Features
Get to know Compa, producer of new school dubstep laced with echoes of the past
And DJ and label head at CPA Records
“You could only do three things at the after-school programme I used to go to”, Manchester-based producer, DJ and label head Compa recalls; “play PlayStation, stand outside chatting or learn to DJ. I chose the latter – and quickly became obsessed.” Almost a decade on, he’s regarded as one of the UK’s most accomplished new-school dubstep exports. Though he sometimes splits opinion among the genre’s purists for exploring new approaches to classic sounds, the reach of his music (he recently returned from a sold-out US tour) speaks volumes. He says his sound draws on an “amalgamation of influences”, spanning dub and reggae to the drum ’n’ bass and dubstep he grew up listening to, of whom Mala, Skream and Kode 9 were some of his favourite producers. “‘Blue Notez’ by Mala was the first record that really resonated with me”, he says.
After cutting his teeth on Boka Records with his first 12” (‘Sentence/‘Beginning’) in 2012, it wasn’t long before Mala and Deep Medi came knocking. “Mala regularly played at Just Skank in Manchester”, Compa recalls, “and every time he’d visit I’d cut a dubplate especially for him”. Eventually Mala asked if Deep Medi Musik could put out some of the music he’d been sharing. It was 2013’s ‘Narabeh’ that touched wax first – and the rest is history, Compa going on to release on Killa Sound, Lion Charge and Boka (this time on a split 12” with Ipman), before returning to Deep Medi for a scorching follow-up in 2016. The next step was starting his own label, CPA Records, which launched last month with the release of Compa’s double single ‘No Hype’ feat Footsie / ‘In Check’. “I’m really glad I went for it,” he says, “and I’m already feeling ready and inspired to release another record when the time is right.”
Compa’s predicting a bright future for the wider dubstep sound too – as long as artists continue to experiment. “Look at Gantz,”, he says. “He’s merging his Turkish influences with dubstep and creating a hybrid sound all his own. Commodo is doing a similar thing, merging hip hop much like I’m trying to do with grime and trap.” As for his own future plans? “Working non-stop as per, and giving thanks every minute”, he says. We’re just grateful he didn’t pick up the PlayStation.
‘No Hype’/‘In Check’ is out now on CPA
