Label of the decade - Hyperdub

Perhaps an indication of one of the albums of the last ten years, no label has been as influential yet stayed true to its roots as Hyperdub.


Hyperdub, formed in 2004 by University lecturer Steve Goodman is of course a south London dubstep label, credited as being one of the first labels to introduce the dubstep soud to the commercial markets. In 2004, the London music scene was still reeling from the crash of garage and 2step music, a scene that left london MC's and producers with little say in a music industry that was distancing itself from the violence and drugs that had inevitably accompanied the scene when it errupted in the late 90s.


Beginning with the release of his alter-ego Kode9, it wasn't until 2005 when Hyperdub made a serious splash. In May 2005, Burila released his first EP, the South London Boroughs EP, shortly followed by Kode9 + The Spaceape single, Kingstown. Kode9 + The Spaceape were to form a stunning partnership, dark and brooding beats coupled with low jamaican grumbles, the likes of which had rarely been heard. They provided an alternative to Aphex Twin and Squarepusher in the IDM field, proving that electronic music was valuable beyond dreamy synths and harsh beats.

However, it was in Burial that Hyperdub hit it's goldmine. With the 2006 debut album winning numerous accolades for it's atmospheric representation of South London, creating music that was clearly referencing the defunct garage scenes as if speaking about them at a funeral. The words were chopped up and fading, the beats there but only just, a fading memory. Hyperdub's output continued with limited run EPs from new artists, fitting the hyperdub mould.

However, it's biggest achievement was the release of Burial's seminal 2007 album Untrue. This truly was an album like no other, an album that sounded like no other, evoked emotions through souds and production, using words in an unconventioal way to further the effects.
It was drenched in reverb, in a distance and disconnection from the listener.
It was simply perfect.

Hyperdub did not stop there however, releasing more interesting and challenging music, from Darkstar's more melodic dubstep through to the emerging King Midas Sound. This culminated in the 5 years of Hyperdub collection released earlier this year. Debuting new material from its roster as well as putting classic releases onto CD for the first time, it became startlingly clear that Hyperdub were at the forefront 5 years ago and have not let up.

Though many record labels such as 4AD give artists a home that would fit nowhere else, Hyperdub has carved its own niche in the market, maintaining a theme within it's artists whilst releasing some of the most challenging and intelligent electronic music of the last decade.

Long may they continue