[Fantazia Takeover] Kings of the Rave: 2 Bad Mice B2B Ellis Dee B2B Mark XTC Ft. MC GQ

Formed in 1991, 2 Bad Mice are widely regarded as one of the acts that contributed to the explosion of raves around the world, credited as amongst the first UK hardcore acts to begin incorporating breakbeats into their style and they were instrumental in the musics steady mutation into Jungle / Drum and Bass. Simon Colebrooke and Sean O’Keeffe met before making music together through the BMX scene and both took a different direction in their music tastes. Simon’s love was US and UK Hip Hop, while Sean was enjoying early House and Techno but a meet up at local nightclub got them chatting about very early hardcore tracks that were entering the raves. More Hip Hop sounds and influences had started to influence productions and Simon suggested they approach local producer Rob Playford to make a tune, after a bit of convincing, an invite to the then Moving Shadow bedroom studio was extended to them.

Ellis Dee is one of rave’s most respected foundational DJs, with a career in DJing and music production spanning over 35 years. Today many still refer respectfully to him as The Captain. Ellis Dee was just 15 when he first stepped behind the decks, DJing at parties and small venues. A couple of years later, in 1987, the UK woke up to the rise of Acid House—the new sound that would ignite a cultural revolution.

Mark XTC started his DJ-ing career at the tender age of 15 playing in places such as Fantazia, Mythology and The legendary Hacienda, wherein the late 80’s he won the North West DMC DJ Championships.

Producing with The Mix Factory, ‘Take Me Away’ was one of the first “rave anthem’s” to hit the UK singles chart and also gained some good success in the American charts.

Da Intalex was born in the 90’s during the heady days of rave culture. Two guys doing what they loved, producing and spinning drum & bass all around the world.

As well as producing Mark has DJ’ed all over the world playing everything from house to hip hop with splashings of jungle and d&b at British institutions such as Helter Skelter, Dreamscape and The Hacienda to name a few.

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Since the early 1990s, Jungle drum & bass has evolved rapidly, yet few voices have remained as constant as MC GQ. For over 30 years, his charisma, presence, and unmistakable flow have defined the culture’s frontline. Touring worldwide and achieving chart success, he cemented his legacy in 1999 by founding Emcee Recordings, a platform that helped launch talents such as Jubei, SP:MC, Breakage, and Sabre. Renowned for seamlessly partnering with top-tier DJs at both global festivals and intimate events, GQ remains a cornerstone of Jungle and D&B.