United By Breakbeat: Weekly community DJ showcase #1

United by Breakbeat (UBB) is a drum and bass DJ collective that includes artists and broadcasters from around the world – it is an open enrollment Twitch team founded by Christopher Goodacre (a.k.a. Guddah) that focuses on increasing the visibility and reach of it’s members. The team offers help getting a stream started, tips on using Open Broadcasting Software (OBS) and other tools, troubleshooting, promotion, community raid trains (a way to pass viewers from one artist to the next), and now a weekly community DJ showcase. As Twitch has grown and changed in the last few years the discoverability of new DJs (even if they are veterans offline) has been a challenge – there is almost no way to grow on the platform without some sort of help, and retaining viewership can be a difficult game. That being said, there are many things that the platform provides that can’t be found anywhere else: the openness of being able to essentially play whatever music you want, the gamification of the interaction, and the strength of the community. It’s also really fun to see the creativity of individuals come through in their broadcasting style, visual choices, and knowledge outside of music.

Guddah has spent the majority of his time on Twitch lately building a community of dnb DJs, creating a space on the channel and within Discord to share ideas and promote, and creating real-life opportunities for meet-ups and community days. When he is not focusing on creating content for his own stream, he is pushing other artists work, helping streamers optimize and setup their streams, and “endlessly sorting music” – this openness and dedication I have seen firsthand help numerous streamers get started, comfortable, and start broadcasting. When it comes to Dance music communities in general, the Twitch massive is one of the most supportive, interesting, and inspiring groups of people I have come across. As any viewer hears on Guddah’s stream, there are many talented DJs on Twitch who have worked hard to perfect their craft, and deserve the exposure and promotion that larger platforms have to provide.

This weekly showcase has enrollment for the hour-long slots open to any UBB member, and any dnb DJ on Twitch can instantly become a UBB member on their Discord. While these sign-ups are open, there is a general theme each week to promote continuity throughout the four-hour party. In the future, there will be a discord call for people to interact with one another if they choose during the show, mirroring the format for Inside The Ride, Billy Lane (916junglist)’s long running raid train showcase (format used with permission).

The premier of this weekly showcase featured four DJs that represent the heavy, tech-y side of drum and bass, with a large dose of neurofunk and associated sub-genres. This initial lineup was put together extremely well in terms of style and flow between the artists, each one bringing unique style, technology, and approach to mixing the music.

Every week I will summarize each performance, provide a short biography of each artist based on their submission questionnaire, and provide information about forthcoming shows, sign-ups, and membership perks. The full recording of these showcases will be available on Guddah’s YouTube channel.

First performer: d34d b34t

d34d b34t hails from Fresno, California and specializes in dark styles of drum and bass including techstep, technoid, neurofunk, and dark jungle. His mixes carry a strong narrative that provides an overarching phrasing for his listeners to follow, flowing between each section with intent. He got started streaming by watching Bad Syntax record his podcast for Best Drum and Bass live on Twitch and realized there was a community of people playing this music and wanted to share his ideas.

Citing influences like the classic ‘Circles’ by Adam F and Dieselboy’s ‘A Soldier’s Story’, his love for drum and bass started at a young age, dissecting mixes and searching for tracks therein until he understood how mixing worked, and how his favorite artists were crafting these stories.

From the questionnaire:

Music had always been a big part of my life. I began making mix tapes and at 15 I got my first pair of decks. I had no one to teach me and I never really played a proper set until I was 20. By then I had switched to digital and played house parties for a couple years. Life happened and I lost a lot of my library and equipment. Fast forward to 2019 and I started to learn production but still had the itch to lay down a mix. Supported by my brother I decided to get back to it and started again with Traktor, eventually I moved over to Pioneer 2 years later.

 

I got so involved with the music and started writing articles which led me to Bad Syntax and all the Twitch drum and bass fam. I love this music and to be able to share my selections and mixes with all you like I had imagined at a young age is dream come true.

 

Dieselboy and Andy C are my main influencers as a DJ, their selections and blends in my opinion were unmatched at the time. Even today it’s hard to hear a mix that boasts technical skill in drum and bass. Of course I can’t leave out the artist that got me into electronic music, The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers, and The Crystal Method along with many others!

 

I love being the DJ at a house party with close friends and everyone enjoying those moments together, being up all night and doing it all again the next day!

Top three favorite tracks of all time: Kemal – ‘Bleed’, Konflict – ‘Messiah’, and Noisia – ‘Stigma’.

