History
Roni Size: A Bristol Pioneer of Drum and Bass
Roni Size, born and raised in Bristol, found his musical path ignited at the age of 16. The vibrant sounds of 1970s blues parties and the powerful sound systems prevalent in the St. Pauls area of the city deeply influenced his formative years.
Founding Full Cycle and the Rise of Reprazent
A pivotal moment arrived in the early 1990s with the meeting of Roni Size and Krust. Their shared musical vision led to the establishment of Full Cycle in 1993, a label that would redefine the landscape of electronic music. Through Full Cycle and other influential imprints like Talkin’ Loud, Roni Size carved out a significant reputation.
The global impact of Roni Size & Reprazent became undeniable in 1997 with the release of their seminal album, New Forms. This groundbreaking work earned them the prestigious Mercury Music Prize, propelling their international status and introducing the world to the distinctive sound of Roni Size and Full Cycle. Featuring enduring tracks such as ‘Watching Windows’, ‘Heroes’, and ‘Brown Paper Bag’, the album achieved platinum status, cementing its place as a modern classic.
Continued Innovation and Solo Ventures
In 1999, Roni Size collaborated with Die to produce the highly regarded Breakbeat Era album. Later that year, Reprazent released their anticipated second project, In the Mode, which featured notable collaborations with hip-hop icon Method Man, Rage Against the Machine's Zack de la Rocha, and beatboxing master Rahzel.
The year 2002 marked the release of Roni Size's first entirely solo album, Touching Down, which became one of the best-selling independent drum and bass albums to date. He returned in 2005 with Return To V, a release on the 'V' label that included the top 20 hit ‘No More’ featuring Beverley Knight.
Reprazent's Revival and Future Endeavors
Roni Size revitalized Reprazent in 2008, coinciding with the release of a deluxe edition of the Mercury Prize-winning New Forms on Universal. The reformed band embarked on tours across major European festivals, earning a nomination for Best Dance Act at the UK Festival Awards.
More recently, Roni & Reprazent collaborated with composer William Goodchild on the score for the BBC's Nature's Great Events. This partnership culminated in a landmark performance at Bristol's Colston Hall, uniting the orchestra and choir for an event hailed as "the show that we'll be talking about for years to come."
With a career already rich in accomplishment, Roni Size continued to be a dynamic force. He was actively involved in studio production for his next solo album and a new Roni & Reprazent project, promising further exciting releases.
