Kode9 is the recording name of Steve Goodman, a UK DJ and producer from Glasgow, Scotland. Born in 1973, he is associated with dubstep and UK garage and is identified with the South London dubstep scene.

He is known for his work with MC the Spaceape, also credited as Daddi Gee, and for founding Hyperdub, a label that becomes one of the key outlets for dubstep and related music. Along with Pinch, he is one of the few producers active at the start of dubstep who is not from Croydon.

Early releases and club work

Kode9 takes influence from jungle, dub, drum and bass and the emerging 2step garage scene, which he describes as part of the “hardcore continuum”. His first tune, “99”, appears on Katasonix. In 2000 and 2001 he hosts the Hyperdub sessions in London, which is presented as an early club night pushing the dubstep sound.

In 2002 he releases “Fat Larry’s Skank” on Tempa, followed by “Babylon” on the same label. He also appears on Rephlex’s Grime 2 compilation in 2004.

Hyperdub, radio and mixes

After founding Hyperdub, Kode9 releases two albums and appears on mix series including Dubstep Allstars and DJ Kicks. He also holds a residency at FWD>> and presents a weekly show on Rinse.

Writing and academic work

Outside performance and production, Steve Goodman develops a philosophy of music and sonic culture. He holds a PhD in philosophy from the University of Warwick and works as a Lecturer in Music Culture in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of East London. His book Sonic Warfare: Sound, Affect, and the Ecology of Fear is published by MIT Press in 2009.