SILVA BUMPA

Silva Bumpa is the stage name of Joshua Silva, a Sheffield-born DJ, songwriter and electronic music producer working in UK garage, bassline and speed garage. His music draws on Sheffield’s bassline culture and the legacy of the city’s Niche nightclub, while also using elements associated with 1990s and early-2000s club music and R&B. He begins producing at 15 after downloading Ableton Live and starts out by making dubs and edits before building a wider profile in the UK underground scene.

Style and influences

His sound combines heavy basslines, swung drum patterns, distorted vocals and house-influenced grooves. The influences named around his work include MJ Cole, Artful Dodger and Big Ang, alongside R&B artists Janet Jackson, Amerie and Ne-Yo. He also takes his stage name from Lil Silva and from the “bumpy” DJ mixes he is listening to at the time.

Releases

Silva Bumpa releases tracks on labels including ec2a, ATW Records and Hardline. In 2023 he issues “What About The DJ?” on Locked On Records, and this leads to a five-track EP of the same name in 2024. The EP includes “Passion”, “Songs of Praise” featuring grime MC Capo Lee, “Without U” with vocalist Megan Wroe, “Rock 2 Da Beat” and the title track. Other releases include “Migraine Skank”, “Uh Uh Dub” and “Hey Mr DJ”, as well as appearances on compilations such as HARD13 and Silva Dubz Vol 3.

Aliases and label work

He also records under the names Badstar, Spirit Of Da Underground and Illustrious Badboys. He runs the label Sterling Records (STERLING), which issues vinyl edits of classics and releases connected to his aliases.

DJ work and live sets

As a DJ, Silva Bumpa is known for energetic sets that move across bassline, breaks, house and garage. In 2024 he records a Fresh Kicks mix for DJ Mag, including selections from producers such as Bushbaby and Main Phase alongside rare white labels from Sheffield record shops. He launches the “Silva Bumpa Presents” residency at Hope Works in Sheffield in November 2023.

Performances and appearances

He makes his Boiler Room debut in Liverpool in 2024 alongside Skream and Benga. His live schedule includes Mint Festival in Leeds, 23 Degrees x Locked On in London, Hope Works in Sheffield, clubs in Manchester and the main stage at Croatia’s Outlook Festival. He also undertakes a headline tour of Australia and New Zealand and later plays across Europe and North America, including CYNT in Copenhagen, all-night sets in Birmingham, dates in Miami and Los Angeles, and shows in Vancouver.