Andy C

Andy C
Stephen West · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Andy C
Birth name	Andrew John Clarke
Birth date	7 May 1976
Birth place	Walsall, West Midlands
Occupation	DJ, record producer, label executive
Years active	1991–present
Labels	Ram Records, Newstate
Associated acts	DJ Hype, Shimon, Die, Loxy and Ink, Noisia, Snoop Dogg, Kurtis Mantronik

Andy C is an English drum and bass DJ, record producer, and co-founder of an influential independent label. He is widely recognized for shaping the sound of drum and bass through set programming, production collaborations, and label management, influencing scenes in the United Kingdom, United States, Japan, and across Europe. His approach to DJing and promotion has intersected with major festivals, club nights, radio stations, and genre-defining artists.

Early life and education

Born Andrew John Clarke in Walsall, West Midlands in 1976, he grew up during the rise of UK rave culture and the evolution of jungle into drum and bass. He attended local schools in Walsall and was exposed to pirate radio broadcasts from outlets such as Pulse FM and Rinse FM, which played a formative role alongside legal broadcasters like BBC Radio 1 and Kiss FM. Early influences included Jamaican sound system culture exemplified by Mighty Crown and UK producers from labels such as Goldie's Metalheadz and Moving Shadow.

Musical career

His career began in the early 1990s with residency slots at regional clubs and appearances at seminal events like FabricLive nights and Siren Festival stages. He rose to prominence through a combination of club sets, vinyl releases, and high-profile radio mixes on outlets including BBC Radio 1 and Kiss FM. Collaborations and remixes include work with artists and producers such as DJ Hype, Shimon, Noisia, Netsky, and crossover remixes for names like Snoop Dogg and Kurtis Mantronik. He has released mix compilations on labels such as RAM Records and appeared on compilations alongside acts from Hospital Records, Metalheadz, and Newstate.

Production and DJ techniques

His production style emphasizes crisp breakbeat programming, sub-bass layering, and meticulous arrangement, reflecting techniques used by producers at Metalheadz, Moving Shadow, and Hospital Records. As a DJ he is known for quick mixing, harmonic phrasing, and back-to-back sets with peers including DJ Hype and Gilles Peterson, integrating tracks from labels like RAM Records, Spearhead Records, and Renegade Hardware. He popularized high-energy track selection, double drops, and harmonic mixing strategies similar to approaches advocated by David Guetta and Carl Cox in other genres. His live performances often use decks and mixers from manufacturers such as Pioneer DJ and Allen & Heath and incorporate cueing and waveform-matching techniques common in contemporary club DJing.

Ram Records and label management

He co-founded Ram Records in the early 1990s, which grew into a major independent imprint within the drum and bass scene alongside Hospital Records and Metalheadz. Under his direction the label signed and promoted artists including Chase & Status, Sub Focus, Netsky, and Loadstar, and released catalogues that shaped the soundscape of festivals and clubs across Europe and the United States. Ram Records developed sub-labels and compilation series, hosted label nights at venues like Ministry of Sound and Printworks, and forged distribution and promotional relationships with industry players such as PIAS and Warner Music Group for select releases. Label management tasks included A&R, artist development, licensing negotiations, and coordination of vinyl and digital distribution channels.

Major performances and tours

He has performed at major festivals and venues including Glastonbury Festival, Creamfields, Electric Daisy Carnival, Tomorrowland, Boomtown Fair, Fabric and club residencies across London, Birmingham, and Manchester. International tours have taken him to stages in Japan, Australia, United States, and throughout Europe, often featuring headline slots and collaborative sets with artists from labels such as Hospital Records and Metalheadz. High-profile broadcasts include guest mixes on BBC Radio 1 and recorded sets for compilation series such as FabricLive and Essential Mix events.

Awards and recognition

He has received recognition from industry and fan-voted awards, appearing repeatedly in polls run by DJ Mag and receiving accolades from publications like Mixmag and NME. His label and artists have won awards from institutions such as the UK Music Video Awards and been shortlisted in industry ceremonies alongside peers from Ministry of Sound and Anjunabeats. Publications and broadcasters have credited him with contributing to the internationalization of drum and bass and influencing younger producers who later signed to labels like Hospital Records, Critical Music, and V Recordings.

Personal life and influences

He has cited influences including pioneering artists and collectives such as Goldie, LTJ Bukem, Reprazent, Roni Size, DJ Hype, and labels such as Metalheadz and Moving Shadow. Outside music he maintains ties to his hometown region of Walsall and has participated in community-linked events and charity initiatives alongside organizations like Help for Heroes and local arts programs. His approach to mentorship and label stewardship has influenced a generation of producers who later found success on imprints including Ram Records, Hospital Records, and Critical Music.

Category:English DJs Category:Drum and bass musicians Category:People from Walsall