Episode 30: How A Girl From Jordan Became A Drum & Bass Artist | Ayah Marah

Episode 30: How A Girl From Jordan Became A Drum & Bass Artist | Ayah Marah

Fokus sits down with Ayah Marar for a candid conversation about her journey from growing up in Jordan to becoming one of the UK's most respected voices in drum and bass. Ayah reflects on her early musical influences, breaking into the scene, and the pivotal moments that shaped her career as an MC, singer, songwriter, and artist. The conversation explores the culture and evolution of MCing in electronic music, the challenges of navigating a male-dominated industry, and the lessons she's learned from artist management and career development. Ayah also shares stories from her work with major artists, including Calvin Harris, and offers valuable advice for emerging artists looking to build sustainable careers in music. They also discuss music production, publishing, licensing, the impact of AI on creativity, and why supporting grassroots music culture remains more important than ever. 🔥 In This Episode * 🎤 Ayah Marar's journey into drum and bass * 🎶 The history and role of MCs in electronic music * 💪 Breaking barriers as a woman in the scene * 📈 Artist management and industry lessons * 🌟 Discovering and supporting emerging talent * 🎛️ Music production, publishing, and licensing * 🤖 AI's impact on the future of music * 🚀 Advice for aspiring artists and creatives * 🌱 The importance of grassroots culture and community support A thoughtful and inspiring conversation packed with insights for music fans, artists, and anyone interested in the realities of building a lasting career in the music industry. 🎤 Connect with Ayah Marar 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ayahmarar/ [https://www.instagram.com/ayahmarar/] 📘 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AyahMarar/ [https://www.facebook.com/AyahMarar/] 🌐 Website https://ayahmarar.co.uk/ [https://ayahmarar.co.uk/] 👇 Tap below to watch, listen and follow 🎧 Listen * Podbean: https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com [https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/16ZUeZQGwA8oSvJPZCpgAd [https://open.spotify.com/show/16ZUeZQGwA8oSvJPZCpgAd] * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mic-minded-people-the-podcast/id1804623810 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mic-minded-people-the-podcast/id1804623810] 📺 Watch * YouTube: https://youtube.com/@micmindedpeople [https://youtube.com/@micmindedpeople] 📱 Follow on Instagram * 🎙️ Mic Minded People: https://instagram.com/micmindedpeople [https://instagram.com/micmindedpeople] * 🎤 Fokus: https://instagram.com/mcfokus [https://instagram.com/mcfokus] ❤️ For the love of MCs — the culture, the craft, the conversation. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves MC culture, creativity and real conversations.

Episode 29: JoSoSick - Grime Roots, Creative Growth & Pushing Boundaries

JoSoSick joins Fokus for a deep conversation on UK underground music, South London culture, pirate radio, and building a career independently without following trends. They talk grime roots, DIY hustle, clashes, live shows, and how Jo evolved his sound into drum & bass, melodic styles, and genre-blending experimentation - all while staying authentic in a fast-changing scene. The episode dives into the grassroots side of UK music culture, highlighting the importance of community, independence, and staying true to yourself as an artist. A must-watch for anyone interested in underground music, creative growth, and pushing creative boundaries. ⏱️ Topics include: * South London & pirate radio culture * Grime clashes and underground sets * DIY videos, branding & independence * Genre-blending and musical evolution * Mental health, authenticity & longevity * Building community in the underground scene 👇 Tap below to watch, listen and follow: 🎧 Listen: Podbean: https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com [https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com/]Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/16ZUeZQGwA8oSvJPZCpgAd [https://open.spotify.com/show/16ZUeZQGwA8oSvJPZCpgAd]Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mic-minded-people-the-podcast/id1804623810 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mic-minded-people-the-podcast/id1804623810] 📺 Watch: https://youtube.com/@micmindedpeople [https://youtube.com/@micmindedpeople] 📱 Follow on Instagram: 🎙️ Mic Minded People — https://instagram.com/micmindedpeople [https://instagram.com/micmindedpeople]🎤 Fokus — https://instagram.com/mcfokus [https://instagram.com/mcfokus] Connect with JoSoSick: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jososick/ [https://www.instagram.com/jososick/]TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jososick [https://www.tiktok.com/@jososick]YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jososicktv [https://youtube.com/@jososicktv]Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4plADgQTqVwQboafH6KsGL [https://open.spotify.com/artist/4plADgQTqVwQboafH6KsGL]Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jososick/1460808700 [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jososick/1460808700]Bandcamp: https://jososick.bandcamp.com/ [https://jososick.bandcamp.com/]

