10th April 2025

The Rise of Female Producers in Drum & Bass: Breaking the Bias, Smashing the Sound

For a genre built on rebellion and innovation, drum & bass hasn’t always been the most inclusive when it comes to who gets behind the decks or the DAW. While female MCs, DJs and vocalists have made their mark over the years, the production side has remained stubbornly dominated by men. But things are shifting—and fast.

A new wave of female and non-binary producers are not only claiming space—they’re setting new standards. With fresh sounds, fearless energy and serious technical clout, these artists are breaking through bias not by asking for permission, but by delivering track after track that can’t be ignored.

This isn’t about trends—it’s about craft, consistency, and creativity that speaks for itself.

A Scene in Motion, Not a Moment

Drum & bass has always been a space for rebellion, energy and evolution—but for too long, the production side of the scene skewed overwhelmingly male. That’s not a dig; it’s just a fact. While women have always been part of the story—DJ Storm, Kemistry, DJ Rap, to name a few—the last decade has seen a vital shift. Female producers are stepping up, standing out and changing the sound.

But make no mistake: this isn’t a novelty or a wave. This is hard-won momentum, and the results are undeniable. These artists aren’t just matching the standard—they’re helping to redefine it. Labels are taking notice. Promoters are waking up. And fans are finally being served the wider sonic palette this music deserves.

One of the catalysts behind this shift has been EQ50—a collective founded by industry veterans including DJ Flight, Mantra and Sweetpea. Their mission? Level the playing field, not with tokenism, but with mentorship, visibility and opportunity. And it’s working.

Fighting for the Fader – The Barriers Faced

Even now, the phrase “female producer” can feel like a loaded label. Some artists reject it outright—why should gender precede skill? Others recognise the need for visibility, aware that without naming the imbalance, progress stalls. What they share is the knowledge that being a woman in the studio, on the lineup, or in the inbox of a label still comes with its own set of assumptions.

There’s the subtle stuff—like being offered vocal features when you’re submitting beats. And the not-so-subtle—comments that question your technical credibility purely based on gender. And the structural issues—limited access to networks, fewer role models, and a history of being kept at the periphery of the scene.

The tide is turning—not because of pressure or pity, but because these producers are simply too good to ignore.

Labels, Nights & Collectives Changing the Game

Support doesn’t mean hand-holding. It means access, mentoring, gigs, and gear. That’s where projects like EQ50 and Hospital Records’ Women in DnB Mentorship Programme come in.

EQ50’s label partnership programme with giants like Shogun Audio, RAM, Critical and Spearhead has given rise to a new wave of artists with sharpened tools and broader platforms. Over at Hospital Records, their mentorship scheme provides one-on-one A&R feedback, studio time and music industry workshops for female-identifying and non-binary artists.

Elsewhere, collectives like Sistxrhood are creating safe spaces and challenging line-ups that still read like an all-boys club. Importantly, these aren’t spaces of isolation, but integration—bridges to a more balanced scene, not bubbles on the outside.

The Sound Speaks Louder

You can’t fake a banger—and this new wave is stacked with them. From smoky rollers to raucous ravecore, female producers are pushing boundaries and ignoring genre rules.

Nia Archives is arguably the breakout name of the last few years. Blending jungle’s raw textures with soulful vocals and punk sensibilities, her tracks like Forbidden Feelingz and Baianá bring new eyes and ears to the genre. She’s already won a MOBO and been mentored by Goldie—this is no side story.

Kyrist has long been a force to reckon with. Her catalogue is heavy, techy and uncompromising—exactly the kind of sound system destroyers that get reloads from the likes of Skeptical and DLR.

Sweetpea, a founding member of EQ50, brings an impeccable sense of groove to her productions and sets. Her tunes are built for the heads—minimal, moody, and endlessly mixable.

Charlotte Plank is kicking down genre gates with vocal-led D&B rooted in raw honesty and mental health themes.

Piri, meanwhile, laces sugary hooks around classic breaks, injecting a playful, radio-ready energy into the underground.

Mandidextrous, known for their hybrid blend of jungletek, D&B and ravecore, is a relentless force of nature on the decks and in the studio. High BPMs, high energy, no apologies.

There’s also A Little Sound, who’s become one of the most in-demand vocalists in the scene—but what often gets overlooked is her production game. Tracks like Breathe and Back to Back show she’s not just writing lyrics—she’s building beats.

And don’t sleep on the newcomers: Anaïs with her murky atmospheres and brooding rollers; Lens, bringing a fresh perspective from the Brighton circuit; and Promo ZO, carving her own lane with clean mixes and recent studio moves.

More Than Representation – Building a New Standard

This isn’t just about putting more names on a line-up. It’s about reshaping the ecosystem. When the doors open wider, the whole scene benefits. More voices mean more styles, more stories, more surprises. That’s how genres grow—and drum & bass has always been about growth.

This isn’t a quota to fill. It’s an evolution long overdue—and it’s making the scene stronger in every direction.

A broader range of voices equals a broader range of sounds. More ideas. More innovation. More of what makes drum & bass one of the most dynamic genres on the planet.

But progress doesn’t happen passively. Promoters need to step up. Line-ups need to reflect the audience. And fans? Keep digging, keep listening, and keep supporting those pushing the culture forward.

The future of drum & bass isn’t just male or female—it’s massive, it’s multifaceted, and it’s only getting louder.