The multi-faceted UK Drum ‘n’ Bass legend Goldie recently announced that he would be joining the ranks of Andrew Weatherall, Fabio and Grooverider, David Rodigan and Giles Peterson to curate Ministry Of Sound’s ‘Masterpiece’ series.
Also a celebrated visual artist, Goldie is in fact a master when it comes to the mechanics of music. “We all got signed to major record labels,” he tells us, reflecting on two decades as a working producer and DJ. “I refused to change my integrity in terms of what I believe in. Most people buy into the music – Wu Tang didn’t change their second album to make it more sellable. Same with D&B, we were making this music because we came from a really bad environment.”
As for his Metalheadz label, Goldie continues to ensure it goes against the grain, never sacrificing integrity for dollars. “If we all of a sudden changed the music policy and started making cheese, the minority would be disgusted by us in the same way that we don’t need to air our dirty laundry. We speak the way we want to speak and make the music we want to make.
“We’re still a lifestyle brand,” he boils it down. “My daughter is 16 and wears a Metalheadz shirt and her friends are like, ‘Oh my God, that’s Metalheadz!’ They associate it being the OG for what it is. Do you think I only want to hear the music in a club on Saturday with a bad sound system? I want to hear it on a Saturday afternoon painting in my studio, or working on graphics or sculptures.”
The Metalheadz imprint head honcho has revealed that his latest body of work will be split into three discs titled ‘The Alpha’, ‘Journeyman’ and ‘Headzville’, each taking the listener on a sonic evolution of drum ‘n’ bass through the years. Featuring the likes of Roni Size, Junior Murvin, Terry Callier and more, check out the track list for the album, set to release on August 18.