Part 2 focusses businesses – the importance of post-war architecture and council estates in the growth of pirate radio and including Dance 93.0FM, Friends 100.7FM and Eruption FM; The Dungeons, Leyton and record shops including In the Mix, Dance Factory and Togetherness in Leytonstone and Record Village in Walthamstow.

Part 2: Businesses

As part of Newham Heritage Month, the project Crate Digging explores the influence of De Underground Records and its role in the development of UK dance music. The record shop and studio were at 18 Sebert Road, Forest Gate from 1991 until 1996.

In order of appearance the following people talk about the legacy and influence of De Underground: MC Navigator, MC Fats, DJ Hype, DJ Van Waxen formerly known as Wacko, Warlock, DJ Randall, DJ Chef, Anita Bhogal, Uncle 22, Eddie Otchere and MC Rage.

Episode 6. Influence and Legacy

As part of Newham Heritage Month, the project Crate Digging explores the influence of De Underground Records and its role in the development of UK dance music. The record shop and studio were at 18 Sebert Road, Forest Gate from 1991 until 1996.

In order of appearance the following people talk about some of the well-known releases from De Underground labels and successes: Marly Marl, Uncle 22, Paul Romane, Cool Hand Flex, MC Fats, Warlock and DJ Chef.

Episode 5. Releases and success

As part of Newham Heritage Month, the project Crate Digging explores the influence of De Underground Records and its role in the development of UK dance music. The record shop and studio were at 18 Sebert Road, Forest Gate from 1991 until 1996. 

In order of appearance the following people talk about the recording studio at De Underground A-Sides, DJ Van Waxen formerly known as Wacko, DJ Randall, Uncle 22, MC Navigator, DJ Hype, DJ Chef, Marly Marl, Cool Hand Flex, MC Fats and Warlock.

Episode 4. The studio

As part of Newham Heritage Month, the project Crate Digging explores the influence of De Underground Records and its role in the development of UK dance music. The record shop and studio were at 18 Sebert Road, Forest Gate from 1991 until 1996.

In order of appearance the following people talk about the atmosphere at De Underground Anita Bhogal, DJ Randall, Warlock, Marly Marl, Eddie Otchere, DJ Chef, A-Sides, MC Fats, DJ Van Waxen formerly known as Wacko, Sherry Morrison, DJ Skie and MC Navigator.

Episode 3. The shop’s atmosphere

As part of Newham Heritage Month, the project Crate Digging explores the influence of De Underground Records and its role in the development of UK dance music. The record shop and studio were at 18 Sebert Road, Forest Gate from 1991 until 1996.

In order of appearance the following people talk about Forest Gate in the 80s, musical influences and pirate radio: DJ Chef, Marly Marl, MC Rage, MC Fats, Eddie Otchere, Uncle 22 and Cool Hand Flex.

Episode 1. Forest Gate and it’s musical influence

De Underground Records was at 18 Sebert Road, Forest Gate, London. It was both a recording studio and a record shop and operated from 1991 until 1996. 

Owned by Mike De Underground (Michael Aymer), his brother Cool Hand Flex (Peter Aymer), Uncle 22 and DJ Randall, this independent business became one of the cornerstones in the development of the UK hardcore, jungle and drum and bass scene. The wider De Underground family included A-Sides, MC Fats, Marly Marl and Wacko. De Underground became synonymous with this sound and many well-known releases, including Lennie De Ice’s We Are IE Uncle 22’s Six Million Ways to Die, and Cool Hand Flex’s Melody Madness, were associated with the shop and its labels. 

During the time it was open, many of the UK’s jungle and drum and bass DJs, MCs and producers passed through its doors including people like Andy C, Bizzy B, Ellis Dee, Doc Scott, Fabio, Goldie, Grooverider, DJ Hype, Kenny Ken, Richie Montana, Peshay, DJ Rap, Slipmatt, Swan-E, DJ Zinc and many more. 

De Underground Records’ history and story is the history of mainly black working-class young people, and the incredible impact their ingenuity and creative expression had on a national phenomenon, helping to define a new and uniquely British sound and identity. 

