Roni Size 'Brown Paper Bag' | The Making Of A Drum & Bass Classic

[@DJMag]

Who else would you like to see on the series? 👇

[@sidwallace6053]

In the same vein,surely Massive Attack or Goldie

[@eltel69]

LTJ Bukem - Horizons

[@BSEmadcow]

Mauro picotto - Communication

[@EduardoFGomez-kc7gr]

High Contrast- If We Ever

[@DjSystemD]

Ganja Kru Super Sharp Shooter would be nice 😉

[@scottv1781]

I was 14 years old when Brown Paper Bag came on the radio here in Australia. My mum was driving me to school and I remember clear as day it was like a lightbulb going on in my ears and mind. I’d never heard anything like it before, and from that day I was a Junglist. I’m 41 years old now and still go to gigs when the dons come out to Aus - all because of this one record. Drumnbass for life.

[@liquidpodcast]

Drum & Bass for Life Brother ✌️

[@ImNealHunt]

I'm 43. I think roni size turned me into a jungles too.

[@Legoboygago]

@@liquidpodcast Amém!!!

[@McNoiseboy]

I waited years to see RSR and finally it happened at a music festival in Perth, WA. We had guest passes so were right down the front. It was magic!

[@JamInPeace]

ma man

[@Putersdcat]

Learning that Roni Size came out of a youth center is mind blowing, what an amazing testament to just believe in kids and support them and they will be alright.

[@mkhdnimg]

It's a crying shame. The area that I live in (South West) hasn't had any form of youth center in over 20 years after the council began interfering and forcing costs on them they couldn't afford. I learned to DJ at my youth center (South East) and it helped me form social connections with kids from other schools etc. It was an amazing place. It's about time they started making a comeback.

[@Trixtah]

Yeah, so glad he paid tribute to those schemes, and of course those the things govts cut first for cheap political points-scoring about "wastefulness". And yet, if you want to measure "worth" just by money, now many millions did that album earn? How many people visited Bristol for the music scene that came from him and all those other acts? I honestly travelled to the other side of the world - to Bristol - because of that music. How many thousands upon thousand people did the same? Maybe most haven't travelled so far, but Bristol city certainly gained back a lot more from tourism and hospitality and arts trades than the amount that they spent on those youth centre grants.

[@BengaliMartyMcfly]

That was normal back in the day bruv. I’m an old dude and have been a working a musician since the late 90s. Youth centres used to be a great place to find talent 🔥⚡️

[@Boric78]

Okay so one of the reasons music is shite now is they closed the youth centre's or reduced their funding. Arseholes the lot of them. British DnB and Garage has done more for the country then any of their lagging careers ever did.

[@RichRobinson]

100%. Shame community stuff is dying. I’m in the SW too, btw.

[@TheFlush1980]

Roni Size, Goldie, Adam F, Grooverider, Photek, Jonny L. Drum ‘n Bass was so delicious back then. New Forms is such an iconic album.

[@mattsmyth8193]

Don’t forget LTJ Bukem ;)

[@dasnutnock6408]

@@mattsmyth8193 Bukem & Omi Trio were my gateway drugs 👍

[@VojtechRozsival]

@@dasnutnock6408 And Peshay!

[@PaulinoEstela]

@@mattsmyth8193I came to comment the same, glad to see another one did it first

[@DeltaTenNZ]

@@dasnutnock6408 Omni Trio and Aquasky for me (First Contact from Omni and Spectre from Aquasky were my introductions to both, early 2000's, hooked from that moment on.)

[@jameshawe]

Rah Roni looks younger now than he did in 97!!!! What a banger brown paper bag is

[@randallross420]

Bro aged so well.

[@lee4318]

lol he kept that special device that stopped time in the video...

[@ChrisSmout]

This isn't just the making of a classic, this is the history of a bonafide drum and bass don. Big up Roni, Reprazent and Full Cycle for all they have done for the scene.

[@gjallahorn4086]

Needs Goldie in it then, innit.

[@adamcox81]

knew nothing about this guy before seeing this, what a brilliant, likeable guy. That donation story about youth-centres really resonated. More people like this on our planet please.

