Skanka: "Drum & Bass is Passion, It's Connection, It's Home"

Drum and bass artist Skanka swung by to chat about his love for the genre, its current state in the US, and where he hopes the scene heads next!

Although other regions of the world, like the UK, have been at the forefront of the drum and bass scene for decades, Southern California has brought its own heat with each passing year. There’s an underbelly of talent that’s been found in cities like Los Angeles and San Diego, and one of those artists who has proven his skills is Skanka.

Skanka has carved out quite a niche for himself in the scene lately. Not only has he dropped some bombs on Merge Music, but he’s also become a frequent face at clubs and festivals throughout Southern California. Recent wins for this burgeoning drum and bass artist include playing in support of Bou during HARD Summer’s pre-party at Exchange LA, stops in San Diego at Bloom and NOVA, and an appearance at the Passport Lounge at Beyond Wonderland SoCal.

Much akin to other artists in the DnB scene, Skanka’s passion for the genre runs deep. To him, it isn’t just centered on the music that makes you move, but the community that surrounds it as well. “What makes this community so special to me is its balance of deep roots and constant evolution. That bridge between tradition and new energy is where I’ve always wanted to stand. Creating a space that’s unapologetically authentic to me and bursting with enthusiasm,” he shared. “To me, it’s about building a family, a shared space where the line between artist and audience disappears. Drum and Bass is that space. It is passion, it is connection, it is home.

Drum and bass, and the community around it, mean everything to me. It’s not just a genre, it’s a community, and a soundtrack to some of the most important moments of my life. I’ve always been drawn to the energy and the way this music brings people together from completely different worlds who are all feeling the same vibration and connection through the music.
Skanka

Skanka explained that he’s been rooting for a resurgence of drum and bass since 2015, and was always drawn to the sounds of the more pop-influenced side of the genre that was found on labels like Monstercat. “Songs with emotional, melody-driven vocals have a unique ability to capture an entirely different audience from the one that’s kept drum and bass alive in the underground for decades,” he said.

Yet that isn’t the only aspect that helped push drum and bass back to the forefront, as Skanka paid homage to many of the Southern California communities that have held it down over the past two decades. He quickly rattled off a list of brands like Respect, Xcellerated, Timeless, Merge, SD Union, United by Bass, Upgrade, San DNB, Ghetto Life, I Love LA, Momentive, Uncommon Being, Bassrush, and Play Me Records, all of whom have kept the vibes alive for years.

Any passionate Drum and Bass fan will tell you the genre never really left; it’s just been thriving in its own dedicated spaces. What we’re seeing now feels like a new wave that’s bridging those long-standing underground roots with a fresh, accessible sound, and that’s something I’m incredibly excited to be a part of!
Skanka

Recent years have seen drum and bass find its way to more festival mainstages than ever before, with many flocking to its sounds. Skanka paused when asked about the future of the genre, before saying that he feels it’s just the beginning.

“The scene is going to keep growing, evolving, and finding new audiences,” he shared. “I have a strong sense that we’re on the verge of a fusion moment, where drum and bass intersects more boldly with pop and hip-hop/rap. When that crossover fully clicks, I think we’ll see the genre reach a level of visibility and cultural impact in the US that we can’t even fully imagine right now.”

What excites me most is that this growth won’t just be about mainstream attention; it’ll also build on the foundation laid by the underground communities that have been pushing drum and bass here for decades. If those roots and this new wave continue to feed into each other, the future is going to be bigger, more diverse, and more creative than ever before.
Skanka

Skanka’s future is bright, but it’s also clear he’s remained true to the project. “From the start, I wanted to build a brand and a platform that let me share the music I’m so deeply connected to with people who feel that same spark,” he shared. “I’ve always wanted to do it with energy, enthusiasm, and unapologetic authenticity.”

That energy translates to his performances, where you can see him dancing around, losing himself to the tunes he’s spinning, and fully feeling the crowd’s energy—even if other DJs have given him flak along the way. “I’ve never once heard from a fan that my energy on stage has had a negative impact on their experience,” he said. “In fact, it’s been the opposite. That authenticity and joy create a space where the crowd feels not just connected to the music, but connected to me.”

The bond I have with my fans often feels less like a performer-audience dynamic and more like a genuine friendship. The tag of my brand is #DNBPersonified, which represents the passion, energy, and creativity of Drum and Bass music. That is the heart of my vision, and it hasn’t wavered.
Skanka

As for his own future, Skanka is continuing to evolve his live sets, where he plans to showcase his original tunes alongside those who have helped craft the new era. A first glimpse will arrive at Nocturnal Wonderland, which will surely see him throw down some epic tunes that will spark some energy into the crowd. “We are also planning a meet and greet an hour before my set,” he shared. “The details for that are still being worked out, but the idea is that we will meet up, hang out for a little bit, take a photo, and then all go to the set together.”

It has been really exciting finding new ways to incorporate my own music into the music I already know and love. I also have included music from some friends of mine here in LA who have been a really big part of this next phase of my development. The Drum and Bass community in Los Angeles is really strong and supportive. Big shouts out to Mr. Deeds, Dr. Apollo, LMNOP, Gracie Van Brunt, Ghost in Real Life, and Hissteria. I also want to take a quick moment to shout out the first industry professional who saw potential in me and showed me the ropes of recording and production as a teenager 12 years ago, Francis Buckley.
Skanka

To help get everyone hyped, he whipped up a mix that’s teeming with curated gems from those artists his original music, including his new, unreleased song “On My Way,” which features his own vocals. Listen to this exclusive mix from Skanka on SoundCloud and follow his social media channels for more to come from this drum and bass artist!