Sub Focus

Sub Focus
Name	Sub Focus

Sub Focus

Sub Focus is a British electronic music producer and DJ known for his work in drum and bass, dubstep, and electronic dance music. He rose to prominence through charting singles, high-profile collaborations, and performances at major festivals and clubs. His career spans studio albums, remix work for mainstream artists, and international touring.

Early life and education

Born in the United Kingdom, he attended schools and local institutions that shaped his early musical development, including regional music centers and industry-linked programs. During his formative years he engaged with local studios, sound engineering courses, and club scenes in cities such as London, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, and Birmingham. He participated in youth music initiatives connected to organizations such as BBC Radio 1 and conservatoires that collaborate with institutions like Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Royal College of Music. His early exposure included radio shows, club nights, and communities around labels such as Hospital Records, RAM Records, Metro Recordings, Ministry of Sound, and XL Recordings.

Career

His career began with releases on independent labels and collaborations with producers linked to scenes around Brentford, Hackney, and Dalston. Early singles and EPs received attention from influential platforms including Kiss FM, Capital FM, BBC Radio 1Xtra, and MTV. He signed to major and independent labels associated with acts on Virgin Records, EMI, Island Records, and Universal Music Group imprints. Chart success brought appearances on programs such as Top of the Pops, Later... with Jools Holland, and festival stages at Glastonbury Festival, Reading and Leeds Festivals, and Creamfields. Collaborations and remixes involved artists connected to Rihanna, Drake, Kanye West, Adele, Calvin Harris, Skrillex, Pendulum, Chase & Status, Noisia, Nero, Major Lazer, Diplo, Moby, The Chemical Brothers, The Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, Daft Punk, Justice, Basement Jaxx, Underworld, New Order, Depeche Mode, Massive Attack, Portishead, Leftfield, Orbital, Goldie, Roni Size, LTJ Bukem, High Contrast, Andy C, DJ Hype, Calibre, Spor (Thomas Thoman), and producers from Shogun Audio and Viper Recordings.

Musical style and influences

His musical style draws from drum and bass, jungle, dubstep, and contemporary electronic subgenres associated with scenes in Bristol, London, and Sheffield. Influences include pioneering figures and groups such as Goldie, Roni Size, LTJ Bukem, The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers, Daft Punk, Massive Attack, Portishead, Leftfield, Underworld, Orbital, Nicolas Jaar, Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, Skrillex, Diplo, Calvin Harris, Paul Oakenfold, Pete Tong, Carl Cox, Richie Hawtin, Sasha (DJ), John Digweed, Kraftwerk, Brian Eno, Vangelis, Jean-Michel Jarre, Moby, Kieran Hebden, Four Tet, Burial, Benga, Coki, Skream, Mount Kimbie, Bonobo, Fila Brazillia, Leftfield's Neil Barnes, and production teams affiliated with Warp Records and Ninja Tune.

Discography

His discography comprises studio albums, singles, EPs, and remixes released through labels linked to Virgin Records, EMI, Island Records, RAM Records, Hospital Records, Mercury Records, Ministry of Sound, and indie imprints. Major releases charted on listings curated by Official Charts Company, Billboard, Beatport, Traxsource, and iTunes Store. Notable tracks and remixes received airplay on BBC Radio 1, Capital FM, Kiss FM, and coverage in publications such as NME, Rolling Stone, Mixmag, DJ Mag, Pitchfork, The Guardian, The Independent, The Times, The Telegraph, Complex (magazine), and Fader. His remixes involved songs originally released by Rihanna, Drake, Adele, Calvin Harris, Sia, Ellie Goulding, Kanye West, Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Labrinth, Example (musician), Rudimental, Sigala, Gorgon City, Clean Bandit, Disclosure, Above & Beyond, Armin van Buuren, Paul van Dyk, Kaskade, Deadmau5, Eric Prydz, Alison Wonderland, and Zeds Dead.

Live performances and tours

He has performed at international festivals and venues including Glastonbury Festival, Creamfields, Tomorrowland, Ultra Music Festival, Electric Daisy Carnival, Coachella, Reading and Leeds Festivals, Isle of Wight Festival, Bestival, Sónar, EXIT Festival, Amsterdam Dance Event, Fabric (club), Ministry of Sound (club), Berghain, XOYO, Printworks (London), Cocoon (club), Output (club), and toured regions including North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America. He has shared stages or billed alongside DJs and acts such as Calvin Harris, Skrillex, Diplo, Nero, Chase & Status, Pendulum, Andy C, Sasha (DJ), and Carl Cox. Live setups often incorporated modular rigs and hardware from manufacturers like Native Instruments, Roland, Moog Music, Korg, Akai Professional, and software from Ableton Live.

Awards and recognition

His work earned nominations and awards from industry bodies and media including BRIT Awards, NME Awards, DJ Mag Awards, Ivor Novello Awards, Mercury Prize, MOBO Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards, Grammy Awards-adjacent recognition through remixes, and acknowledgment by organizations such as PRS for Music, BPI (British Phonographic Industry), and ASCAP. He received coverage and rankings in publications like DJ Mag, Mixmag, Billboard, and Rolling Stone and placements on year-end lists by Pitchfork and FACT Magazine.

Personal life

Outside music he has engaged with charitable initiatives and community projects connected to organizations like BBC Children in Need, War Child, Nordoff Robbins, Help Musicians UK, and arts institutions such as Southbank Centre and Roundhouse (venue). He has maintained residences and studios in major cultural centers including London, Bristol, and metropolitan neighborhoods with active music scenes.

Category:English electronic musicians