[@jacksmith4460]

I'm from Bristol and about 4 or 5 years younger than Roni Size. The basement project he was on about was brilliant, so much of the Bristol sound was connected to that project. That's how powerful these kind of things are....they make new genres/music scenes, which is no mean feat and of course this creates careers for kids in the inner city

[@IrregularShed]

I went to school with Dynamite MC. I used to sit behind him in Spanish and we got lumped together in groups for a few other lessons. Then, years later, in another part of the world, I bought Brown Paper Bag because it felt and sounded SO good. And then, shortly after, I bumped into a mutual friend and discovered that Dominic Smith was having an amazing life, and I'd been playing the evidence of it on repeat for months. 27 years on, it's still perfect. I'm just off to play Newforms now that you've reminded me.

[@Rai_S82]

I had a re-listen to New Forms a couple of weeks ago! It still holds up!

[@Tu-eY]

Always good to hear from a Saintbridge lad. Hope you are well.

[@rosiebridgeman7913]

​@@Rai_S82always on my playlist, amazing album

[@piersmitchem-d6e]

I love listening to brilliant people talk about their work with so much passion. The way Roni’s eyes light up when he tells his story of how he put this classic tune together…it’s like listening to a chef describing his all-time favourite recipe. Massive respect to you Roni. A true legend.

[@vinizzlevinizzle6131]

Growing up in Bristol at that time and starting to listen to jungle, this dropped hard in 96/97 when I turned 18! There was nothing like it. Completely different to anything else coming out from London/Brum. It was such a clean, crisp sound - the coming of age for DnB. Mercury music awards was the cherry. The next five years or so hitting the underground clubs and festivals in Bristol was absolutely phenomenal - Ashton court, Trinity, Lakota, Club Loco, Powerhouse, Blue Mountain, Cafe Blue, Level 31. The atmosphere and the crowd were the only drugs you needed to dance your ass off until 4-6am. Quality times! Playing to thr home crowd was always so hyper. Thanks for rhe memories Roni, Onnalee, Dynamite, Reprazent, Krust, Die, Full Cycle, Planet V

[@marcolearmont9880]

I was in my early 20’s during this time and living in Bristol from 94-2000. You’re right. It was the best times, the best clubs, everything was unique and Bristol was the heart of the underground scene. I live in America now and they’ve no idea how groundbreaking it all was. Good times my friend! 👊

[@MackDonald]

Me and some friends road tripped from St. Louis to see Reprezent in Chicago at the House of Blues. They killed it live and when the show was over, they closed the curtains on the stage then Roni, Die, Krust and Suv went up in the balcony and tag teamed a set on the decks for another hour or two. The whole place turned into a rave. One of the best shows ever!

[@youtubecreators34TBeans]

Banger of a tune... and his story shows why youth groups and music are so important to help young people have access to.

[@squareinsquare2078]

As an Irish lad more than two decades ago, Roni and D'n'B were integral in our lives. Big up to all the Switch heads back in the day in Dublin! Much love brothers and sisters, we owned it!

[@kayneliluisang9455]

97 my big brother had New Forms, knew more about DNB than i did, listened to it a bit, yeah ok. My older friend called me, oh want to go see Roni Size. Yeah ok. I'm 17 and last gig we went to was Roots(mind blowing). Managed to get in, 4 of us, week night. The Arches, Glasgow. I'll never attend a better gig ever. The show and after party. Jewel like moment in time. Went to school the next day with my ears ringing. 💋

[@richardkovanda7578]

Check out In The Mode too mate!

[@RobertMunro-wb6jb]

I saw represent in 99 and I know what you mean the performance was perfect

[@philwildcroft1764]

I saw them supporting Primal Scream in a tent in Victoria Park in 1997 - not the easiest gig and they absolutely killed it.

[@Lostin2024]

These mini documentaries are fantastic!! Please keep these coming 😊

[@DJMag]

Glad you like them!

[@ZoneOne2150]

A tiesto, Oakenfold and Armin docu would be great!

[@garyessonmusic]

I would love to see Masters At Work discussing one of their classic tracks ​@@DJMag

[@FLiNToN77]

What a legend. So amazingly humble and talented. A true pioneer and legend of the scene. What he did with the full cycle crew was, and still is unparalleled.

[@GwriPennar]

The tune is so so good, it's dark, moody, seriously fresh at the time - sounding so good now. Nothing like it, it breaks through. The key of none - that so true. How? no idea.

