So, this year the winners took a turn in a different direction - compared to previous years where Jump Up dominated the winners list it now seems that a more grown up, commercially aware list of winners has appeared. Has the stream of Pop Drum & Bass assisted with this years winners? In my opinion yes, without a doubt.

Gone are the days of the scene being a ‘Underground’ movement, that probably died a death way back in the middle of the 90’s. Now, in 2011 we have the likes of Hospital Records alongside Chase & Status actually pushing Drum & Bass to the mainstream and, I assume, making a actual living from it.

The die hard original Junglists will probably rage at this success, I know I did for a long time but I eventually decided that when I was 16 and playing upfront Jungle in the early 90’s the original Acid House crew probably thought the same about me. It’s called progression.

To be honest I am so far disjointed from the current scene that I can’t say my opinion is that valid but it’s nice to see the likes of Skibadee missing the top spot. It’s a game changer for some, especially the bait Jump Up producers such as DJ Sly who constantly put out the same old recycled spaff year after year.

Drum & Bass 2012 - time to accept progression I assume?

Personally I’ll just stick to vinyl and Jungle and let the new blood enjoy what’s now become a whole new scene.

The list of winners can be found here