Renegade: “An Individual Who Rejects Lawful Or Conventional Behaviour.” (Murphy & Loben, 2021)
Software: “Something used or associated with and usually contrasted with Hardware.” (Merriam-Webster [A], n.d.)
Renegade Hardware: “Renegade Hardware was a much-loved record label that specialised in the Drum and Bass genre. Though it’s no longer releasing music, its influence continues to be felt.” (Renegade Hardware, n.d.)
Welcome – this page is the central hub of my PhD project. Included below is some broad information about the project, my aims and goals, as well as some information for any participants and ways to get in touch with me.
Quick Links:
All associated links for this project are stored in the following LinkTree: www.linktr.ee/renegadesoftware. Feel free to also use the icons below:
Project Information:
I’m working on a PhD about how people in UK Drum & Bass (DJs, producers, promoters, label teams etc) build reputation and navigate work across in-person events and online spaces. Fundamentally, this research has two goals:
1. Explore the New Hybrid Spaces and Networks of Contemporary Drum & Bass Culture:
– Explore how people, places, and technologies are connected in producing music and meaning.
2. Create Practical Outcomes for Fairer Participation:
– Develop insights and recommendations that can help make economic opportunities in Drum & Bass more inclusive and accessible.
I’ve worked in the DnB community as a DJ and producer for around 8 years. Just like in the late-1990s and early-2010s, many people now see the genre as becoming more ‘mainstream’ after the boom in popularity during the pandemic. Social media now plays a pivotal role in being an artist (taken in its broadest sense). I designed this study to examine this change, exploring how identity is produced and performed in UK Drum & Bass – and how this influences access to paid work, ideas of fame and popularity and authenticity/legitimacy within the scene.
I’m especially interested in how everyday work happens across both in-person events and digital platforms (e.g.: Instagram, TikTok, SoundCloud), and how formal or informal ‘gatekeeping’ affects who gets seen, booked or supported. The goal is to map the networks and tools people use to build careers and livelihoods in DnB: highlighting what’s working well and identify practical steps that make participation more equitable.
Insights will feed into my PhD thesis and into plain-language summaries and presentations. DnB is consistently marginalised in the academic community, so bringing such an important genre into debates is key. Where appropriate, I’ll also share findings with relevant industry or community partners so that positive changes can be considered by those who shape opportunities in the scene.
Want To Get Involved?
If you’re a DJ, MC, promoter, label staff or just active in the scene – I’d love to hear from you. If you decide to become a participant, you can contribute by sharing your story, suggesting people or topics, or helping shape outputs. Feel free to contact me using the social media links above, or use the form below.
Contact Form:
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About Me:
I’m a PhD candidate at the University of Exeter, funded by the South West Doctoral Training Partnership (ESRC/UKRI). I’ve been active in the DnB scene for 8+ years as a DJ, event organiser and fan. Grant information can be found here: https://www.swdtp.ac.uk or UKRI Project Reference – 2921366.
Tommy Nagle 