Opening his set with big neuro blends mixed with shuddering double drops, d34d b34t starts the journey with a bang. Moving into a well established groove featuring a showcase of techstep smoothness, the funk comes through in the neurofunk clearly before building slowly to the next section. Showing off new and forthcoming music from cutting edge neurofunk labels, the middle section nudges the tempo higher and brings the energy and heaviness along with it. Closing with some insanely heavy blends, d34d b34t works some magic with a ‘Firestarter’ remix that pays great homage to one of his favorites.

d34d b34t Twitch d34d b34t FB d34d b34t SC

Second performer: DJ Acidion

Acidion is another US-based artist this time from Montgomery, Alamaba who focuses heavily on neurofunk and mixing in the three and four deck style. His blends and creative mashups are absolutely legendary and he has an ability to mix at an energy level consistently seemingly forever, utilizing recognizeable classics flipped upside down as well as esoteric remixes that keep the flavor of his mixes fresh every time. As “just a guy who likes music and wants to share it”, and with the Pendulum smash-hit “Slam” at the introduction to this artist’s dnb journey, it’s no wonder he puts time into making sure his sets are full of interesting, eccentric music as well as bangers from start to finish!

Shouting out streamers such as Polymathic, Nox, Crackindomes, and Guddah as influences to start streaming Acidion grabbed some secondhand gear, and with inspiration and very little mixing knowledge began to grind towards the impressive broadcast he has today.

From the questionnaire:

I’ve always enjoyed finding good music and sharing it with people, but I didn’t start officially DJing until spring of 2022. I was sent a link to a refurbished Traktor S2, and the price was right. Since then, I’ve spent a lot of time watching the fantastic selection of DJs here on Twitch, and trying to get in at least one mix a week to improve and try new things.

 

Seeing what streamers like Guddah and Polymathic were able to do with their streams inspired me to work towards providing the best stream experience that I can.

 

My most memorable moment DJing so far has been people asking me to do things like this celebration for Pegasus/showcase for UBB. I definitely came at DJing with a “I’m just a guy that likes music and want to share it” perspective, so having that be noticed and reciprocated through the community is something I’d never have imagined.

Top three favorite tracks of all time: Gydra – ‘Ikra’ (Jade Venom remix), Stonx – ‘No Funk No Soul’, Mizo – ‘Grim Hollow’.

Acidion’s set goes straight into the action, opening with triple drop after triple drop using his signature sound of remixes, classics, and new drops. This mix has a really nice continuity to each section, keeping the energy high with big builds and consistent flow in the overall groove. This artist spends a lot of time digging into individual artist catalogs to find some of the lesser known work, looking for that specific sound or groove to fit each blend. By the midsection with a Vengaboys mix, a Rick Astley mix, among other all-time slammers, if you’re not hooked, you’re not listening. Super clean and fun set from Acidion.

DJ Acidion linktree

Third performer: m4ud3y

Calling the beautiful New Zealand home, m4ud3y spins vinyl dnb with a techstep sauce that runs deep – his collection is absolutely chock full of rarities and classic tunes. While he has a distinct focus on dnb, he plays a variety of styles on his stream including trance, breaks, and liquid. Early influences include Andy C’s Nightlife 2 and Dieselboy’s 6th Session, which over many listens made m4ud3y fall in love with the fast paced, dark sound of his music.

Some of the main influences he draws from now are Trace, Ed Rush and Optical, Concord Dawn, Bulletproof (RIP), Black Sun Empire, DSC14, and Bad Company – a list of techstep heavy hitters that cannot be matched. His streams are always a treat because the audience gets to enjoy looking through his collection of tunes as much as he does, often holding up white labels and original pressings of tunes that can’t be found!

From the questionnaire:

It started back around 2009 when i acquired some SL1200 mk2s and a mixer from a friend,a pile of records on loan,followed by a mate giving me an FM transmitter and saying what can we do with this haha?? Ended up with a way over powered station (106.8 MASH FM) playing long sessions of dnb with no adds whatsoever off a pc running win amp . Life changed and all thats left from that is the transmitter. Went through some big changes in my life and then i discovered twitch. I saw all these djs at home having a mix online and lots of fun chat just before the first pandemic I acquired a DDJ-SX2 and well back into…..found some more SL1200 mk2s and a healthy vinyl addiction.

 

I had no idea how to mix let alone beat match and so over the last 3 plus years ive been steadily improving my ability too beat match by ear and learn more about the tracks im playing and what works together and what doesn’t. Ive now played over in Perth Western Australia on a friends twitch channel and seen the legendary Char DJ play live at her placeand out at a Venue.

 

Ive also gt a some local djs I catch up with and play records with and a local Australia-New Zealand dj only raid train on Twitch every thursday. Ive played a few low key events but I am coming to the UK in June 2025 and have some twitch shows lined up and the UBB event as well. What djing and collecting music has taught me is perseverance,how to fail gracefully and that music has woven its way through my life (since I can remember)and dnb has been my greatest love musically ever.

 

Fun fact: I worked as local roady for Barton Sounds back in the day (mid 90s) and met Pantera and Sepultura with there original line ups.

Top three favorite tracks of all time: Kemal – ‘Messiah’, Concord Dawn – ‘Cloud City’, Trace – ‘Sonar’.