[@mrvertigo73]

1997. I was at Lakota witnessing the launch show for New Forms. Live drum n bass, with Si John on bass and Roni, Krust, Dynamite, Clive Deamer. Absolutely one of the best love experiences of my life, and I have been to thousands of gigs. Thank you Roni for being such an innovator

[@TallAlex1]

I was there too- I was working the stage just setting up the sound system and mics, etc, they had their own sound engineers. They had to reset all the levels 3 times during sound check as everyone had everything too loud- we put 14 kilowatts of stage monitors in for that. Was a memorable gig. Passed my driving test the next day after 4 hours sleep. The 90s were great, eh?

[@PaulinoEstela]

@@TallAlex1hahaha geat story, loving our loud 90s ❤

[@ergophonic]

They hit the nail on the head in Human Traffic when they said "Roni Size is the bollocks!"

[@Manna515]

😮human traffick😮

[@ianeire]

So modest, sweet and generous. This tune and video lodged in my memory from the time it came out. So glad to see he has kept on doing so well. An exemplary person.

[@bikingnutcase0]

Brown Paper Bag was the first Drum & Bass track I ever heard, played to my by my friend from his computer when I was a student in the early 2000's. It kickstarted a love of Drum&Bass, Jungle, Breakbeat, and electronic dance music generally that is stronger than ever twenty years later! Thankyou Roni Size!

[@fanusamurai]

Most of the formative DNB tunes were made in the 90s, and this is no exception. All da crew must big up!

[@silvercloud1641]

Always in my rotation.

[@Karmen.Gregory]

Big uP Fanu !! 🔊🔊💀🤍

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

Now big up wid your chest, no matter where you come from, come from , come from !!!

[@getthecandies]

"Most of the formative DNB tunes were made in the 90s" Kind of like how all those great renaissance paintings came out during the 16th century 🤣

[@silvercloud1641]

@@getthecandies The Americas need a renaissance.

[@antichris78]

He’s still got the excitement talking about it after all these years! That’s passion. Awesome to see, and what a classic❤

[@heathersmith394]

Fantastic video, great to hear the creative story of brown paper bag. Such a talented and humble person. Big up youth clubs, Britain is a sorry place without them.

[@therob3672]

Roni is the absolute best. Such an honour that he chose Toronto to shoot the video for Brown Paper Bag which is a masterpiece. I could not love this more ❤

[@edpopelas2844]

Every piece in that tune flowed so beautifully. I’ve heard it a thousand times and never get tired of hearing it. It’s a timeless classic.

[@sybamunki]

Saw them at Reading Festival. 2 drummers and a double bass player. Blew me away!

[@Apexsilverevo]

I don't care what anyone says, this song goes fucking HARD. I'd venture to say that a rerelease now in 2024 would get so much love. The DnB mixed with a fire-ass rap is something that will always carry so much energy and effectively be timeless.

[@AlFrash84]

Newforms is an album that within its own genre stands the test of time - it is impeccably produced, arranged and crafted. It will never not sound fresh. BUT. Beyond that, it functions on different plane entirely. Roni Size and Reprazent took their myriad influences - hip hop, jungle, funk, jazz, electronica, whatever else passed through their scene - and fused them into something utterly unique. Newforms sounds alien and familiar at the same time. Approachable but minimalistic. Funky but detached. It sucks you in, hypnotises you and then spits you out the other side when it's finished with you. A piece of music that could only come from post-war Britain, but looks outwardly across other oceans, times and even dimensions. It's a masterpiece, and for that I thank Roni and the guys.

[@Small_Seasoned_Curlies]

It never seems to age!… A fantastic album.

[@sneakuhatx9464]

This tune is still such a bop today. I’ve loved it since day one. They killed it with this one.

[@stevesidebottom]

What a nice bloke. And that tune is still an absolute banger.

[@frederikvanhoutte7133]

Big up to Rony Size! As a musician, he shook my world upside down... I was totally into Rock, not interested in House or Techno, then RS grapped me by the throat with Reprezant. I digged that early d'nb/jungle scene and I was STUNNED by the creativity and the sound! THX RONI, THX KRUST, THX TO ALL PIONEERS OF THE GENRE, YOU GUYS MADE ME A DIFFERENT MUSICIAN

[@tombyrnerocks]

There's an innocent, almost child-like naivety to Roni's cadence when he talks. Just a good dude, intensely passionate about the music he makes.

