Benny Page is a name synonymous with UK jungle and DnB. He’s been at the forefront of the underground movement for nearly two decades, carving out a legacy with hard-hitting productions, massive collaborations, and his label, Dub Shotta. On 28th February, he brings his Dub Shotta Soundsystem to Camden Assembly for an intimate yet high-energy showcase featuring himself, Doktor, DJ Brockie, DJ Nay, and MC Sye. Grab your tickets here.
We caught up with Benny to talk about the event, his label, and what’s next for Dub Shotta.
Dub Shotta: A Platform for Pure Creativity
Benny founded Dub Shotta in 2017 as a way to release music on his own terms. “It was originally a place for me to start releasing my own material without any influence from other labels or management, giving me complete freedom on style and to be myself as an artist,” he says. “Eventually, it was only fit to start releasing other artists on the label.”
Since then, Dub Shotta has become a breeding ground for fresh talent. “So far, it’s been great to showcase a lot of new artists on the label such as Zapya, Rendah, Jenks, and Wigman, to name a few, and give them a stepping stone into the scene,” Benny explains. “We also had an EP from Basstripper, which was one of his first-ever releases.”
Benny also works closely with Doktor, the voice behind the hit ‘Rudeboy’ with Sigma, and jungle legend MC Spyda, who has collaborated with some of the biggest names in DnB.
New Release: ‘Street Lights’ with Doktor
Benny and Doktor’s latest track, ‘Street Lights,’ is set to drop on 28th February, coinciding with the Dub Shotta takeover at Camden Assembly. “Recently, we decided that we would start to compile an LP as we already had a lot of tracks sitting around,” Benny tells us. “I gave Doktor a beat which had the vocal from ‘Golden Hen’ by Tenor Saw on it, and he ran with it, flipped it, and now we have ‘Street Lights.’”
The track merges Doktor’s signature dancehall style with Benny’s razor-sharp DnB production. “The track talks about the streets and being streetwise, and his dancehall flavour really connects with the DnB I want to make, so we make a good combo,” he adds. The full release lands on 28th February, with an official video dropping on 2nd March via DNB Allstars’ YouTube channel.
The Camden Assembly Takeover
Dub Shotta Soundsystem’s Camden Assembly event promises a heavyweight lineup. “Doktor and myself will be on at midnight, followed by label manager DJ Nay, which will be hosted by Dub Shotta mic man MC Sye,” Benny reveals. “Our special guest for the night is none other than London’s finest DJ Brockie.”
A night of unfiltered jungle and DnB, direct from the source, is guaranteed.
Curating Dub Shotta’s Sound
When it comes to signing music, Benny keeps it simple: “First and foremost, the music has to hit you. I used to ask myself, would I play that track in my set? If yes, then it’s a no-brainer.”
However, things have changed. “Nowadays, you have to look at other assets like social media. I like artists who are hungry and want to get themselves out there and don’t just hide in the background,” he says. “Having said that, it can be different for lyricists and producers.”
Standout Releases and Label Highlights
One of Dub Shotta’s biggest successes has been ‘Trenches’ by Benny and Doktor. “It grew organically on Spotify, made the Massive DNB playlist, and has since been used on an advert in the US,” Benny notes. “The crowd always gives me a big forward when I drop that one, so there’s a proud producer moment there!”
And his personal favourite? “‘Walk Like A Junglist’ with MC Spyda,” he says. “I had probably tried around five different versions over a few years, and when I listen to it back now, it still excites me.”
The Future of Dub Shotta
Benny is always on the lookout for new influences. “Jungle Cakes, Sofa Sound, and DnB Allstars bring something different and push the sound to the next level,” he says.
As for the future? “We have releases in the pipeline from Brian Brainstorm, L Plus, Wigman, and the Benny Page & Doktor LP dropping in autumn,” he reveals. “We also have a great release on our sister label Shottaz Yard at the end of March – ‘Go Getter’ featuring Killa P (Benny Page Remix).”
Advice for Artists and Label Bosses
Benny has plenty of wisdom for upcoming producers and label heads. “Never give up,” he says. “It could all happen overnight, but most of the time, it takes a long time to get your sound right, and you will probably get knocked back a few times. It’s important to take your time.”
And for label bosses? “Having an open mind is important. If I won’t play something in my DJ set, that doesn’t mean someone else wouldn’t. Also, being able to relate to an artist – it’s important to give them good A&R advice but also let them keep their vision without over-producing them.”
With Dub Shotta growing stronger by the day and the Camden Assembly event just around the corner, Benny Page is proving why he remains a dominant force in jungle and DnB. Don’t miss this one.
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