The Prototypes
High-octane drum and bass built for main stages and adrenaline junkies. Explosive bass drops and cinematic synths designed to keep the energy at a constant peak.
High-octane drum and bass built for main stages and adrenaline junkies. Explosive bass drops and cinematic synths designed to keep the energy at a constant peak.
The Prototypes deliver a relentless, high-definition assault on the senses that sits at the intersection of dancefloor accessibility and underground aggression. Their sound is characterized by massive, stadium-sized production, where every snare hit feels like a physical impact and every bassline is engineered for maximum club vibration. It is music that refuses to sit in the background, demanding movement through its sheer velocity and wall-of-sound intensity.
What sets them apart is a specific knack for cinematic, almost sci-fi atmospheres paired with 'big room' energy. While many D&B artists focus on technical complexity or dark minimalism, The Prototypes lean into the euphoric and the explosive. They utilize vocal hooks not just as window dressing, but as anthemic focal points that unify a crowd, often bridging the gap between the grit of neurofunk and the melodic appeal of dance-pop without losing their edge.
For those new to their catalog, 'City of Gold' is the definitive starting point. It captures their peak duo era, showcasing their ability to blend high-speed breakbeats with catchy, incendiary songwriting. It is the perfect soundtrack for anyone needing a shot of pure adrenaline or a way to turn a living room into a festival main stage.
The Prototypes is a British drum and bass project by producer Nick White. Until May 2023, it was a duo alongside fellow producer Chris Garvey. Founded in Brighton, England in 2007, they released their first singles on labels such as Formation Records and Viper Recordings, and from 2011 to 2013 were signed to Shogun Audio. They have released a number of EPs, and have received radio and live PA support from DJs such as Matrix & Futurebound. Signing exclusively to Viper Recordings in 2014, in the following months the duo released a number of promo singles for a debut album. Their resulting single, "Pale Blue Dot" ranked as Beatport's second top selling drum and bass track of the year. The track was also nominated for Best Track at the Drum & Bass Arena Awards, with The Prototypes also nominated for Best Producer, Best Music Video, and Best DJ. UKF Music called their 2015 promo single "Pop It Off" "one of the most unanimously unifying cuts in D&B of the year so far," and they officially released their debut album City of Gold on 17 May 2015. They supported the album with an international tour with performances at festivals such as Urban Art Forms and Tomorrowland, and they also performed at Nocturnal Festival in 2012. Featuring vocals from artists such as Ayah Marar and Amy Pearson, the week of its release City of Gold reached No. 22 on the UK Dance Chart. Robin Murray of UKF Music called it "a relentless, incendiary journey through a range of genres and tempos." Beyond original production, as of 2015 the duo had released remixes for artists such as Avicii, Ed Sheeran, Bingo Players, Hadouken!, Modestep, AlunaGeorge, and others. In 2023, Chris Garvey announced on social media that he was stepping down from The Prototypes, and starting a solo project under the name Circadian. His debut single under the new name 'Body Work' was released on 26 of May 2023.
Shares drum and bass, dancehall (subgenres); energetic, aggressive, triumphant (moods)
Shares maximalist, studio polished, compressed loud (production style); energetic, aggressive, triumphant (moods)
Shares maximalist, studio polished, compressed loud (production style); drum and bass (subgenres)
Shares drum and bass, dancehall (subgenres); maximalist, studio polished, compressed loud (production style)
Shares drum and bass, dancehall (subgenres); maximalist, compressed loud, digital clarity (production style)
Shares drum and bass, dancehall (subgenres); studio polished, compressed loud, digital clarity (production style)
Shares maximalist, studio polished, compressed loud (production style); drum and bass (subgenres)
Shares drum and bass (subgenres); maximalist, studio polished, compressed loud (production style)
Shares drum and bass (subgenres); maximalist, studio polished, compressed loud (production style)
Shares dancehall, running, drum and bass, intense (subgenre)
Shares drum and bass, festival, running, maximalist (signature)
Cassette uses generative AI to enrich its catalog. How we use AI →
