Benny V, head of Roadblock Records, has teamed up with UK Garage (UKG) legend K-Warren for a genre-blending collaboration titled You Are. This surprise release, which fuses emotional undertones with energetic Drum & Bass, was unveiled during Benny V’s exclusive set for Beatport’s New Out of Office series and is now available solely on the platform. The track signals a pivotal direction for both the label and Benny V’s musical evolution.
“K is a personal friend of mine and probably one of my closest friends in music,” Benny V revealed. “Although he’s famous for his UK Garage hits, he’s always loved Drum & Bass, Jungle, and rave culture—and he’s incredibly knowledgeable. I didn’t have to twist his arm too much to get him over to the dark side!”
The collaboration originated from a strong mutual musical rapport. Benny V composed the piano introduction and passed it on to K-Warren, who developed the remainder of the track’s production. “From there, we bounced ideas on melodies, structure, and length,” Benny said. “One of the great things about K and I is we write music first. When two artists are musical—even if they’re known for different genres—the process becomes a lot easier.”
Far from sticking to the formulas of UKG or conventional Drum & Bass, You Are leans heavily into its emotional resonance. “I’ve always found that there’s something incredibly emotive about Drum & Bass with a melancholy vibe,” Benny V explained. “All music, really. It just hits you in the feels in a way that’s quite unique.”
The release also represents a major moment for Roadblock Records. Following the success of The Prototypes’ Feed My Soul, which secured mainstream radio attention, You Are further defines the label’s commitment to balancing club-ready beats with musical depth. “If you can release music that people can dance to and also just listen to, you’re moving in the right direction,” Benny noted. “There’ll still be some dancefloor bangers though. That will never change!”
The track’s debut on Beatport highlights the platform’s role in promoting underground UK talent. Benny V emphasized its significance: “Beatport is pivotal in dance music. It’s not just a store—it’s a platform that can really accelerate your music. They’ve got experts in every genre, and they really know their stuff.”
Premiering You Are during his Out of Office mix felt particularly special to Benny V. “I absolutely love the concept of Beatportal, and when I was invited to do the mix for the Out of Office series, it was a no-brainer,” he said. “I knew You Are had been getting great rave and club traction, so it made total sense to open the set with it. The response has been nothing short of incredible.”
That momentum has already started to translate into new possibilities. “It’s great,” Benny added. “But it also means more work—because more brilliant opportunities come up that you simply must take.”
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