What Makes Something Jungle? | Resident Advisor

It was the University Challenge moment that became a meme. Amol Rajan’s response to a contestant on the subject of Jungle. Resident Advisor have put out a 13 minute video based off of this memorable moment that asks a genuine question- What makes something Jungle?

The phrase ‘Jungle’ appeared in rave records all the way back in 1991 (Noise Factory) and became more prominent in 1992 (Manix, Good, 2bad & Hugely, The Moog). In fact the term ‘Drum and Bass’ popped up on the Experience album version of ‘Charly’ by The Prodigy and once again, Noise Factory who sampled a line from Musical Youth on ‘Be Free.’

But this short video delves deeper into the influence of the Windrush generation through Soundsystem culture (Dubplates, MCs), Dancehall Reggae and classic Soul, Funk and Rare Groove.

The video touches on the practice of sampling and sequencing drums from old funk songs and the integral part it plays in Jungle to this day. The US influence of House and Techno is also touched upon in a thought piece that goes along way in answering the question.