About Substance

SUBSTANCE: Hip Hop // Funk // Beats // Jazz: Established 1995

The Club Night

From 1995 to 2006, Substance brought a raucous mix of international talent, word class DJs and live improvisation to venues in the UK's second city, Birmingham, and later London.

 

Over the years, the Substance stage has played host to the likes of Grand Master Flash, DJ Premier, KRS One, Masta Ace, Jeru the Damaja, Souls of Mischief, The Pharcyde, DJ Cash Money, Maseo of De La Soul, TY, Roots Manuva, Blak Twang, Soweto Kinch, Waajeed and countless others, attracting crowds of up to 1700 to witness the night's trademark mix of renowned guests and live talent.

 

In its eleven year history, Substance gained critical acclaim as a forward thinking club night, its funk and soul influenced house band, charismatic mc and host, Mad Flow (Big Dada) and resident DJs Chris Read and Roc-1 defining the night's distinctive sound.

 

THE PROJECTS

Aside from guest performances, Substance always prided itself on involving itself in the music it promotes on a wider level. Associated projects in which the night has been involved include live broadcasts on BBC Radio 1 & Radio 1 Xtra (including performances by the Substance Hip Hop Orchestra), the ground breaking 'Graffiti Bastards' exhibitions (amongst the first in the country to showcase artists such as Chu, Banksy, Req and others), the UK DMC Championships, the 8 Mile open mic contest, the official UK launch for Scratch the Movie and a label project for leftfield label, Different Drummer.

 

After a succesful eleven year run, promoter and resident DJ Chris Read decided it was time to quit whilst ahead and move on from promoting to invest some time in producing music and other associated projects. Since that time, this website has served as an archive for info on the Substance club nights and a platform for Chris's current / ongoing musical projects.

 

press quotes

"near legendary . a raucous night of experimentation that has had the music and style press fighting for superlatives" (METRO)

"never fully aware of its own proportions . committed artists and enthusiastic crowds make one thing certain, it will always be explosive" (BREAKIN POINT)

"fashionably eclectic . embraces those latched onto a more underground vibe" (I.D)

"an excellent session" (DJ MAGAZINE)

"disparate elements of hip hop, funk and jazz fused together for your delight" (REVOLVER)

"hard hitting hip hop and future funk that brings the house down" (CLUB ON)

"the finest underground hip hop beats" (SLEAZE NATION)

"proves that UK hip hop is definitely alive in the midlands" (BREAKIN POINT)

"like so many of Chris Read's notorious Substance events . the temperature soared to boiling point" (FUSED)