Collective Spotlight: EQ50
In this series, we spotlight up-and-coming collectives who are paving their own way while driving underground culture forward.
EQ50 came from necessity. The founders understood they needed to carve a space within drum & bass culture specifically for women, and that’s exactly what they did in 2018. EQ5 is rewriting the rules of Jungle and D&B by platforming the people historically excluded from it.
Since their launch, there has been a noticeable shift. UK line-ups that used to be male-dominated are now far more diverse, and it’s fair to say we have EQ50 to thank for that.
Born from Experience
Formed in 2018 by female pioneers in jungle and D&B, EQ50’s mission is to tackle the gender imbalance that has always plagued the genre. Founding members include industry titans Mantra, Flight, Sweetpea, MC Chickaboo, and DJ Storm, all names that carry serious weight and are responsible for shaping the sound of D&B as we know it.
Mantra is the co-founder of label and cub night Rupture London; MC Chickaboo is the first female jungle MC, DJ Storm is known as one of the most influential DJs within D&B, and Flight is an award-winning DJ, broadcaster, and radio producer, with over 25 years experience in the industry.
Mentoring the Next Generation
So with this lot at the helm, it’s no wonder EQ50 is flying, and one of their most significant contributions is their mentoring program. They launched it in 2020, right in the midst of COVID-19 and an interesting time for D&B. With young people stuck in lockdown, they had time to learn how to produce D&B, and live streams became a new source of community.
Plenty of women started producing during this time, and to help them on their way EQ50 launched their program with the aim of helping them release music. That’s why they partnered with top labels like Critical Music, Hospital Records, Shogun Audio, and Ram Records.
Each year, EQ50 selects a group of women and non-binary producers and DJ mentees and pairs them up with industry mentors. The year-long scheme offers one-on-one guidance, production feedback, business advice, and networking opportunities that can open doors in an industry that’s often hard to break into.
They’ve had tons of success stories, including ANIKONIK, Nicky B, Sequent, Pod Imiya, Artemis, and Mandidextrous, all of whom released on some of the biggest D&B labels in the world thanks to this program.
For the mentees, the impact can be transformative. They learn more than just technical skills, they build the confidence and connections needed for a successful career – and it benefits the entire scene with fresh voices and new sounds.
More than Mentorship
EQ50’s work doesn’t stop at mentoring. The collective hosts panels, workshops, and talks at festivals and conferences, sparking important conversations about diversity and inclusion. These events provide a space for honest dialogue about the challenges faced by underrepresented artists, the importance of safer spaces at gigs, and what promoters, labels, and fans can do to support positive change.
EQ50 also pushes for accountability. It’s not enough to talk about equality; the collective encourages labels and promoters to take a hard look at their own practices. Who are they booking? Who’s on their roster? Who’s behind the scenes making decisions? And crucially — what steps are being taken to improve?
An Evolving Scene
In the past few years, things have slowly changed. More promoters are diversifying their line-ups, more festivals are setting targets for gender balance, and more labels are actively seeking out talent from underrepresented backgrounds. While there’s still plenty of work to do, there’s no doubt that EQ50’s efforts have been instrumental in driving this progress.
What makes EQ50 particularly effective is its collaborative spirit. Rather than positioning itself as the sole voice for change, they work alongside other initiatives, like Sisu Crew and Foundation FM. The idea is to strengthen the entire ecosystem so that real, sustainable change can happen.
The Future of Drum & Bass
And that change isn’t just good for representation, it’s good for the music. A more inclusive scene means more perspectives, more innovation, and a richer, more vibrant sound. Without diverse voices, music scenes get stagnant and stop evolving.
EQ50 is keeping inclusivity at the heart of its ethos. Their work serves as a reminder that equality isn’t just about numbers on a lineup but creating a culture where everyone has the opportunity to be heard.
