The Correspondents

The Correspondents are a London-based electro-swing and swing-hop group active from 2007 to 2020. The act centres on MC Mr Bruce, working with DJ and producer Mr Chuckles, and combines swing samples, hip-hop and electronic production with fast-spoken vocals and dance-focused live performance. Their music is described as “hip hop for the 1930s” and big band music for the 2000s, with references to jazz, pop, swing, electro and electronic sounds.

Formation and style

The group forms in London in November 2007, after Mr Bruce and Mr Chuckles return to the city from university. Before forming the duo, Mr Chuckles develops his sound in Leeds, working with hip-hop, jazz and dance music, while Mr Bruce performs in Edinburgh with drum and bass, breaks and funk. They begin playing parties, then establish a live and recording partnership in a makeshift studio.

The Correspondents build tracks from swing samples, synths and drum loops, creating a sound that mixes vintage dance music with modern production. Their live shows feature rapid-fire vocals, elaborate dancing and a theatrical swing-hop approach.

Performances and reception

The group appears at major UK festivals and venues including Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party, Bestival, Shambala Festival, Lovebox Weekender, The Big Chill Festival and Camden Crawl. They also perform in a wide range of London clubs and arts spaces, including Corsica Studios, Proud Camden, Village Underground, Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club, Notting Hill Arts Club and Camden venues such as The Cobden Club.

They share stages with artists including Florence & The Machine, Lily Allen, Mika, Little Boots, VV Brown, Bat For Lashes, Lazy Habits, Daedalus, Basement Jaxx, Rob Da Bank, Rusko, Kitty Daisy & Lewis, Cuban Brothers, Brass Roots, Jocelyn Brown and Dub Pistols.

Coverage of their performances highlights their live energy, with reviews describing audience reactions to Mr Bruce’s dancing and the duo’s swing-hip-hop sound. They are also noted for performances built around songs such as “I Wanna Be Like You” from The Jungle Book.

Members

The verified membership lists Mr Bruce. The bio identifies the project as a duo with Mr Bruce and Mr Chuckles, with Mr Chuckles as DJ and producer.