And here we are again! All the way at the very end of the year. The temperature has dropped, Mariah Carey is doing her annual rounds and the Drum & Bass Arena Awards winners have been announced. Love them or hate them the D&BA awards provide a snapshot of where the drum & bass scene is sitting and create an almighty catalyst for a whole host of healthy debates.

Dave Jenkins and Jenna G returned to our black and yellow screens as presenters and this year were joined by Ama. The ceremony was packed with insightful interviews with winners, including A.M.C who picked up the much coveted Best DJ award for the fourth year in the row. Special mention goes to Hedex who not only came second in this category but also third in best producer. Inja also repeated his previous success at picked up his fifth Best MC award in as many years, and A Little Sound grabbed the top spot in the Best Vocalist category.

 Our first surprise of the night came weeks before the event when Hospital Records announced that they would be pulling out of 2022’s awards after winning best label for ten consecutive years. This left space for both Born On Road and 1985 Music to climb one position into first and second space respectively.

Invicta Audio also moved up from last year’s second place to this year’s first, with MODUS and Nueroheadz claiming silver and bronze in this prophetic category. With the ever abundant pool of talent the Best Newcomer is always hotly contested, this year’s top spot is taken by goddard. followd by The Caracal Project and Nia Achieves, all of whom have had a stellar year, playing the biggest gigs and releasing undeniable jams.  

The variety of the voters who participate in awards can be clearly seen in the Best Track category with the wide reaching vibes of Sub Focus’- Off the Ground and the more headsy release Visages- Lunar Eclipse (ft Strategy) taking third place. 

This year we see a new award announced- Best Club. And as we read through a mammoth list of grade A line-ups to celebrate their last ever season, in a glorious ode to raving history, the winner of this category is Print Works.   

This year’s Hall of Fame category was respectfully awarded to Skibadee. His contribution to British MC culture and the wider jungle, drum and bass scene is immeasurable. His untimely death earlier this year sent shockwaves through the bass music industry, and left our entire screen celebrating his life together. Skiba- we salute you, you are truly missed. 

Our Tribute to Skibadee 

While the winners always split opinions and bred numerous discussions, it’s important to remember it is the richness of variety and depth of difference that make our beloved jungle and drum & bass community so strong. Enjoy the awards, debate with vigour but please, be kind. 

You can watch the whole awards ceremony and see all the winners below. 

Best DJ

A.M.C

Hedex

Camo & Krooked

Best Producer

Sub Focus 

Camo & Krooked 

Hedex

Best MC

Inja 

Eksman 

Degs

Best Vocalist

A Little Sound 

Charlotte Haining 

Emily Makis

Best Newcomer

goddard.

The Caracal Project

Nia Archives 

Best Track

Sub Focus- Off the Ground 

Camo & Krooked- No Way Out (ft 

Visages- Lunar Eclipse (ft Strategy)

Best Album

Chase & Status- What Came Before 

Noisia- Closer 

Wilkinson- Cognition

Best Remix

The Prodigy- Breath (Mefjus & Camo & Krooked Remix)

Total Science- Squash (Break Remix)

Cat Burns- go (goddard. Remix 

Best Label

Born On Road

1985 Music

RAM Records

Best Newcomer Label

Invicta Audio

MODUS

Neuroheadz

Best Club 

Printworks

WHP

Fabric

Best Festival 

Boomtown 

Let It Roll 

Rampage

Bets Live Stream 

A.M.C (LIR 2022)

Dom Whiting- Drum and Bass On The Bike

Camo & Krooked

Best Artwork

Bou & Trigga- Veteran (Serum Remix)

Chase & Status- What Came Before

Wilkinson- Cognition  

Critics Choice 

John B

Hall of Fame

Skibadee