Peshay's famed 1996 studio mix is back on YouTube following copyright battle

Peshay's beloved 1996 Studio Set has been restored to YouTube, following a lengthy copyright battle. 

The London-based drum 'n' bass DJ announced the news via Instagram on Monday (June 30), writing: "After an incredible outpouring of support from the drum & bass/electronic music community, you’ll be aware that YouTube has restored my 1996 Studio Set."

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The set had been uploaded to YouTube channel Ambiance with Peshay's permission in 2018, but was removed due to a copyright strike for its use of 'The Links' by The Chameleon.

The track, which was created under Tom Middleton and Mark Pritchard's collaborative project and released via LTJ Bukem's Good Looking Records, had allegedly been "wrongfully copyrighted" in the US and uploaded to YouTube under a new title by channel Ninj Yang Productions. Various other uploads of the track itself, such as on the JungleSoundMovement 2nd channel, have also been restored.

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Peshay's fight to have both the mix and the track restored had resulted in a Change.org petition to "Save Peshay's studio set", with the DJ - AKA Paul Pesce - speaking to DJ Mag in May about his desire to end "copyright abuse" against artists.

In his statement this week, Peshay promised that the fight is not over despite the restoration: "During this process, we were contacted by numerous artists who have also faced, and continue to face, alarmingly similar situations.

"The fight is far from over. Whilst the infringing tracks, in our case, have been removed from YouTube, they remain live across other major platforms including Spotify and Apple Music," he continues. 

"The individual's US Copyright Office registrations are also still active, and tellingly, their YouTube channel has been restored with what appears to be zero consequences for their actions."

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"Over the past weeks, my management team has been in direct conversations with all major UK music bodies about this issue. The response has been overwhelming and the support genuine. This has highlighted just how widespread this problem really is.

"The restoration of our content proves that when the music community speaks up, platforms listen. But this is just the beginning. Legacy music deserves proper protection, and artists should not have to fight tooth and nail to reclaim their own cultural heritage."

You can listen to the remastered 2025 version of Peshay's 1996 Studio Set below and the original fan uploaded version from 2018 here.

Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, follow her on Twitter