With a lot of hard work, support and dedication the Murky Drum & Bass brand was founded in early 2012 by Elsta. Initially it was created as a team of passionate like minded DJs and MCs all with varying styles and performance histories, to act as a platform to develop and grow in a sustainable way. The Murky Squad consisted of DJ Zork, MC Ren Dola, Lloydizzle, Kingsley & Elsta. After a few moths of
building profiles and enhancing skills together through various mix projects, DJ/MC sets, radio shows and live stream events, the plans were laid down for the start of the Murky events by Elsta with dedicated support from the team. The launch night kicked off in March 2013 seeing Portsmouth graced by the unquestionably talented (at the time) BBC 1xtra DJ CRISSY CRISS alongside the undeniably popular MR TRAUMATIK and other exciting and innovative new artists. Not too long after the launch night Badboy DJ Vinyl Richy officially joined the Murky team. With his knowledge of running events and experience within the D&B scene, he soon rose to co-manage the brand and events alongside Elsta. Murky soon evolved organically into a popular event, respected digital record label (Murky Digital ran solo by Elsta) and much more. Murky Digital was launched in 2013 by Elsta & Lloydizzle with the concept of releasing good quality drum and bass music from established producers, focussing around an eclectic mix of dark, deep and dirty sounds. The label has gone from strength to strength with various chart number ones and label support from the likes of: DJ Hype, Hazard, Marky, Majistrate, Nicky Blackmarket, Foreign Concept, Serial Killaz, Kenny Ken and many many more top DJs. With a producer roster that includes: T>I, Filthy Habits, Fena, Raz, Zero, Damage Report & more. The Murky Squad have also continued to push themselves as DJs and MCs, recruiting a talented Southampton based MC; Tdot to run the mic with the original south coast soldier Ren Dola. They individually and collectively continue to create a healthy following, enabling opportunities to play sets locally, nationally and even internationally as well as guest shows on prestigious D&B radio stations such as Rough Tempo, Origin FM and Cre8 DnB, and shows on Portsmouth’s infamous Lush FM. After receiving continual positive feedback from the full squad DJ/MC performances the Murky Squad 44 Showcase was created in 2016 structured round a lay out of 4 DJs, 4 MCs, 4 CDJs & 4 tracks each compromising of the full Murky Squad and 2 special guest MCs as a fresh concept to performing together. There have been an array of challenges along the way including the exit of Lloydizzle and the closure of the Registry, causing a temporary loss of home for the Murky events. Elsta and Richy had to adapt the brand to continue the events so teamed up with Lush FM to create a branded project called 'Box-Fresh’. With the only options of a smaller venue they created a cheap, pocket wise regular event at the Minibox, focussing around a line up of established up and comers as well as raw local talent. Box-Fresh ran over several events from early Summer 2014 to Autumn 2015 until the restart of the full Murky nights at their current home: The Old Barn. Elsta & Vinyl Richy continue to push Murky, bringing a vast range of industry heavy hitters and exciting new artists to Portsmouth with lots planned for the future in terms of the events, record label and other aspects of the Murky brand.
