DJ Hype (real name Kevin Ford) is a British DJ, producer, and one of the founding figures of the jungle / drum & bass genre. He was born on 6 August 1968 in London. Hype is regarded as a key architect of the 1990s UK sound, a resident of major rave events, founder of Ganja Records, and a member of the iconic project Ganja Kru.
He is known for his razor-sharp scratching technique, legendary radio shows, and production work that helped define the face of the early d’n’b scene.
Early Years and Beginnings
Kevin Ford grew up in London at a time when hip-hop, reggae, dub and sound-system culture were shaping the city’s musical landscape. He began his career as a hip-hop DJ and turntablist, performing at competitions and club nights.
In the late 1980s, he became part of the Shut Up And Dance sound system, where he took his first steps as a producer. During this period, he contributed to several breakbeat releases that would later form the foundation of the jungle genre.
Breakthrough and Rise as a Jungle Pioneer
In the early 1990s, DJ Hype became a resident of the London radio station Fantasy FM, where his shows quickly reached cult status among early ravers.
With the rise of labels like Suburban Base and Moving Shadow, Hype became one of the scene’s leading producers. His tracks blended:
- sharp breakbeat hits
- reggae-influenced vocal samples
- atmospheric pad textures
- heavy sub-bass pressure
This formula positioned Hype as one of the pioneers of jungle and, later, drum & bass.
Key Achievements and Classic Tracks
"Shot in the Dark" (1993)
One of the most recognizable early jungle tracks, which brought Hype wide acclaim.
"Roll the Beats" (1994)
A Suburban Base classic that became an anthem of rave culture.
"Peace Love & Unity"
An iconic tune still featured in “Best of Jungle” compilations.
Ganja Kru — "Super Sharp Shooter" (1996)
One of the biggest hits in d’n’b history — a collaboration between DJ Hype, DJ Zinc and Pascal. The track entered the UK Singles Chart and became a cultural phenomenon.
Labels: Ganja Records and True Playaz
In 1994, DJ Hype founded Ganja Records, one of the most influential labels in jungle.
Together with Pascal and DJ Zinc, he created the platform True Playaz, releasing:
- club anthems
- hard-edged jungle
- jump-up
- dance-floor-oriented drum & bass
True Playaz hosted regular nights at London’s legendary Fabric, where Hype’s resident sets became the stuff of legend.
Radio Career: Kiss FM
From 1994 to 2017, DJ Hype hosted a weekly show on Kiss 100 FM, championing new artists and fresh d’n’b sounds.
It became one of the most influential drum & bass radio programmes in the world.
His style — high-energy mixes, scratching, exclusive dubplates — set the standard for a new generation of DJs.
Style and Technique
DJ Hype is considered one of the most technically precise DJs in the genre. His trademarks include:
- professional-level turntablism
- dynamic two-deck and three-deck mixing
- a jump-up and rave-focused sound
- aggressive yet dance-floor-driven production
- dense sub-bass and fast breakbeats
Recent Years
To this day, DJ Hype continues to:
- perform at major festivals such as Boomtown, Let It Roll, and Outlook
- tour with the Playaz brand
- release compilations and new tunes
- support the next generation of drum & bass producers
He remains one of the few producers who helped shape jungle from the beginning and continues to influence the culture more than 30 years later.
