Skream

Infobox musical artist |
Name = Skream


Img_size =
Img_capt = Skream in Dusseldorf
Birth_name = Oliver Jones
Alias = Mr. Keaz
Instrument = Music sequencer, samplers, Drum machines, Personal computer
Genre = Dubstep
Occupation = Producer
Musician
Years_active = 2003–present
Label = Tempa
URL = http://www.tempa.co.uk/art_skream.html

Skream (born Oliver Jones in West Wickham, Bromleycite web
last = Clark
first = Martyn
authorlink = http://blackdownsoundboy.blogspot.com
title = Interview with Skream
date = 2005-08-27
url = http://blackdownsoundboy.blogspot.com/2005_08_01_archive.html
accessdate = 2007-06-30] ) is a 21 year-old dubstep producer based in Croydon.cite web | author= O'Connell, Sharon | title= Dubstep | work= Time Out London | url=http://www.timeout.com/london/music/features/2083.html | date= 4 October 2006 | |accessmonthday=13 June | accessyear=2007] One of dubstep's first and most prominent producers, he has played an important role in the genre's development.

Origins

As a teenager, Jones worked at Big Apple Records, a Croydon-based record store that was at the centre of the early dubstep scene; even prior to this, Jones had become acquainted with Hatcha, another dubstep pioneer, because Jones' brother worked on an adjacent floor in Big Apple Records. As a result of this encounter, Hatcha was the first DJ to play Skream dubplates.

Jones began producing music at the age of 15 (using Fruity Loops) and claims to now have roughly 1,500 songs in varying stages of development.cite web | author= Clark, Martin | title= Column: The Month in Grime / Dubstep | work= Pitchfork Media | url=http://pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/10331-column-the-month-in-grime-dubstep | date= 20 July 2005 | |accessmonthday=13 June | accessyear=2007] Skream's early productions were often with another alumnus of Big Apple, Benga, and are of a decidedly darker and less melodic nature than later releases.cite journal|url=http://www.thewire.co.uk/current/index.php |journal=The Wire |issue=279 |title=The Primer: Dubstep]

Rise to prominence

As dubstep started to be noted by conventional media such as The Guardiancite web | author= Warren, Emma | title= Various, Dubstep Allstars 5 - Mixed By DJ N-Type | work= Guardian Unlimited | url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/print/0,,329781715-111639,00.html | date= 22 April 2007 | |accessmonthday=13 June | accessyear=2007] and Pitchfork, Jones' music started to take on a more melodic sound; less overtly influenced by the darker, UK garage influenced sounds of early dubstep artists such as Horsepower Productions, with dub, house, and even jazz influences instead. The 2005 Skream track "Midnight Request Line" has been described as "dubstep's most recognizable crossover hit"cite web | author= Hampton, Justin B | title= Dubstep: music dark enough to tug the guts | work= LA Times | url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-wk-dubstep12apr12,1,6618326.story?coll=la-entnews-music | date= 12 April 2007 | |accessmonthday=13 June | accessyear=2007 ] , and has been praised by producers as diverse as grime producer Wiley, and minimal techno producer Ricardo Villalobos.cite web | author= Cowdery, James | title= Bass in the place. | work= Collective | url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/collective/A10695684 | date= 6 April 2006| |accessmonthday=15 June | accessyear=2007] The key change in the chorus, which Wire has described as "an epic change of key and tempo that recall(s) the classicist mannerisms of Derrick May", cite journal|title=Review of Dubstep Allstars vol. 4, on Tempa records.|journal=The Wire|date=2006-08-01|first=Derek|last=Walmsley|coauthors=|volume=|issue=270|pages=1|id= |url=|format=|accessdate=2007-07-15] has been credited as being a key factor in the evolution of a more melodic sound in the dubstep genre.

Skream has released records on a variety of UK record labels, such as Tempa, Tectonic, and Big Apple Records, including a self titled album on the Tempa label.cite web | author= Whalley, Matt | title= Skream! | work= Allmusic | url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE47818DA49A97F20C59F2F4991E523A629C742F281116E495AD1A9304B860379F650F095C8AEF87DAB7BAFFF29E85D05D3CFE457F9CC0640&sql=10:3zfexqerldfe | date= | |accessmonthday=13 June | accessyear=2007] He has performed in Europe, the US, Australia, and Japan,cite web | author= Smart, Richard | title= Viral sounds from South London. | work= The Japan Times Online | url= http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fq20070518a3.html | date= 18 May 2007| |accessmonthday=13 June | accessyear=2007] as well as the UK.cite web | author= Madden, Joe | title= Skream if you wanna go deeper. | work= Collective | url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/collective/A16144904 | date= 12 October 2006| |accessmonthday=13 June | accessyear=2007] He hosts a weekly show on Rinse FM, called Stella Sessions. [http://www.dummymag.com/blog/2007_02_01_archive.html DUMMY MAGAZINE: February 2007 ] ] cite web | author= Clark, Martin | title= Column: The Month in Grime / Dubstep | work= Pitchfork Media | url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/40981-the-month-in-grime-dubstep | date= 14 February 2007 | |accessmonthday=14 July | accessyear=2007]

On June 17, 2007, Skream was featured on BBC Radio 1's Essential Mix.cite web
url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/essentialmix/tracklistingarchive.shtml?20070617
title=BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix Tracklisting
date=2007-06-17
accessdate=2007-06-19] On the 17th of October 2007 skream announced that Skreamizm volume 4 will be in the shops in November 2007

Discography

Albums

* "Skream!" (2006)

EPs

* "The Judgement (with Benga)" (2003)
* "Hydro (with Benga)" (2004)
* "Skreamizm Vol. 1" (2006)
* "Skreamizm Vol. 2" (2006)
* "Acid People" (2007)
* "Skreamizm Vol. 3" (2007)
* "Skreamizm Vol. 4" (2007)

ingles

* "28g / Fearless" (2005)
* "Midnight Request Line" (2005)
* "Bahl Fwd / Temptation" (2006)
* "Dubstars, Vol. 2 EP" (2006)
* "Never Warned / Plodder Remix" with MRK1 (2006)
* "Tapped / Dutch Flowerz" (2006)
* "Travels / Wise Men" (2006)
* "Assumptions Remix / Clockwatching" (2007)
* "Sub Island / Pass The Red Stripe" (2007)

References

External links

* [http://www.myspace.com/skreamuk Skream's MySpace page]
* [http://rbmaradio.com/ARCHIVE.153.0.php?extID=0&showID=354 RBMA Radio On Demand - Melbourne Marvels - Skream (Tempa, London)]
* [http://www.redbullmusicacademy.com/TUTORS.9.0.html?act_session=348 Skream RBMA video lecture session Pt.1]
* [http://www.redbullmusicacademy.com/TUTORS.9.0.html?act_session=349 Skream RBMA video lecture session Pt.2]
* [http://www.boomkat.com/article.cfm?id=2 Article about Skream at Boomkat.com]
* [http://blackdownsoundboy.blogspot.com/2005_08_01_blackdownsoundboy_archive.html Skream Interview] on Blackdown blog
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/collective/A10695684 BBC Collective dubstep documentary filmed at DMZ 1st Birthday, 2005. Interviews with Mala, Loefah, Skream, Kode 9, Youngsta...]