Goldie founded Metalheadz in 1994 with Kemistry and Storm, the DJs who had introduced him to drum and bass. Their involvement went far beyond the decks: they recruited artists, handled the label’s press and promotion, and were residents at its Sunday Sessions at London’s Blue Note.
The Blue Note residency began as a five-week trial, giving producers somewhere to play their newest recordings before they were released. Photek, Source Direct, Peshay, and Dillinja were among the artists connected to those nights. Records by Doc Scott and Marcus Intalex also became part of the Metalheadz catalogue, whose influences include reggae, hip-hop, house, and techno alongside jungle and drum and bass.
The 25 Years series returns to earlier releases, including Total Science’s Jungle Jungle. More of the history is collected in The Book of Goldikus, Vol. 1, with personal accounts alongside the flyers, photographs, artwork, and graffiti that surrounded the records and nights. The Metalheadz logo, designed by Darren Bartlett and tweaked by Goldie, was also revisited for the label’s 30th-anniversary collaboration with Stüssy. Releases under the Metalheadz Platinum and Ltd names belong to the wider family.
Metalheadz also broadcasts on Kool FM, with artist shows and Blue Note sets recorded at events in Bristol and Sheffield.
