Empress Naima’s strictly vinyl selections are solid and bass-heavy, yet sweet and conscious.

Empress started on Kfm radio back in 2004, and has been involved with several local radio stations since. She has played at festivals such as Prana, Sundaise and Splore as well as many sound system dances and community events.

Empress is passionate about supporting artists and is an advocate for diversity and inclusion in the music scene.

You can catch her every second Wednesday on Base FM’s Peace & Dub show and on the Jafa Mafia Sound System.

Empress says 'Big up the NiceUp crew for keeping Aotearoa Reggae whanau untied and massive thanks for the invitation. I have selected a mix of some of my fave artists that I have enjoyed sharing and promoting in the last few years. Blessings!'

More info: https://www.facebook.com/Empress-Naima-1588915888006630

Empress Naima Mix for NiceUp

Tommy Danger from Scottish sound system collective Mungo's Hi Fi talks to The Groove Thief, ahead of their New Zealand tour.

They discuss new productions and projects, how the crew operates and has evolved, working with authenticity and respect, the upcoming tour, and how Jamaican music and culture has spread around the world. 

Also featuring both classic and fresh Mungo's riddims.

Photo: Bartosz Madejski, www.bartphoto.co.uk

Mungo's Hi Fi Interview with The Groove Thief

Different Drumz Radio

Diverse Pressure - Synthetic Beatz (14,05,24)

Based in Ōtautahi, Aotearoa (Christchurch, New Zealand) Chief Remedy Sound System is the city’s only dedicated reggae sound and one of only a handful throughout the country.

Hand built by owner operator Fat Controller, the sound system was first launched in 2015 and has since been rebuilt, rearranged and tuned to be a solid competitor in the city's sound system scene.

Chief Remedy Sound System is not only backed by a top quality sound but also a top ranking crew. Livity and Heavy Liftah accompany Fat Controller to run bi-monthly sound system dances, going by the name of Pressure Sessions. These sessions are accompanied by a number of special one-off dances scattered throughout the year to fill up the calendar.

The crew also broadcast on international streaming site Real Roots Radio and run monthly takeover shows on the city's long running reggae radio show Dubwize RDU 98.5FM.

The Chief Remedy crew are veterans in the country's reggae scene and come with a traditional yet original style, selecting, juggling and mixing a full spectrum reggae sound, from vintage dub and roots through to the freshest dancehall and future sounds of dub.

More info:
www.facebook.com/ChiefRemedysoundsystem

Chief Remedy Sound System Mix for NiceUp

Here is disc 2 of Renaissance the “Re-Mix” collection by me - Off Meta. This mix has been a real labor of love. Again, I’ve done a track for recreation of the mix using nothing but remixes that I found across the web, on SoundCloud, Bandcamp, & I commissioned through fellow producers along with a few creations of my own. 

Disc 2 was substantially harder to find quality remixes of every track. I connected with a few producers that created 5 completely new versions of tracks, including Let’s Get This Party Started and She Holds the Key, both done by the prolific Ranj Kaler. Blue Amazon gave me his unreleased remix of Fluke - "Slid" now available on his amazing Patreon page.  Rising breakbeat star Matty Wright delivered an updated progressive breaks remix of “Always” by Fishbone Beat that sounds both 90’s classic and modern all at the same time. It may be my favorite remix on disc 2. Veteran, Noel Sanger took the all time classic “Talk to Me” Sasha mix by Hysterix and turned into a modern progressive breaks beauty. Lost Astronaut took on the task of remixing what is arguably the least memorable song from the Disc 2, and turned it into the perfect come-down closing track. 

Finally, like Disc 1, some tracks like MBG “Trance 1” and Funtopia - “Do You Wanna” simply had no remixes, so I created my own edits that I hope are worthy of this mix.  I also used a few remixes from Jamie Rainbow that don’t stray too far from the original but have just a touch of updated flair to make them stand out. 

I appreciate hearing from you old-schoolers who love the original Renaissance like I do. Let me know your thoughts on Disc 2. I’m on to Disc 3 where I’m hoping to big with even more updated remixes of these classics.


