Over the past few years, Birminghams MC B-Line has been making a name for himself with his high energy flow on sets with the likes of Macky Gee, as well as his making waves with his own music. More recently B-Line, has well deservedly, been crowned as ‘Best Newcomer MC’ in the Love That Bass Drum & Bass Ravers Selection Awards, and his ascendancy is still on the rise!
To celebrate his win, we caught up with B-Line to get an insight into his music and what we can expect next from him…
First up, congrats on winning the D&B Ravers Selection Award for Best Newcomer MC. How did you feel when you found out you’d won and how did you celebrate?
As a newcomer I was buzzing to win the award – Fully grateful and never imagined I would win something like this. I celebrated with a couple beers that night that’s for sure!
Let’s take it back, how did you first get into drum & bass and MCing?
I started on bassline as to where the name comes from. My sister used to buy me the Pure Bassline CD’s back in the day when she used to go raving. I was obsessed with the culture from there. I made the move to drum & bass about 6 years ago and it went from there
Who are your biggest influences when it comes to MCing?
Biggest influences have to be Spyda, Eksman, Evil B and Fatman D. I always listened to them growing up, and as I’ve paved my own journey in the scene – These guys have always gave me opportunities, and always gave me feedback on my career
We get the impression the whole of Birmingham, your hometown, voted for you in the awards! How is the D&B scene Brum at the moment?
I’m not even being biased, but Birmingham is popping right now! Brands like DnB Collective, Selecta, Duck DNB, all Brum based and shelling raves!
Influences & Highlights
Aside from yourself, which other newer artists from the area would you recommend us to check out?
The youngest Birmingham based don that I’m watching right now is Burksey. Sick MC with a bright future! DJ’s C3, Jaybee, Ambz, RXNO, Lankz, Blakez, and Ceeza all spring to mind – They’re seriously grinding, and I can see some of them, if not all of them making it into DNB full time
What venues in Birmingham are the most special to you?
Lab 11 is the family. XOYO is also the spot. The new Forum is heavy!! How could I forget Amusement 13? The best venue Brum ever once had in my opinion – Raves were on lock there!
Let’s get back onto your career… You’ve had a busy festival season over the summer, what were some of your highlights?
Festival season was wicked! Music Barn is always a serious festival that goes off. Bassfest was defo the biggest highlight! It was a crazy set literally people for as far as I could see. Rampage in Belgium was also sick with Toxinate and Master Error – won’t forget that one!
Can you tell us about some of your most memorable sets throughout your career so far?
Boomtown was a crazy weekend of sets – Had some amazing sets while I’ve been there.
Ayia Napa for stay up late was one I’ll also never forget. My first Belgium show in 2022 was a huge one, and how could I forget the mighty invasion?! Invasion never misses big up the DnB Collective family!
“I Thrive In That Environment!”
Which DJ’s do you love spitting over the most? And if you could jump on a set, with any DJ, who would you choose?
Macky Gee sets are unreal. Upbeat and uptempo, they really put me in the deep end sometimes but I thrive in that environment! Love running sets with Amplify and Logan D too! Heavy tunes that keep you on your toes for the whole hour!
If I could jump on with any DJ, then Particle would be a 100% for me. I’ve always been a fan of minimal D&B sound and would love to host one of them.
You were invited to tour with Devilman a couple of years back, how was that experience? Also we notice that you’re linking with Macky Gee on his upcoming tour!
It was sick to go on tour with Devs! That was my first big tour experience, I made sick connections and still speak with devs to this day… Badman! The whole of the Macky Gee Phases tour is just about to start and I’m buzzing for that, big up Macky man!
Aside from Devilman, What other MCs do you love doing sets with?
Gotta be Weeji, Dreps, Carasel, Steev, Illa. I been family with Steev and Illa for years when we were Nuff Smoke, so compliment each other so good on a set. Weeji and me have ran up a few in recent years and the energy don’t miss… My brudda! Carasel and Dreps have both been part of my birthday sets, and when I say I placed myself in the deep end again I mean it, these man don’t miss… And I enjoyed every bit of it!
Obviously you’ve just won in our awards, what can you tell us about the ‘Battle Of The Barn’ competition that you’re involved with?
Battle Of The Barn is a chance for 6 future MC’s and 6 future DJ’s to showcase their talents to a board of sick artists, in the hope of winning a slot on my birthday bash. Gassed for this to go ahead!
B-Line Music
Finally, let’s talk about your music. Over the past few years, you’ve brought out loads of tunes, what do you put your prolific output of music down to?
I felt like I was always slacking on the release side of things and felt like I needed to be doing all aspects of drum and bass not just shows not just streaming music but all of it. About a year ago I took it upon myself to release every month to boost my streams as I had tonnes of music I was sitting on.
You must have been pleased with the reaction your last tune ‘Side On’ got?
Yeah, my Mardy Pt.2 release and Side on both did wicked. Gotta give big ups to Weejii, Steev, Isometrik, Mystik and Burksey. All talented mc’s that jumped on the tracks and duppied them! Feeding mc culture is what we aim to do
While You’re Here…
Enjoying all the free D&B content we publish on LoveThatBass? Then why not support by buying some exclusive LoveThatBass merchandise or one of our label releases? All profits go directly towards the running & maintenance of this site so we can continue doing what we do
