“It’s crazy to think we turn 20 this year. Something I started as a hobby has become an all enveloping part of my life and it seems like it matters quite a bit to a few of you. This year we have some of our biggest and best plans to date. It’s nice to look back but it’s even more exciting to look forward.” Kasra Critical // 2022
Conceived by D&B visionary Kasra back in 2002, in a flat in north London, the Critical Music name has grown from a simple idea driven by a commitment to putting out the best music the scene has to offer into one of the most well respected electronic dance music labels in the UK. Nurturing new talent and releasing some of the freshest breaks and beats from the cream of the scene, it has gone on to build a loyal following around the world driven on by Kasra’s never ending quest to release quality underground bass music. Not only a record label, the Critical empire boasts it’s own highly esteemed club nights “Critical Sound” with sell out events at venues such as Motion in Bristol, Studio 338, E1 and Printworks in London, as well as regular branded Critical tour nights and festival stages across the UK and abroad.
Ever-evolving the label has substantiated itself even more so with a finely tuned squadron of the world’s most talented producers, Austria’s Mefjus, Russia’s Enei, Sweden’s QZB and the Netherland’s Waeys as well as UK talents Ivy Lab, Sam Binga, Foreign Concept, Halogenix, Hyroglifics, T>I, Fade Black, Particle, Levela, Cauzer and of course, label owner Kasra. Whilst vocalists and MC’s such as Charli Brix, Jakes, Solah, Rider Shafique and Redders have also been at the foundation of the label, all in all each individual have proved themselves to be a shining light of the new generation of Drum & Bass artists.
Critical Music seeks to uncover fresh, original sonics and as it enters its 20th year, continues to represent the sound of the underground, without compromise.