Episode 28: Limmz - From Lockdown Freestyles to DnB Breakthrough

Fokus links up with rising star Limmz to talk journey, versatility and the grind behind building his name. From lockdown freestyles with friends to making waves in drum & bass, Limmz breaks down how it all started and what drives him. They explore his early influences - from US rap to grime via Pow - and how that shaped his sound. He reflects on coming up in Bristol’s underground, building confidence on the mic, and the difference between hosting and recording. Limmz also gets into the realities of being independent: self-releasing, handling social media, and balancing creativity with business. He touches on his earlier, more personal rap versus his current high-energy rave sound. The episode wraps with his latest DnB EP - a high-energy, collaborative project that marks his growth and positions him as one to watch. 🎧 Listen on Podbean: https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com [https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com] 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@micmindedpeople [https://youtube.com/@micmindedpeople] Follow us on Instagram: 🎙️ Mic Minded People: https://www.instagram.com/mcfokus [https://www.instagram.com/mcfokus] Connect with Limmz: 🎵 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/elimo-njau [https://soundcloud.com/elimo-njau] 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4cm0e6rUO2nxaJjkbNqNwf [https://open.spotify.com/artist/4cm0e6rUO2nxaJjkbNqNwf] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/limmzofficial/ [https://www.instagram.com/limmzofficial/] For the love of MCs — the culture, the craft, the conversation.

Episode 27: Vispera - Spoken Word Roots to DNB Shellings

Vispera joins the podcast to talk about her journey from spoken word and poetry into the world of MCing and the UK underground scene. We cover: • competitive poetry slams  • developing flow, cadence & mic control • Manchester & Bristol scene connections • grassroots raves, community & DIY culture • linking up with Sofa Sound • the creative process behind her studio works Real conversation on growth and versatility from an exciting artist reppin' fresh Drum & Bass talent. As ever — expect ‘ultimate MC cyphers’ and acapella bars. 🎧 Listen: https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com [https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com] Follow us: 🎙️ https://www.instagram.com/micmindedpeople 🎧 https://www.instagram.com/mcfokus [https://www.instagram.com/mcfokus] Connect with Vispera: 📸 https://www.instagram.com/__vispera/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/__vispera/?hl=en]🎧 https://open.spotify.com/artist/1gIF11bskGHBzo32hbNO9J?si=jLzTSONeRhCpq-RqcMTHjw [https://open.spotify.com/artist/1gIF11bskGHBzo32hbNO9J?si=jLzTSONeRhCpq-RqcMTHjw]

Episode 26: MC Flux - 36 Years of Jungle, Drum & Bass and Rave History

This one is the real deal! True pioneer MC Flux tells the story of his 36-year journey through the UK underground music scene - from the South London sound system culture of the 1980s to the explosive rise of rave, jungle, and drum & bass. Flux shares first-hand stories from the early days of sound clashes and illegal raves, and how legendary venues like Stearns helped shape the UK rave movement. We dive into the evolution of MC culture in the 90s, the rise of jungle in 1994, and how the scene transformed into modern drum & bass. He also opens up about the garage era, changes in club culture, the impact of COVID on nightlife, and how resilience, work ethic, and community have kept him going for more than three decades in music. This conversation is a deep dive into the real history of UK rave culture from someone who helped build it. In this episode: * The early South London sound system scene * Rave culture in the late 80s & 90s * The rise of jungle and drum & bass * MC culture and pirate radio * Life as an MC during the rave boom * Longevity, resilience, and staying relevant in music Featuring: MC Flux Topics: Jungle, Drum & Bass, UK Rave History, Pirate Radio, MC Culture, Sound Systems 👇 Tap below to listen and follow 🎧 Listen to the episode https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com [https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com] 📺 Watch on YouTube youtube.com/@micmindedpeople 📱 Follow Mic Minded People 🎙️ Mic Minded People https://instagram.com/micmindedpeople [https://instagram.com/micmindedpeople] 🎤 Phil Fokus https://instagram.com/mcfokus [https://instagram.com/mcfokus] 🔥 Follow MC Flux 📘 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fluxthomas2 [https://www.facebook.com/fluxthomas2] 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/flux_mc/ [https://www.instagram.com/flux_mc/] 🎧 Also available on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/16ZUeZQGwA8oSvJPZCpgAd [https://open.spotify.com/show/16ZUeZQGwA8oSvJPZCpgAd] Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mic-minded-people-the-podcast/id1804623810 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mic-minded-people-the-podcast/id1804623810] For the love of MCs - the culture, the craft, the conversation. Keywords: MC Flux, Jungle music, Drum and Bass, UK rave culture, Sound system culture, Jungle history, Drum and Bass history, UK underground music, Pirate radio, MC culture, 90s rave scene, Jungle MC, Drum and Bass MC, UK rave history, Sound clash culture