[@leebobb8204]

I am 44 and remember going clubbing in Hastings and hearing brown paper bag in 1997. I absolutely went mad for it, I asked the dj for the name of the track. The next day I went to HMV and ordered the single with all the remixes and brought New Forms. This remains the absolutely best album I have ever brought. I always mix this track in my sets on twitch along with a ton of dj marky, high contrast and adam F. But brown paper bag is the king , always will be ! Big up the legend Roni Size !!!

[@lukey1210]

Same age, one nation, slammin, skelter n dreamscape were my favs

[@18Hands]

In my small town, I was in high school when this came out. People were always confused as to what I was listening to, but I couldnt get enough of this track!

[@xannonshirley3805]

Bloody hell he looks great for 54! Legend!

[@kapamoraski]

First time of me hearing "Brown Paper Bag" was through MTV bumpers, and I spent years not knowing what it was, because back at the time drum and bass in Italy was difficult to hear in small towns like mine. When I finally found it I was on cloud 9, and when I could find the whole "New Forms" album I wanted all of my friends to listen to it. Still one of my favs nowadays.

[@Jai_Skorpio]

I remember hearing this for the first time when it came out, and went straight out and bought the single. Played it over and over and over. And I was blown away when I saw the video for the first time - an absolute masterpiece of a video to go with the absolute masterpiece of a track. 👏

[@tlniec]

When this song and video first hit, it felt so fresh and different! I still listen to it all these years later (especially when running/working out).

[@TakeMeBackPirateRadio]

An ambassador and true pioneer of the Jungle and Drum & Bass scene! Bless up Roni! Big up the Full Cycle massive and all the Bristol crew!

[@HisXLNC]

I’ve been listening to Brown Paper Bag now for 20 years. It’s still a banger.

[@bigdaz7272]

What a time, wish i could go back for a few Weeks again and live it again :)

[@Helvetica_Scenario]

I remember seeing the video for this regularly on MTV's Amp back in 97. So much good music on that show.

[@BillLambert]

Nothing but love for Roni and his crew. I first heard them on a D&B compilation, and a few days later I walked out of the music store with New Forms in hand, popped it into my discman right then and there. I still crank Brown Paper Bag and Railing on the big car subs every now and again.

[@kaosimian]

Bristol represent! Ruffneck Ting OG. I was there at that Glastonbury. Skanking in slurry, absolute carnage!

[@Ellis_B]

Quality

[@pbbbht]

Hell yeah. So cool to hear him talk about this track. I've had that album for ages and every once in a while I'll rediscover it in my collection and play it. Every time I'm amazed at how grooving it is. It still sounds cutting edge.

[@joeford454]

Nuff respect to roni size,such an inspirational artist.i remember being in a record shop when music box came on,i got to the counter so fast to get a copy,still one of my favourite roni tunes,i think i played and mix this tune a million times lol,one of the best d&b tune ever made.

[@thoughtscores]

This song was my gateway to the style, and a gateway to making music in general. To hear how Roni started, particularly that community angle, is special. Thank you for this

[@talisheppard6875]

Roni gave me my start in DnB firstly as an inspiration - his music (amongst others) made me fall in love with the scene, and piqued my interest particularly in the 'Bristol sound' and secondly, in discovering me and signing me 20 years ago. For that I will always love him and be eternally grateful to know him and have worked with him :)

[@Karmen.Gregory]

Tali !! 🤍🔊🔊🎤

[@a_changedworld]

Has it been 20 years since then? Feels like yesterday and a different life at the same time.

[@wakeyskate]

I remember my step dad showing me when I was about 10 Roni Size and saying it’s meant to be the next big thing, fast forward 27 years and I’ve got near on 900 records and my decks as my most cherished possessions - thanks Roni!

[@tobysbreathisverybad]

Think I listened to this song about a billion times when it came out. Classic.

[@ArkBgs]

Poland, end of 90's. My first trial of New forms on headphones in a music megastore. There was always lack of money, but this CD was the must. You've changed my life with this stuff. Still got it in my mind, in my soul. Today I'm listening and playing different music, but I'm frequently returning to this album. It is like a relic to me... Greetings from Poland!

