TuneLab
Champion
Keep Hush Live: Emerald presents
Champion’s Emerald presents set at Keep Hush is a love letter to UK funky and bassline, executed with the precision of someone who lives in the genre’s DNA. At a steady 134.9 BPM average, mostly in 12A, the energy is a controlled stomp—low end dominates at 58%, giving the kicks room to rumble while the mids provide sharp vocal stabs. The mixing is fluid, with long blends that let the percussive elements breathe.
Vato Gonzalez’s ‘Badman Riddim (Jump)’ opens the set with a classic bassline drop, setting the tone for a night of weighty grooves. The peak comes with Tessela’s ‘Hackney Parrot’, a UK funky anthem that still sounds futuristic—its 12-minute runtime allows Champion to layer in other elements, but he wisely lets the track ride. Raw Vybes’ ‘DPMO’ is a hidden gem, with its grime-influenced vocal and aggressive bassline, while Acid Sisters’ ‘The Acidpass’ brings a ravey 303 squelch that cuts through the low-end.
Funky Dee’s ‘Are You Gonna Bang Doe?’ closes the set with a cheeky sample that feels like a nod to the crowd: yes, we are. Champion never forces a peak—he builds the energy through repetition and subtle shifts, making this a set for dancers, not head-nodders. It’s a reminder that UK funky is still alive, still vital, and still the best thing to happen to 134BPM.