We caught up with drum and bass veterans T & Sugah to discuss the current state of DnB and where the genre is headed.
Drum and bass has ebbed and flowed in popularity over the last few decades, with the genre experiencing a significant resurgence globally over the last couple of years. Robin Storm and Philippe Jouneghani, who make up the DnB duo T & Sugah, have simultaneously ridden the waves of DnB’s fluctuating success while making their own waves in the scene with their upbeat, melodic sound. The Dutchmen have also been pushing both up-and-coming and established DnB artists through their imprint, High Tea, which they launched in 2016.
As DnB continues to evolve and cement itself deeper in the mainstream, T & Sugah remain at the forefront. We caught up with the duo for our Drum & Bass Devotions series to discuss the current state of drum and bass, where the genre is headed, and how they fit into it all.
Drum and bass has shaped our entire lives. We live and breathe this music. When we started over ten years ago, the energy it gave us turned darkness into light. As teenagers, whenever things felt heavy or sad, drum and bass was the place where everything suddenly made sense, a source of drive and excitement that carried us forward. It still does.
T & Sugah
While T & Sugah have been a force to be reckoned with in Europe’s scene, they’ve also seen drum and bass grow worldwide, saying the genre has “absolutely exploded” in recent years.
To the duo, one of the biggest reasons for the genre’s explosion is TikTok, which offers a short-form, fast-paced style of content. “That is where the future of music discovery is heading, and drum and bass has always lived in that energetic space,” T & Sugah stated. “So rather than the genre changing to fit the times, it feels like the times are finally catching up with drum and bass. It will always have peaks and dips, but I think we are entering a long period of strong popularity because the music aligns so well with today’s mindset.”
While the rest of the world is finally catching on to drum and bass, they said the genre has been thriving in the Netherlands for years and “it feels stronger than ever.” They also believe that Amsterdam is up there with other DnB capitals like London, Bristol, Prague, and Perth.
However, as the genre continues to reach wider audiences, T & Sugah stressed the importance of making sure the culture at its core is not lost in the process. “What matters most now is preserving the soul of the genre, because popularity can sometimes dilute what makes a scene special,” they shared.
T & Sugah pointed to their home country’s rave scene as an example of the positive effect growing popularity can have on the culture. “Here, though, we see the opposite happening,” the duo said. “The community remains deeply connected, from fans to artists to promoters. There is a healthy balance of big shows and intimate grassroots events, and those smaller gatherings are vital. They keep the culture authentic and ensure the scene continues to grow in the right way.”
When asked how they feel about the future of drum and bass, their response was positive. Although its evolution is impossible to map out, DnB feels uniquely suited to an increasingly fast-paced world.
The future of drum and bass looks very bright. Music is getting faster, people are living faster, the world is evolving faster, and our genre fits right into that rhythm. At the same time, everything in music moves in cycles. As drum and bass becomes more extreme, there will eventually be a shift back toward the roots in some way. You can never predict the exact direction, but these patterns repeat. It keeps the genre alive, refreshing itself while still staying true to what made it powerful in the first place.
T & Sugah
As both artists and label owners, T & Sugah have gotten a front row seat to the genre’s ever-evolving sonic landscape. They say they are constantly exposed to new music, which informs them of which trends are taking off and which new directions the genre may take next. Building on that energy, the duo said they are always looking for new faces to support and that platforming the newer generation’s ideas is part of the job they “genuinely enjoy.”
T & Sugah expressed their enthusiasm for the new wave of drum and bass talent, saying they are “young, ambitious, and pushing boundaries in their own ways.” When asked if any DnB artists have caught their attention lately, they pointed to Skiye, El Pablo, Oko, and Atmos, saying “they are not only innovating in terms of sound, but also in how they approach music promotion and audience engagement.”
Before they left, T & Sugah spun a mix that reflects who they are as artists today. It’s a mix that is heavy yet accessible, rooted in their signature melodic flair. It also showcases the kind of music they love to play and what you could expect from them if you ever catch one of their sets.
The mix we made today reflects who we are as artists. We like to guide listeners through both the heavier and more accessible sides of drum and bass, while always keeping melody and emotion at the forefront. The tracks we included are ones we love performing live, so the set has a club or festival energy to it. It is the closest you can get to standing with us in the crowd during a show. We hope you enjoy the journey, and we look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming performances!
T & Sugah
