finally nominated for Best MC. 

Although results will forever be disagreed about, just remember that’s the beauty of these awards. We are blessed with such a beautifully eclectic and ever-changing drum and bass landscape because artists, promoters, ravers, and everyone else is always pushing this music forward. Even though no awards could ever capture all of the sheer diversity, the Drum&BassArena Awards undoubtedly shines the light on us as much of our wonderful scene as possible. 

Watch the whole ceremony and read the full results below…

A.M.C

Andy C

Camo & Krooked

Camo & Krooked

Dimension

Alix Perez

Inja

Dynamite MC

Eksman

Charlotte Haining

A Little Sound

Katie Koven

Dom Whiting

The Caracal Project

Lee Mvtthews

Hospitality

Rumble in the Jungle

Noisia Invites

Hospitality In The Woods

Let It Roll: Save the Rave

Rampage

Sub Focus – Reworks I

Dimension – Organ

A.M.C – VOID LP

Hospital Records

Born on Road

1985 Music

Onyx Recordings

Invicta Audio

Overview Music

Mefjus & Camo & Krooked – Sientelo

Alix Perez – Burning Babylon

K Motionz – High Note (ft. Emily Makis)

Sub Focus – Timewarp (Dimension Remix)

Kings Of The Rollers ft. Chimpo – Shella (Halogenix Remix)

Sub Focus – Last Jungle (Camo & Krooked & Mefjus Remix)

Dom Whiting – Drum & Bass On The Bike

Alix Perez – Keep Hush Live Christchurch: 1985 Music Takeover

A.M.C – Digging Deep – Liquid Classics

Mefjus & Camo & Krooked – Sientelo

Sub Focus – Reworks I

Pola & Bryson – Beneath the Surface

DJ SS

Mantra