When you think of pure, sun-soaked drum and bass vibes, one track immediately springs to mind. It’s the record that brought the sound of Brazil to the global stage and turned DJ Marky into a household name.
DJMag recently did a deep dive into the history of ‘LK’ (Carolina Carol Bela), the V Recordings anthem produced alongside XRS and featuring the legendary Stamina MC.
London Calling: The Early Days
Before the charts and the world tours, Marky was a Brazilian DJ making his first pilgrimages to the UK. This was the golden era of the scene, where he found himself rubbing shoulders with titans like Goldie, DJ Hype, and DJ Zinc.
From the dark, sweat-soaked dancefloor of The End to the legendary counter of Blackmarket Records in Soho, Marky was soaking up the culture. But while he was a wizard on the decks, his journey into production wasn’t exactly a smooth ride.
“This Sounds Shit!”
Believe it or not, one of the biggest D&B tracks of all time almost never happened.
Inspired by his roots, Marky started sampling his mother’s Brazilian records, specifically a classic Jorge Ben Jor track. When he first showed his early production efforts to the legendary Marcus Intalex, the feedback was brutal: “This sounds shit!”
Understandably, Marky nearly packed in the production side of things altogether to focus solely on his DJing career. Thankfully for us, the music was too good to stay hidden.
The V Recordings Connection
The track eventually found its way to Bryan Gee and Jumpin Jack Frost, the heads of the powerhouse label V Recordings. Recognizing a hit when they heard one, they signed it in 2002.
At the same time, the instrumental was doing damage in the clubs. began freestyling over the track during Marky’s sets, and the chemistry was undeniable. The decision was made to get into the studio and make the vocal version official, a move that would propel the record from the underground straight into the UK Singles Chart.
From the Underground to Top of the Pops
‘LK’ wasn’t just a club hit; it was a cultural moment. DJ Marky reflects on the surreal experience of taking drum and bass to Top of the Pops, bringing a taste of São Paulo flavor to millions of living rooms across the country.
“It didn’t just change my career; it changed my entire life.”
The track remains a staple in sets today, proving that sometimes, you have to ignore the critics, trust your heritage, and let the music speak for itself.
More Music For You
Have a listen to all the freshest drum & bass on our very own LoveThatBass record label. Our music covers the full spectrum of the jungle / dnb genre with tracks from the likes of Kleu, Waypoint, Exile, AKAS, Jaydan, Georgia Phoenix, Dunk & more!