[@DiGertsi]

There are a few records that formed and shaped me and my musical taste as a kid. Buying New Forms with Brown Paper Bag from my allowance being absolute in the top 3 of them. Brings back such good memories and always gets me in an ultra creative mindset. The humble and pure attitude of Roni shown here in this mini-doc is amazing. Big up and love from The Netherlands!

[@DrTomoculus]

I was born in England, but lived in America most of my childhood and young adult years. I moved back to England in February 1997. The music scene in England and the rest of the UK was so different than what I'd been hearing in America, and definitely since the start of the 90s. There seemed to be no grunge around. No true alternative. And one of the first things I heard was this. I've loved drum and bass ever since. I honestly left America behind, and totally sunk into England. Roni Size made sense to me. When my son was in nursery, and I'd be holding him, waiting for the bus, I'd always go into a little drum and bass song about waiting for the bus. And he'd laugh, and we'd do a little dance. It's one of the best memories of his childhood I have. His little smile as I was beatboxing at 170 bpm. Thank you Roni Size and Reprazent. You changed my life.

[@RachaelWard-q9w]

Brought me right back. An amazing track but until watching this I never knew what a great guy he was. Complete legend.

[@mrt5684]

Saw them live in the late 90s was mind blowing. It literally blew me away so on point. On stage center you got Roni,Krust and Die surrounded on 3 sides by decks and equipment. You got the drummer and the bass player who are both amazing. Then dynamite and the girl with the amazing voice. Never seen nothing like it

[@TeeNineMusic]

Such a humble person. I remember this track well, when it came out. Glad to have heard the story straight from Mr Roni Size. Thank You for this.

[@stampatron]

10:23 We were there! Turds pumped into the dance tent, it was chaos but the most beautiful kind.

[@Ailexyo]

I saw him live in Chicago. Brown Paper Bag was my fav track at the time. Almost 20y later that show is still in my top 5 sets I've seen ❤

[@PaulCarsonProducer]

What a track this still is to the day. That bassline was revolutionary. When I was making dnb back in the late 90s I always tried to re create that double bass sound.

[@meeeeebs]

Absolutely love the way he speaks about his work!

[@trevor_mounts_music]

I heard Danny Daze play this one in a set recently here in New Orleans, in the middle of a bunch of non-dnb stuff - the crowd all perked up as soon as the bassline came in! It really just does what it says it's gonna do on the box, every single time without fail. 😂

[@DJAUDIO1]

That sounds so epic

[@TakeMeBackPirateRadio]

RIP Skiba I remember him rinsing out 'Brown Paper Bag' when it first dropped at raves and on pirate radio. Big up all the underground DJs and pirate radio stations that plugged this music!

[@BASE5NYC]

Just hears this a few days ago in my Spotify mix.....Songs been hitting for 20 years and it never gets old.

[@lukewilliams6569]

Roni seize & goldie tearing it up back in the day. Good times ❤

[@FabledFrame]

It's great to hear that he's a humble guy, gave back to his roots and appreciates the success.

[@LongPeter]

There’s a lot of music from high school that I just can’t listen to anymore but New Forms overcomes all the sad memories. It’s on my desk right now. I’ll have to listen to it again tomorrow for sure.

[@Curtis3604]

This album still stands up with the best electronic music today. Timeless

[@Nozes..]

This series is GOLD! Thank you @DJ Mag.

[@synthclub]

So many memories, dancing to the step that is the brown paper!

[@ReformationsGlassArt]

this was a great watch - respect to all

[@lutra-lutra]

I still remember the first time I saw "Brown Paper Bag" video, it was something different, fresh, hypnotizing!

[@biggkoz]

This was the first drum and bass album I ever got back in 97. It pretty much opened the door for so much more I would get into in terms of "electronic music".