DJ Hype — Complete Discography (Singles, EPs, Albums by Year)
1990
Singles / EPs (Ragga Twins / Shut Up and Dance era)
- Ragga Twins – "Spliffhead" / "Hooligan 69" (production)
- Ragga Twins – "Illegal Gunshot" (production)
- Ragga Twins – "Ragga Twins Step Out" (production)
1991
- Ragga Twins – "Wipe the Needle" (DJ Hype — producer)
- DJ Hype – "Exodus" (early breakbeat works)
1992
- DJ Hype – "I Can't Understand It" (Suburban Base)
- DJ Hype – "Weird Energy"
- DJ Hype – "Bomb Scare" (remix edits)
1993
The breakthrough year in jungle for DJ Hype
- DJ Hype – "Shot in the Dark"
- DJ Hype – "Come Again" / "Roll the Beats" (early version)
- DJ Hype – "Lucky Leberman"
- DJ Hype – "Weird Energy (Remixes)"
1994
- DJ Hype – "Roll the Beats" (classic version)
- DJ Hype – "Tiger Style"
- DJ Hype – "The Trooper"
- DJ Hype – "Floating Killa"
- DJ Hype – "Radio Session EP"
1995
Launch of Ganja Records
- DJ Hype – "Peace Love & Unity" — one of the biggest jungle anthems
- DJ Hype – "Tiger Style (Remix)"
- DJ Hype – "The Chopper (DJ Hype Remix)"
- DJ Hype – "Roll the Beats ('95 Mix)"
1996
Ganja Kru era
- Ganja Kru – "Super Sharp Shooter" (worldwide hit)
- Ganja Kru – "Lyrical Roller"
- DJ Hype – "The Dogs…" EP
- DJ Hype – "Closer to God"
- DJ Hype – "Tribal Natty"
1997
- Ganja Kru – "Reload / Gone in the Blink"
- DJ Hype – "The Real Vibes"
- DJ Hype – "Do It to Me"
- Playaz 001 – Various Artists
1998
- DJ Hype – "Cops" Remix
- DJ Hype – "True Playaz Anthem"
- Ganja Kru – "Plates" (compilation)
1999
- DJ Hype – "Bass Logic" EP
- DJ Hype – "Bun the Sensi"
- Playaz – "Molten Beats Remixes"
2000
- DJ Hype – "The Big 20" (mix album)
- DJ Hype – "Ready or Not" Jungle Remix (live dubplate)
2001
- DJ Hype & DJ Zinc – "Playaz 4 Real"
- DJ Hype – "The Burial"
2002
- DJ Hype – "Jungle Massive 2002"
- DJ Hype – "Fever"
2003
- DJ Hype – "Jungle Massive 2003"
- DJ Hype – "Drum & Bass Selection"
2004
- DJ Hype – "Kiss 100 Drum & Bass Show – The Best Of"
- DJ Hype – "Weapons of Mass Creation Vol. 1"
2005
- DJ Hype – "Weapons of Mass Creation Vol. 2"
2006
- DJ Hype – "Drum & Bass Essentials"
- True Playaz – EP releases
2007
- Ganja Kru – Various EPs / Remasters
- DJ Hype – "On the Real!" Mixtape
2008
- DJ Hype – "FabricLive.18"
2009
- DJ Hype – "Dubplate Killaz 3"
2010
- DJ Hype – "Playaz Classics"
2011–2015
- Digital dubplates
- Remixes
- Live Kiss FM sessions
2016
- DJ Hype – "Playaz – 20 Years Anniversary Compilation"
2017
- Final Kiss FM shows
2018–2025
- "Roll the Beats (Remastered)"
- "Peace, Love & Unity (2020 Edit)"
- "Super Sharp Shooter (Digital Remaster)"
- Exclusive Playaz Nights dubplates
Ganja Kru Releases (Full List)
- Super Sharp Shooter (1996)
- Lyrical Roller (1996)
- New Frontiers EP (1997)
- Plates (1998)
- Remix Series (2000–2002)
Major Albums and Mixes
- Drum & Bass Selection series (1994–1998)
- The Dogs Bollocks (1997)
- FabricLive.18 (2004 / 2008)
- Weapons of Mass Creation Vol. 1–2 (2004, 2005)
- Dubplate Killaz series (2002–2009)
- Playaz Classics (2010–2016)
Summary
DJ Hype is one of the cornerstone figures in the history of jungle and drum & bass. As a DJ, producer, label owner, and radio host, he has had a profound influence on the genre’s evolution, helping new artists emerge while shaping a sound that remains relevant decades later.
