JDNB Interview: Markee Ledge
Markee Ledge is a deep drum & bass and dubstep DJ / producer with a long history in underground electronic music.He made drum & bass as Substance in the 90s, releasing on labels like 31 Records, Formation and his own Ruffneck Ting and Breakbeat Culture imprints. He was also the founder of electronic crossover band Kosheen which took Markee onto a bigger stage of festivals music awards, TV shows and touring the globe. More recently he’s also immersed himself in the 140 BPM scene with a love of deep UK dubstep and has had heavyweight releases on the likes of Tempa, Artikal Music UK, Uprise Audio and his own Zonal label.
Although he’s always been a versatile producer in deep electronic music, vocal tracks have always been his forte. Recently, he’s been working with new vocalists on a collection of uplifting drum & bass vocal tunes. Markee has sourced the singers from countries like Nigeria, USA, The Netherlands and the UK; there are also familiar faces such as MC Jakes and MC Megatron.
We at JDNB thought it would be a great to ask Markee in for a chat to catch up on what is current in his life.
Q1: Thanks for your time out, Markee. Can you give us some background information on Kosheen for the younger generation coming through that may not have heard of you, and some links to your music with Kosheen?
Kosheen was a group from Bristol in the early ’00’s, blending drum and bass, breakbeat, and electronic music with strong, emotive vocals. We were about pushing boundaries and creating something unique in the electronic music scene. Our debut album, Resist, dropped in 2001 and became a landmark in the genre, featuring tracks like "Hide U" and "Catch." We went on to release five albums, each exploring different musical territories while staying true to that original energy. For those who haven’t heard our music, I’d suggest checking out all our albums, especially ‘Resist’ to get a feel for what Kosheen was all about. You can find our full discography on major streaming platforms and read more about our history Here
Q2: What happened to the band, and what prompted the remixes?
Kosheen was active until 2015 when we dissolved. After that, I continued to focus on my solo work. The remixes, particularly of "Hide U," came about because the label wanted to reintroduce Resist to a younger generation. "Hide U" is a classic track from that era, and it still has a lot of relevance today. It’s amazing to see it being reimagined and reaching new audiences.
Kosheen - Hide U (2024 Reload Remixes Parts 1, 2, 3
Buy Juno
Q3: Have Kosheen been doing gigs recently?
I haven’t been involved with Kosheen since 2015, so no, I haven’t been part of any activity since then. My focus has been on my solo work as Markee Ledge, where I’m continuing to explore new sounds and developing my skills in all areas.
Q4: What do you think about the change from jungle to drum and bass and the commercial aspect now?
Jungle was where it all began for me, and it’s always going to be close to my heart. It was raw, experimental, and had this rebellious energy. Drum and bass evolved from that, and while it’s become more polished and commercial over the years, the core elements—heavy basslines, breakbeats, and that underground vibe—are still there. The scene has grown, and while some might miss the rough edges of the early days, it’s great to see drum and bass reaching a wider audience and continuing to evolve.
Q5: Who inspired you back in the day, and who inspires you now?
Back in the day, it was all about the original jungle vibes—artists like Randall, Reinforced Label, Goldie, Roni Size, Krust and the Metalheadz crew were big inspirations. Their music was groundbreaking and shaped a lot of what I wanted to do with Kosheen. Nowadays, I’m inspired by a wide range of artists across genres. I’m still drawn to those who push the envelope and experiment with new sounds. There’s a lot of exciting music out there right now, and that keeps me motivated to keep evolving.
Q6: Any words for the sad death of Randall recently?
Randall was a legend in the scene, one of those DJs who could command a room and take the crowd on a journey. His contribution to jungle and drum and bass can’t be overstated—he was a pioneer. It’s a massive loss for the community, and he’ll be deeply missed. His legacy will live on through the music he loved and the countless lives he touched with his mixes. In fact we are all here because of him. When we started ‘Ruffneck Ting’ the main focus was to get Randall to Bristol and we did that many times!
Q7: What’s up next for you?
Right now, I’m focused on my solo career as Markee Ledge. I’ve got a new album called Laws of Emotion that I’m really excited about. It’s a continuation of my journey, exploring deeper, more atmospheric sounds, while still keeping that intensity that’s always been part of my music. I’m also working on a few other projects, so there’s plenty more to come.
Markee Ledge - Laws of Emotion Album
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Q8: Any shouts?
Big shouts to everyone who’s been supporting the music over the years—whether it was Kosheen or Ruffneck Ting back in the day or my solo work now. Your energy and love for the music keep me going. And to all the DJs, producers, and fans keeping the drum and bass scene alive, much respect. Let’s keep pushing forward.
Markee Ledge:
Interview posted by Brenton Clerkin
