Virus Syndicate

Virus Syndicate

Virus Syndicate are a Manchester grime group active since 2005. The line-up includes MC JSD, MC Nika D, DJ MRK1 and MC Goldfinger, and the project begins as a quartet before continuing with different configurations. JSD is David Hindley, Nika D is Nikhil Nagarkar, MRK1 is MarkOne and Mark Foster, and Goldfinger is Marvin McKenzie.

Origin and formation

The group starts at a youth centre on the south side of Manchester, where its members use the facilities at Fielden Campus to write and produce music and lyrics. The campus specialises in classes for adults, school dropouts and university students taking extra courses. The members first work separately and then begin collaborating.

Style and activity

Virus Syndicate are associated with grime, dubstep and drum and bass, and their sound centres on a fusion of dubstep and grime. They also work in rap and hip-hop contexts. The group supplies vocal parts on early solo recordings by Mark One.

Releases and collaborations

Since the 2017 EP The Mancunian Way on Disciple Records, Virus Syndicate release multiple projects on the label. They collaborate with artists including Virtual Riot, Dodge & Fuski, Barely Alive and Infekt.

Recognition

The Daily Telegraph describes the group as among the strongest British MC acts since the first Dizzee Rascal album.