Top Buzz
Top Buzz are a British DJ / MC team, which performed at rave events in the 1990s.
Top Buzz was originally formed in 1988 by MC Patrick McPhee ("Mad P") and DJ Mikee B, playing at house events, before being joined by DJ Jason Kyriakides ("Jason Jay" / "Jason Kaye") several years later. All originate from the Tottenham areas of north London, although in the '90's they lived in Enfield.
They were of the first to popularise the darker sounds of jungle techno as it began to emerge from the hardcore rave sounds from 1992 (indeed allegedly claiming to have first coined the term). The band released the "Living in Darkness" EP on Basement Records in 1992, which encapsulates much of the flavour of the era. Top Buzz were headline performers at Amnesia House, Fantazia, Universe, Dreamscape, and Obsession events, amongst many others.
A distinct feature was the ragga MCing of MC Patrick, strongly influenced by Jamaican dancehall roots. Patrick often referred to the team as "Two Blacks and a Bubble", a reference to the team's ethnic origins. The team later fell out, although they later reformed in the 21st century to perform at oldskool hardcore events across Britain.
After Top Buzz
Jason Kaye has gone on to become a successful and influential producer of UK garage, with Richard "Sticky" Forbes.
Mikee B became part of garage outfit Dreem Teem, with a slot on BBC Radio 1 until May 2005.
Patrick is the son of Cynthia Jarrett, who died in the Broadwater Farm Estate riots in London in 1985. After Top Buzz, he later spent some time in prison.
External links
- Background information
- Interview with MC Patrick
- Interview with Jason Kaye, Fantazia
- Interview with Jason Kaye, 2001
- Interview with Mikee B
- Youtube Video topbuzz interview black market records in 1992