It has always been said that UK hip-hop was or is “on the horizon”, and however true or untrue that statement is, the scene has never failed (from time to time) to produce a rare and unique talent who breaks the moulds of the global and domestic restrictions the scene has been known to carry.

Funky DL is definitely and without any shadow of a doubt, one of those talents who are an exception to those aforementioned restrictions. With an emergence on the scene in late 1995 as a 17 year old, DL was all over the hip-hop radio airwaves with his demo tapes being played on heavy rotation and a then on looking scene of other artists and enthusiasts wondering… where on earth this young talent has come from?

The answer is “Lower Clapton, Hackney, East London”. Funky DL grew up on the sounds of De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest and Pete Rock and CL Smooth and instantly embraced the style of Jazz and its interpolation(s) with hip-hop. With a keen ear for melody, DL started to pull jazz music into his production but extracting from artists and era’s that differed from the idols he had previously revered.

Becoming a MOBO award winning artist signed to a 5 album deal in 1997 and further nominations for consecutive years, DL almost instantly became a household name in the UK scene, solidifying his reputation as one of the leading hip-hop producers.

Within a further few years, DL’s music was beginning to break the barriers of the UK shores and pockets of fans worldwide were gravitating toward his craft, energy and entertaining creativity. With tours in Israel and Japan, Funky DL slowly began to build up an almost like cult following of fans who adored the sounds of his music. DL’s success in Japan reached a height which today is still unrivalled by any other UK counterpart and his legacy has been officially declared as “legendary” by the Japanese hip-hop scene.

Funky DL is a special figure from the UK scene, not necessarily just because of the quality seal his music has become known to always carry but because he encompasses all the areas of the music industry under his umbrella and has an acute and unique perspective as well as remaining perhaps the most consistent hip-hop figure the UK scene has ever seen…

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For production history, click here...