Insomniac, the label founded from the strobe-lit mayhem of warehouse raves meant to harness the raw energy of breakbeat, hardcore, and underground bass, launches its most uncompromising imprint yet with Speaker Freaker. Speaker Freaker nods to the underground while sending up a flare for whats next, rooted in 1990s rave culture but wired for the future.
Nighthawk opens the gates, the high-octane debut from King of the Beats, a powerhouse trio comprising breakbeat veterans Krafty Kuts, Plump DJs, and Freestylers. Driven by a sub-rattling low-end, the track charges ahead with chopped drum patterns, distorted synths, and hypnotic vocal stabs. From producers who helped define the sound, this is a masterclass in rave design.
Every artist has a strong pedigree. Brighton’s Krafty Kutsoften, also known as the King of Breaks, has worked with Fatboy Slim and The Prodigy and released music on OWSLA, Fabric, Southern Fried, and DMC. His impact spans decades as he is famed for his precise turntable skills and a mix of hip-hop, funk, and breakbeat.
London’s Plump DJs have been at the forefront of club culture for more than 20 years. Their DJ sets and recordings from Fabric to Glastonbury to Coachella blend funk, house, and breakbeat into a dynamic, genre-defying sound that has had a worldwide influence as founders of Finger Lickin Records.
Finishing up the team, Freestylers give a tough, battle-proven attitude. Having UK chart success and cult-classic albums on “Freskanova” and “Against The Grain,” they have tracks in films including Dude, Where’s My Car? and Zoolander, played on Top of the Pops, and toured alongside Lenny Kravitz. Their bass-heavy live performances and genre-hopping have made them underground favorites with enduring influence.
“Nighthawk” condenses years of rave ancestry into one explosive image by King of the Beats. It establishes the tone for Speaker Freaker‘s first release as one intended to highlight musicians who didn’t just imitate the rave formula.
Get it here.
