To Skibadee, The UK’s Original MC

The Drum & Bass MC, who has sadly passed away at the age of 47, redefined the art of the MC in the early 1990s, setting the stage for a British musical revolution. Keakie Curator and Editor of The Crackle, James Wild, fondly assesses his legacy.

Picture the scene: it’s 3am in a warehouse somewhere in Birmingham, in the middle of a rave that’s been anticipated for weeks. The soundtrack? D&B of the Jump Up and Jungle variety. This writer is 18-years-old and a little worse for wear. Feeling the effects of the night’s frivolities, he begins to flag. Suddenly from the stage, a voice blasts from in front of the DJ. A figure in dark glasses and a baseball cap stands confidently encouraging the crowd: “MAKE SOME NOISE!”

Like a magic spell, the words revive me. The energy raises, the stamina is back. The MC warms up with growling barks, shouts out the DJ and begins unleashing bars like bullets from an uzi, riling up the crowd and bringing the dance not only back to life, but to another level, where there is no limit. The MC, of course, was Skibadee.

On 27th February 2022 we lost Alphonso Castro K. Bondzie, known worldwide as MC Skibadee, at the age of 47. Whilst he has left us far too soon, he has left an undeniable mark on British culture. Skibadee got his start on pirate radio in the early 1990’s, with his residency on Kool FM transforming the fabric of British music at the time. Fans of this underground scene didn’t know it then but a cohort of would-be musicians, led by Skibadee and others, were setting the foundations for British lyricism and MCing for years to come, especially as Drum & Bass and Jungle were in their infancies as musical movements.

Quickly became a regular host at haunts such as Jungle Fever, New Jack City and more, his blistering lyrical skill made him the obvious and perfect fit for hosting raves, as were his trademark rallying cries, a famous one being: “Deal with the matter, deal with it proper.” His energy effortlessly matched the dub’s instrumental assault, creating a perfect cacophony of aural chaos. Skibadee also saw the value of collaboration and was famously part of multiple crews with other top tier MCs such as SASASAS with MC Shabba D and Harry Shotta; UNCZ with Fun and 2xFreestyle with MC Det, proof that he was always at the pulse of what was new and fresh.

Skibadee’s authenticity was enduring. He was a British MC at a time when rapping was primarily done in an American accent as a way of making it through the industry and his cheeky chappy, London accent was a breath of fresh air and realness for inspiring wordsmiths across the country. Combining soundsystem culture’s rich history of toasting - talking or chanting over the microphone - with his own skippy flows was unique but fitting. Like the last piece of an exhaustive puzzle, Skibadee was the missing link for Jungle and Drum & Bass to thrive. His voice changed the fabric of rave culture in the UK forever and created the atmosphere for new genres to bloom and blossom. Grime originators such as Wiley, Dizzee Rascal and D Double E are just a few who were influenced not just by his dazzling flow but his truth.

As much as Skibadee was loved and exalted in Jungle and Drum & Bass, his influence spread far and wide. For the last few days, the term ‘Your favourite MC’s favourite MC’ has been heard a lot and rightly so. Dubstep pioneer Plastician even went as far as to tweet: “Skibadee was your favourite MC’s favourite MC’s favourite MC. Can’t underestimate the foundations that guy built for everything we’ve had since then.” Never a truer word spoken.

Throughout his storied career, Skibadee undoubtedly carved out his place as the undeniable voice of Drum & Bass. It is a painful truth that we won’t hear another chorus of dog barks, another vocal fanfare or any of his classic trademark bars in person again; but his greatest legacy is preserved. Go to YouTube and you can find hundreds of sets, tracks and features with Skibadee’s individual, foundational style, both from the man himself and those walking down the road he paved.

British music has lost a cultural icon but to this writer he will always be here. I’ll always remember those moments where his voice brought me back to life in a dance, where his energy on stage got me so hyped to dance the night away with my mates or endlessly sitting with friends finding sets and breaking down how he fit into Grime and other genres we loved. At the end of the day, every Skibadee fan has these memories and this is his true legacy.