Tsuki: “Drum & Bass Has Given Me More Than I Ever Expected”

1 week ago 4

UK DJ, producer, and label head Tsuki stopped by to talk about his deep-rooted love for drum and bass and where he thinks the genre is headed next.

As the original home of drum and bass, the UK has produced a wealth of artists who have made their mark on the genre. Some of the scene’s most iconic and forward-thinking artists call the country home, and Tsuki is adding to that legacy.

Dig into Tsuki’s run in the scene over the past decade, and you’ll get a hearty dose of high energy along the way. His jump-up style has graced several standout imprints, including his own label, Tsunami Records, and has been showcased live at clubs and festivals across the UK and the rest of Europe. At the core of Tsuki’s work is a deep passion for drum and bass, which drips into everything he pushes forward in the scene.

“Drum and bass has given me so much more than I ever expected,” Tsuki shared. “It’s allowed me to express myself creatively, meet incredible people, and build a career doing something I genuinely love. When I first started making music, I never imagined it would become what it has today, so I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities it’s given me.”

I think the community is a massive part of what makes drum and bass so special. There’s a real connection between artists, promoters, and fans, and that shared passion keeps the scene moving forward. For me, it’s always been about more than just the music; it’s the experiences, the energy, and the people you share them with.

Tsuki

Having grown up in the UK, Tsuki’s connection to drum and bass began early, leading him to start his career as a DJ and producer at 17. That foundation shaped his artistic journey. “Drum and bass is such a big part of the culture here, so you’re surrounded by the music, the events, and people who are passionate about it,” he said. “That environment gives you a real understanding of the genre and what connects with a crowd.”

Tsuki said he never imagined his career would become what it is, and that he has always wanted to make music he enjoyed. “I remember playing in Tokyo in 2019 and genuinely struggling to believe I was there because of my own music,” he shared. “That was one of those moments that really put everything into perspective.” Another milestone came more recently, when he closed the main stage at Rampage, one of the most renowned festivals in the genre.

Starting in the UK gave me access to a strong scene and some great opportunities, but ultimately, you still have to put the work in and find your own identity. I’m just grateful for how far the music has taken me.

Tsuki

While Tsuki has grown in drum and bass, the genre has become a global force. To the Tsunami Records boss, it’s in an exciting place, especially as people from different countries bring their energy and influences to its soundscapes. “[The global impact] creates opportunities for new sounds to develop while keeping drum and bass’s foundations alive,” Tsuki said. “Social media and streaming have obviously helped people discover music they might never have come across otherwise, but there’s still something special about experiencing it together in a room.”

“There’s space for [drum and bass] to keep growing, reach new audiences and evolve creatively, and I’m interested to see where that takes it over the next few years,” he continued.

It’s amazing to see how far drum and bass has grown. It has deep roots in UK underground culture, but now connects with people from completely different backgrounds worldwide. That shows how powerful music can be.

Tsuki

Tsuki runs Tsunami Records, but he’s also received plenty of support from other labels in the scene, such as UKF, DnB Allstars, and Crucast, where he dropped his debut album in 2020. Yet, he believes there’s a balance between leaning on label support and carving your own path.

“Labels can play a massive role in helping artists get their music heard, introduce your sound to a much wider audience, and open doors that might otherwise take a lot longer to reach,” Tsuki said about the impact of imprints. “At the same time, I think it’s important to develop your own identity rather than rely entirely on others to build your career.”

Tsuki highlighted continuing to make music, experimenting, and giving people a reason to come back to listen as key to succeeding in the scene. Adaptability is also mission-critical, given how constantly the industry changes.

For me, the best support comes when a label genuinely connects with what you’re doing creatively. It can give you a great platform to grow from, but ultimately, you have to make the most of those opportunities and stay true to yourself as an artist.

Tsuki

Staying true to yourself is a central theme for Tsuki, which was present even as he dabbled in other genres like bassline. He called his trip into that realm a “happy accident” that stemmed from his own love for the genre. While he doesn’t focus on it anymore, he said it pushed him creatively, and he might revisit that era in the future, saying, “I wouldn’t rule anything out.”

“I think it’s important to experiment and make music that you genuinely want to make,” Tsuki continued. “My sound has evolved quite a lot over the years, and I’m starting to revisit some of the sounds that got me into this in the first place. Trying different styles can teach you a lot, and sometimes it brings you back to what you originally loved about making music.”

Over the past decade, Tsuki’s perspective on the genre has also changed. When he started, he wasn’t focused on where his career might take him or the future of drum and bass, but as his involvement grew, so did his desire to help push forward-thinking sounds and keep the scene evolving.

“New artists are bringing fresh ideas, production styles are changing, and the music is reaching people who might never have discovered it years ago,” he said. “At the same time, I don’t think evolving means you always have to chase the next big sound. I’m enjoying revisiting the sounds that inspired me at the beginning while still being open to trying new things.”

I think the future of drum and bass is about finding that balance between pushing things forward and remembering what made you fall in love with the music in the first place.

Tsuki

Tsuki’s own future is looking brighter than ever, too. Having just wrapped up the Ride The Wave project, he’s already thinking about what’s next, aiming to give fans something fresh with new material that revisits some of the elements that inspired him early on.

“There’s plenty being discussed behind the scenes, but I don’t want to give too much away just yet,” Tsuki said. “We’re working on the next thing, and I’m looking forward to sharing more when the time is right. Thank you to everyone who’s supported me along the way.”

Listen to this exclusive mix from Tsuki for the Drum & Bass Devotions series on SoundCloud, and follow his social media channels for upcoming releases and show announcements.