Listen to an unmissable dubstep documentary from 2003

“It’s a new sound, it’s coming through,” so says an anonymous raver about the beginnings of dubstep in this 2003 BBC Radio 1 documentary. “Everyone seems to be digging it, everyone’s pushing the sound, a lot of DJs are playing the beats. Hopefully it’ll go more than way and stay underground rather than go commercial like garage did and now it’s dead.” This documentary, produced by Rowan Collinson at Somethin’ Else for BBC Radio 1 back in 2003, explores the emergence of dubstep, the DNA of its sound and its relationship with UK garage, breaks and grime. It includes interviews with Dizzee Rascal, Plastician (previously Plasticman), Zed Bias, journalist Chantelle Fiddy, ravers from east London club night FWD>> and a very young Benga who demonstrates the making of a track on a Playstation. This doc has been floating around the net for a while now (I first heard it on Dan Hancox’s old blog) and if you’ve not already clocked it, it’s a essential listen – especially for this beautifully prophetic moment about halfway through: “Who needs guitars these days? But whatever you do, don’t tell Radiohead.”

The New Step by DummyMag