[@MrBeatTechnique]

Iconic !!! Heard my cousin playing this tune when I was 11/12 and this is what pulled me into DnB and DJing… 29 years later it’s just as powerful as when I heard it then

[@DavidFlow]

Thank you for this amazing interview with this great forward thinking genius

[@m00ftak]

Love this series. So fun to learn some history and watch him talk about his work with such passion

[@TheInfiniteMiseryJumper]

I remember unwrapping New Forms on Christmas day, I must have been about 12, and man...that album was wall-to-wall class. SO well executed, SO diverse, with more bangers than a box of Rio snappers. Top memories Roni, thank you 🙏

[@amsf1]

Bro!!!!!!!!!! Much love from a fellow brotha from the U.S. Your influence was/is huge. I was big into Fl Breakbeats but once I got into DNB you were one of the first artists I gravitated to

[@digitalduch1111]

I still listen to this tune regulary as it is one of my alltime faves. The video was a masterpiece, too ❤

[@stretchwatson9263]

I came up in the 90’s with his tracks in the background but never seen RS interviewed before. He comes off as a really decent guy - fair play for what he’s achieved

[@kweenah.dknight]

That was fantastic! "New Forms" is still as fresh sounding now as it was back in the day. So great to hear the BTS of Brown Paper Bag

[@jasonisaac1]

Loved watching this and hearing some of Roni Size’s story about producing this track and his music. Much respect to him and all the members of Reprazent. I lived in Philly in the 90’s. Got to see Roni Size & Reprazent perform live in 98. Amazing. Same stage set up with 4 computers as in video, 3:42-3:52. Was such an exciting time for drum and bass/jungle/electronic music.

[@HYBRED-o9t]

Great story of vision, achievement and support, he got things clear from the start and deserve the help he got, a real music geek, respect, that tune and video are dope and timeless.

[@GHOSTTOWNUFO]

I remember skipping school and seeing this at my friends house on MTV when it first came out. His dad came home from work early we heard him open the door and legged it out the back, then he chased us all the way back to school with a belt in his hand. Very exciting day and amazing track unforgettable :)

[@nemetron9506]

Best DJ set I've ever seen!! Midnight until after dawn in the hills of Galloway, absolutely awesome, never forgotten.

[@paulfletcher3998]

I remember seeing Reprazent live at a festival in Bristol back in the 90's. Best gig I've ever been too. A couple of gigs have come close but it hasn't been bettered.

[@YootubeUK]

I remember MTV playing it on the dance shows on the weekends and absolutely loving that track. I couldn't get that CD quick enough! Epic stuff.

[@petefraser3013]

New Forms still gives me goosebumps. It’s crazy that just thinking of an album gives you that feeling

[@KordTaylor]

❤ Such great music. Thank you so much for this.

[@MrMWhitham]

The first time you hear this track you're on your feet. Just magic times!

[@MR.NICEplays]

I grew up in Manchester NH, Hearing New Forms at 14 yo it inspired my life journey in electronic music. Thank u Roni, Krust, V records, Big up the whole crew. Big up DJ Mag to giving us this important history

[@PhillLaneMusic]

This was probably the first electronic track I heard that stopped me in my tracks in a wtf was that kinda way. I was 16, at college, warming up for a student production and the techies played Brown Paper Bag, it blew my mind at the time and was such a catalyst for my journey into production and electronic music.

[@Kikotronik]

I could listen to this guy forever, amazing stories and positivity.

[@MrBillythefisherman]

I so wished Id seen Roni Size and Repazent live back then I only listened to BBP at United Dance though which was a mad experience in itself. I had tears of joy rolling down my face when the Mercuries awarded them for what still today is my most favourite and impactful album.

[@originalindiechick7999]

This was a groundbreaking song and loved the video! 😍

[@IbycusCrane]

Such a big part of my youth! Brown Paper Bag! We were rocking this in Pittsburgh in the 90's

[@jayrocka1200]

I'll never forget that song got me started on drum and bass

[@elblanco5]

I'm so glad to see that the creator of this absolutely legendary track is such a great dude. Totally makes my day!

[@jimmyhatz]

37 likes? Come on people. Respect the architect!

[@soylentramen7795]

Fe real

[@itookallthenames]

7000 now, it was a slow burner, only just came to my feed

[@PaulinoEstela]

162.000 and will grow up till KZbin dies because this is gold music that will live forever

[@Spin_stagrams]

An unforgettable album - I had the UK version on CD, then learned (from Lodown Magazine I think) of a US double CD and managed to get hold of a copy. They lay scuffed and scratched in the footwell of my car but Bown Paper Bag lives on as one of my absolute favourites. A tune that seems to work whatever the mood thanks to the Jazz. Thanks for sharing this interview - Roni seems so humble yet I found myself hung on every word.