If dubstep has an all-star group, Magnetic Man is it. Its two most visible faces are superstar producers Skream and Benga, and its anchor is, arguably, one of the genre’s creators, Artwork. His 2002 track “Red” helped lead garage into the kinds of womp-womp basslines that would define dubstep. And, most importantly to Magnetic Man, it was at his own Croydon, England record store and studio, Big Apple Records, that he first met then-teenage Skream and Benga.
The three have enjoyed nearly a decade (and more, for Artwork) of solo success, but over the past couple years, they’ve quickly amassed legions of fans together. Magnetic Man shows are completely live, and psychedelic while still crowd-pleasing, full of singalong vocals over stuttering synth lines.
On the strength of their festival and club following, it was a major label who approached them to produce a proper debut album, due out for digital release in the states on April 12 and physically in stores on May 10. Full of guest cameos by the likes of stars like Katy B. and John Legend, it’s poised to take dubstep even further into the mainstream. URB chatted reached Artwork by phone at his Croydon studio for the rundown. …MORE
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