1. Fluke - Slid (Minke Boots Remix)
2. Funk Machine - Let’s get the party started - (Ranj Kaler Life of the Party Mix)
3. Fluke Slid - (Blue Amazon Unreleased Secret Mix)
4. Corrado - Trust - (J. Rainbow Bandcamp Edit)
5. MBG Trance 1 - Alkey Warp + Oriental (OFF META Trance In Your Pants Mix)
6. Hysterix - Talk to Me (Noel Sanger's '25 Renaissance Reviso)
7. Annadin - Angel - (J. Rainbow Bandcamp edit)
8. Virtual Mismoplatic - (Chris Cargo / Mr Marvin)
9. Virtual Mismoplastico - (Lee Coombes Back to the Future Mix)
10. Fishbone Beat - Always - (Matty Wright Shaken Not Stirred remix)
11. Grace Not Over Yet - (Framewerk Bandcamp Rewerk)
12. Grace Not Over Yet - (PARKX Remix)
13. Secret Life - (She Holds the Key - Ranj Kaler Locked Out Remix)
14. Funtopia - Do You wanna Know (OFF META Got 4/4 Drumtopia Rework)
15. VFR - Tranceillusion. (Taucher Mix , Off Meta Edit)
16. Kym Mazelle - Was that all it was? (Lost Astronaut Remix)

Renaissance The "Re-mix" Collection - Disc 2

Ranking Riddims 23 on Drop FM  15/03/2025

Welcome to this months show.

This is a full on New Jungle mix,lots of irie Ragga,Reggae and Dub vibes with choooons from Conrad Subs,Pixel,Jah Garvey,DJ Hybrid to name a few.

Having experienced a wonderful Heavyweight Mungos Hi FI set this week,it felt kinda fitting to go all in with the Jungle assault. 
Definitely wind you Subs up for this

Please Enjoy. 🙏🎵🎶🎵❤️

Ranking riddims 24 on Drop FM 09/05/25

Upz famo...welcome along to this months show.
Got a full on assult of Nu Skool Jungle with a good Hint of 1995 flava for ya.
Chooons coming from Lavery,Fez the KId,JDizz,DJ Hybrid and Conrad Subs to name a few amongst a fine array of producers.
Enjoy.... much love

Ranking Riddims 25 on Drop FM  06/06/2025

welcome to this months mix
Nu skool jungle all the way,plenty of Ragga niceness in there.Full spectrum in no particular order.
As always please enjoy.

Ranking Riddims 26  04/07/2025 on Drop FM

Originally from Romford, East London, D`erb has been living in Christchurch, New Zealand since 1994. He has been mixing since 1982, starting with electro and early rap, moving through acid house and all forms of dance sounds, with jungle and drum and bass always being a big part of his musical selection. He has played many clubs, parties and radio shows in both countries.

D`erb has co-hosted the jungle show "Metrobeatz" on Christchurch RDU 98.5FM frequently over the past 26 years and is currently doing a monthly show on Drop FM.

He says, "It's 30 years since I started playing here in New Zealand. I want to give a big thanks to everyone along the way who has checked me in session or listened to any of my recordings. It has been a pleasure to bring the vibes and make people dance. Much love to all the famo!"

More info:
https://soundcloud.com/derb-1

D`erb Jungle Mix for NiceUp

Originally from Romford,East London UK way,now living in Christchurch New Zealand since 1994.
Played numerous clubs,parties etc and radio in both countries.
Been mixing since 1982 starting with Electro and early Rap and moving through Acid House in 1988 and all forms of dance sounds.Jungle and Drum and Bass has always been a big part of my mixing but loving getting back towards my House music/Disco roots.
I presented a live 2 hour show on Saturday nights 10.00 -12.00 AM GMT "House Proud" on www.openhouseradio.co.uk playing a full spectrum of new and classic Deep/Tech  as well as hosting the Jungle show "Metrobeatz"   on Christchurch RDU  98.5FM  frequently over the past 26 yrs.

Currently doing a monthly 2hr  Jungle show on www.dropfm.com and mixing just for fun at home .

Big respect to all clubbers,ravers,punters and listeners for support over the years.


All mixes done using Technics 1200 with original vinyl or Serato Scratch Live

Please feel free to leave any comments here or on my Facebook page

Much love and best wishes to all.
D`erb

Ranking riddims 24 on Drop FM 09/05/25

D`erb

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