Joe Lazcru built Crucast around records and live events, bringing drum and bass together with bassline, garage, grime, dubstep, and bass house. The UK label also operates as an artist collective, with Disrupta, Amplify, Fatman D, and Teddy Killerz among the drum and bass contributors to a catalogue that includes New Era 3. When signing artists, Lazcru has emphasised originality and a shared enthusiasm for promoting the music, alongside the records themselves.
That wider interest in bass music leaves room for artists to try different styles, as Tsuki did on his album Redemption. Crucast also worked with Night Bass on a joint project that began in December 2019. Most tracks were made remotely, with the two operations hoping to introduce their artists to each other’s audiences in the UK and America.
Its events grew from a sold-out night at London’s XOYO to a 4,500-capacity indoor festival at Printworks. Later formats include CruClash, where two DJs play face to face, and free-ticket events intended to support grassroots venues and emerging artists. Between those nights, Crucast shares filmed performances and a 24-hour radio stream, with separate drum and bass and garage/bassline playlists reflecting the different sounds released and played under its name.
