BURGABOY: THE COME UP

Burgaboy’s journey into music began at the tender age of 9, inspired by his brother’s recordings of Westwood’s radio shows and influenced by rappers like Ludacris and Cam’ron. His initial musical expressions found an outlet in his church’s choir, laying the groundwork for his artistic journey.

At 14, introduced to FL Studio by a friend, Burgaboy embarked on his production journey. Although uncertain about the direction his music would take, he relished the process of creating. His return to Manchester at 16, after years in Jamaica, marked a pivotal moment. Encountered with Dexplicit’s “Bullacake” through a friend, Burgaboy was captivated by the Bassline genre, despite his hip-hop and R&B leanings.

His immersion into Bassline deepened through house parties, leading him to experiment with producing tracks influenced by Dexplicit’s sound. Burgaboy’s early Bassline productions quickly spread among friends through Bluetooth and infrared, establishing his presence from the ground up.

Gaining traction, his tracks found their way into local clubs, such as Alibi in Sale, bolstering his confidence to continue in the genre. By 2007, Burgaboy reached out to influential DJs like DJ EJ and Jamie Duggan, with @djejuk immediately supporting his work, helping to amplify his reach.

Despite an initial disinterest in DJing, an offer from a Leeds promoter eventually led Burgaboy to the decks, with his first DJ gig at the Mint Club in Leeds marking the start of a successful DJing career. Leeds quickly became a favored city for him to play in, and by 2008, Burgaboy was a dominant force in the UK Bassline scene, touring extensively and solidifying his status as a key figure.

Today, discussing Bassline music without mentioning Burgaboy’s impact is difficult. His journey from a young music enthusiast to a cornerstone of UK Bassline music underscores the profound impact of homegrown talent on the UK’s musical landscape, showcasing Burgaboy’s undeniable mark on the scene.