Liquid Funk
tagStarted early 2000sPeak 2004–2014Last big hit still active
Liquid funk brightens liquid DnB with more overt soul, funk, disco, or vocal uplift: crisp breaks, buoyant bass motion, and hooks that feel celebratory rather than withdrawn. It is smoother than jump-up and much more extroverted than deep liquid.
History
The name became strongly associated with Hospital Records and the high-musicality school defined by labels, radio support, and festival-friendly accessibility. High Contrast, London Elektricity, Nu:Tone, Netsky’s early work, Danny Byrd, and Makoto helped give the style its mix of jazz chops, pop instinct, and full-speed breakbeat lift.
Defining artists
Essential listening
Sources
- BCee’s liquid DnB guide
- Hospital-adjacent liquid histories.