6Blocc

6Blocc, also known as R.A.W., is a Los Angeles-based DJ and producer associated with drum and bass, dubstep, jungle and ragga jungle. He begins DJing in 1985 and builds a reputation through turntablism, local battles and club and radio work in Los Angeles.

Early work in Los Angeles

He first records in 1988 under the name Project X, releasing two vinyl records with Brooklyn MC Silkski. He also films a music video for one of those releases, which appears on local Los Angeles music video shows. In the same year he joins KDAY, the Los Angeles hip hop radio station, and performs live as part of High Energy Mixmasters alongside other local DJs.

During this period he enters DJ battles against figures including Joe Cooley, Tony A. and JRocc. He also performs as part of the local hip hop and turntablism scene before the wider modern DJ culture is established.

Jungle and rave work

In 1991 he begins playing UK hardcore and jungle records in Los Angeles after the style starts appearing in local dance shops. With help from DJ Dan, he performs at major raves and underground events across the west coast, combining jungle, hip hop, turntablism and hardcore sounds.

In 1994 he, DJ Curious and DJ Trance, also known as Jason Blakemore, start Jungle!, described as Los Angeles’ first jungle weekly. It takes place at the Belmont Tunnel, an abandoned train station in Los Angeles, and becomes a key place for hearing dark jungle and related sounds on the west coast.

Battles, production and releases

By the mid-1990s he tours internationally with his jungle sets. In 1997 he wins the West L.A. Music DJ Battle, judged by DJ Quik. He also produces two sample CDs for a Japanese sound design company, Drum and Bass Ammo and Hip Hop Ammo, both sold with the Roland SP-808 in Japan.

His productions appear on labels including Warner Bros., Thrive, Priority, Mictlan, Tonz of Drumz, N2O, Thermal, Vortex and Sound Sphere. He works with E-Sassin on a Sound Sphere release, and his catalogue grows to more than 50 vinyl releases, along with many mixtapes and mix CDs. Tracks associated with him include Passin Me By Remix, Klash, Jah Rise, Ragga 2001, Mathematical Chemistry and Monkey Business.

Shift to dubstep and Digital 6

In 2006 he turns from drum and bass toward dubstep after hearing a mix by Youngsta. From 2007 he works under the 6Blocc name and releases music on labels including Lo Dubs, N2O, Tribe Steppaz UK, Bootshake UK, La Dubstep Nostra and War Recordings. He manages his digital label Digital 6 and continues to issue dubstep remixes and originals.

He also compiles and mixes Analog Clash for Lo Dubs, described as a dubstep release that includes material from artists across the Americas and a remix from Vex’d. The name 6Blocc comes from a Masta Ace lyric about bass being heard from six blocks away.