Opening with an absolute classic from Concord Dawn, this set touts incredible blends from start to finish. The ability of vinyl artists to keep the energy an flow going in the mix is amazing to me, and to program and mix in key like m4ud3y has done is nothing short of impressive. This one is like a journey through time and the world of drum and bass, twisting rhythms from across the extensive timeline of heavy, jungle, and melodic drum and bass music. m4ud3y told me that some of his initial love of this music came from the forward thinking dark dnb of the early 2000’s USDNB scene, and you can hear the uptempo drive throughout each mix. He does a great job mixing in modern sounds with the classics though, and really takes the audience to school in this broadcast.

m4ud3y Twitch m4ud3y IG

Fourth performer: Fouria

From Hungary, Fouria brings something really special to the table with her mixing. Her depth of knowledge in dnb music is incredible, and as such has an appreciation for all things dnb – you will hear something suprising and interesting every single time you hear her mix. Most of the time you will hear her mixing technical, heavy and chaotic drum and bass that teeters on the insane – once this energy shows up in the set it doesn’t drop for anyone.

Fouria shared main influences coming from dark and tech-y producers/DJs such as Technical Itch, Proket, Current Value, Raiden, Limewax, SPL, C-Netik, Fragz, and Katharsys, shaping her love for raw, heavy-hitting sounds. She also appreciates the artists that “push the boundaries of sound design and creativity”, like The Upbeats, Konflict, The Sect, Black Sun Empire, Noisia, Mefjus, and Phace for the “energy, precision, and unique approaches to production” in how they shaped her style.

From the questionnaire:

I first discovered Drum and Bass in the early 2000s, drawn in by its high-energy beats and deep, rolling basslines. The first mix I ever heard was a Konflict set on cassette, and from the moment I pressed play, I was hooked. The intensity, the flow, the sheer energy of it all—it was unlike anything I had heard before. That moment sparked a passion that has only grown stronger over the years, turning into a lifelong love for the genre.

 

I’ve always been drawn to the world of music—to create something of my own and share it with others. Making people happy with what makes me happy has always been the goal.

 

It all started when I bought my first controller and began practicing. I’ve been mixing tunes since 2021. I had minimal guidance, so I figured things out mostly on my own. At first, I made mixes just for myself, but soon I started recording and uploading them to SoundCloud. Eventually, with some encouragement from others, I took a leap and started streaming on TikTok. About two years later, I considered Twitch, though at first, I hesitated, thinking it wouldn’t work out. But I’m so glad I gave it a shot. Twitch introduced me to an incredible community, and it’s been amazing to see people tuning in, looking forward to my sets—sometimes even using my streams to get through tough days.

 

Then came a turning point: GIIDUP MUSIC noticed my mixes and invited me to join the label. This year, we’re kicking off a collaborative project focused on music production. Along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to create guest mixes for Raving Panda, BrainRave, and both Hungarian and international radio stations. And this week, I’m working on a guest mix for Machine Code, featuring music from their upcoming album, set to release in March. It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I’m excited to see where it takes me next.

 

I started streaming as a way to share my passion for Drum and Bass with a wider audience. At first, I was just recording mixes for myself and uploading them, but with some encouragement, I decided to try going live on TikTok. It was a big step, but it quickly became something I loved doing. About two years later, I considered streaming on Twitch, though at first, I was hesitant—I wasn’t sure if it would work out. But once I took the plunge, I realized how much of a game-changer it was. Twitch introduced me to an amazing community, and it’s been incredible to see people tuning in regularly, connecting through music, and even telling me that my sets helped them through tough days. Streaming has become a key part of my journey, allowing me to connect with like-minded people and keep pushing my loved sound further.

Top three favorite tracks of all time: Signal to Noise – ‘Nanobugs’, Proket – ‘Locomotive’, Raiden & Current Value – ‘RM Bleeps’.

Fouria’s mix suprised everyone this week, starting with a collection of deep liquid and soulful cuts that built the anticipation for the harder music to come immediately. She expertly moves through a deeper, more tech-y section, increasing the energy in the percussion slowly and adding more crunch as the tempo slowly rises until one of her blends finally opens up into a huge heavy drop. And we’re off! Her performance is exciting from start to finish, pulling tons of tracks i have never heard into her chaotic blend of crossbreed, neuro, and dark tech. You can see the artist start to get more and more pumped up as the broadcast rolls on with the gunfingers coming out and the drops hitting faster. This was a really entertaining and enjoyable set.

Absolutely one of the best heavy DJs on twitch.

Fouria IG Fouria FB  Fouria TikTok Fouria SC Fouria YouTube

You can watch the UBB DJ showcase every Saturday from 16:00 GMT – 22:30 GMT (10AM CST, 8AM PST) on Guddah’s twitch channel! The weekly recap will be available right here on Best Drum and Bass in the following days of each broadcast.

If you are a Twitch streamer that is interested in getting involved with UBB, ask about signups at one of the showcases and a team member will invite you to the discord and add you to the Twitch team. Membership is open to everyone who streams drum and bass on twitch in any capacity. This community aims to build each other up and provide an even platform for people to share knowledge. It is a safe space to discuss streaming as well as real life issues, with a member list full of compassionate and interesting creative people who are full of drive for this music.

Until the next showcase, we hope to see you soon!

Guddah’s Twitch