Whilst the shop was highly influential and its owners were entrepreneurial creatives, there is little organised history recording their contribution. As part of Newham Heritage Month 2021, the project Crate Digging: The Influence of De Underground Records by Rendezvous Projects, aims to celebrate, share and preserve the cultural history of this Forest Gate institution.

Crate Digging: The Influence of De Underground Records

Explore the audio history of pirate radio and rave culture in Waltham Forest’s former estates. 

Sweet Harmony is a project by Rendezvous Projects, which explores, captures and celebrates an undocumented period of music heritage and youth culture in the London Borough of Waltham Forest from 1989 to 1994.

Founder Mike Stone and DJ Linden C share their memories. 

Dance 93.0 FM
First transmitted in 1989, Dance FM was on air for about two and half years
on 93.0 FM. Mike Stone, Reggie Reg, Rodney T, Justin Murray and Leslie Grant
all ran the station together. It broadcast from various locations in Walthamstow, including Whitebeam Tower, Northwood Tower, Erskine Road and Fleeming Road.

Dance 93.0 FM

Explore the audio history of pirate radio and rave culture in Waltham Forest’s former estates.

Sweet Harmony is a project by Rendezvous Projects, which explores, captures and celebrates an undocumented period of music heritage and youth culture in the London Borough of Waltham Forest from 1989 to 1994.

Here Kiss FM founder Gordon Mac talks about the early days of broadcasting from Ernest Richards Tower, with broadcasts from Jazzie B, Norman Jay, Judge Jules and DJ Red Alert at the time.

Kiss 94.0 FM
For three months in the late 80s Gordon Mac broadcast Kiss from his wife’s flat
on the 15th floor of Ernest Richards Tower, Cambridge Road Estate (Boundary Road), Walthamstow.

Kiss 94.0 FM

Oral History recordings made by Lucy Harrison in 2014, with residents of ex-Warner properties in Waltham Forest.

Neighbours

Living Rooms

Bathrooms

Bentley's, Canning Town

Linden C talks about The Dungeons, Lea Bridge Road, Leyton

Linden C

DJ Dlux talks about The Dungeons, Lea Bridge Road, Leyton

DJ Dlux

DJ Louise talks about The Dungeons, Lea Bridge Road, Leyton

DJ Louise

Nicky Dungeons talks about The Dungeons, Lea Bridge Road, Leyton

Nicky Dungeons

DJ Vicky Edwards talks about The Dungeons, Lea Bridge Road, Leyton

DJ Vicky Edwards

DJ Jack Bass talks about The Dungeons, Lea Bridge Road, Leyton

DJ Jack Bass

Tasha Singh talks about The Dungeons, Lea Bridge Road, Leyton

Tasha Singh

DJ and producer Bizzy B talks about The Dungeons, Lea Bridge Road, Leyton

Bizzy B, Brain Records

Bizzy B & DJ Swift   Format 93.2 FM   September 1993   BREAKBEAT JUNGLE RAVE

Bizzy B   Format FM   August 1993   BREAKBEAT HARDCORE RAVE JUNGLE

Bizzy B & D Lux   Format FM   1993   BREAKBEAT HARDCORE RAVE JUNGLE

Bizzy B & Dlux talking about promos and pressing vinyl

Bizzy B & Dlux talk about early Brain recordings

UNDERGROUND FM 93.2 - DJ DLUX - BIZZY B - TDK - BRAIN RECORDS - ft ASHER MIC &  MC MV 030994

DANCE FM FINAL

FRIENDS FINAL

RAVE FINAL

ERUPTION FINAL

KISS FINAL

Jean Worboyes talks about Lloyd Park

Lightboxes and Lettering

John Whitlock

Barbara Whitlock

Peter Wynn

Les Wynn, the Malvern Press

A Community Interest Company working with creative ways of exploring social history. Currently exploring the music venue history in Newham for 'Sound Waves: Music in Newham'

Rendezvous Projects

Popular tracks