There are certain people you meet on the scene who just light up a room – and for me, B-Line is one of them.
I first met Blaine at his birthday event back in 2024 at Tunnel Club. It was my first ever Selecta night too, and it set the tone for everything I’ve since come to love about this corner of the Drum and Bass world – community, energy, and pure heart. Blaine had it all. He’s got that rare charisma that can command a crowd with ease, but beyond the hype and mic control, what’s always stood out to me is his kindness. He’s genuinely grounded, and gracious – a proper gentleman of the scene. Watching his growth over the past year has been amazing, so sitting down with him ahead of his massive birthday showcase at XOYO this Saturday (8th November) felt like the perfect moment to reflect on the journey so far.
“I STARTED B-LINE WHEN I WAS 17…”
For anyone who doesn’t already know, B-Line’s story starts in the Midlands, where music was part of life from early on.
“I started B-Line when I was 17 and started on bassline music. I moved into drums when I was 19 and have done it ever since,” he tells me. “I always grew up on the likes of Eks, Evil, Andy C, Fatman D – my sister was always into raves and would bring me CD packs. I loved ‘em.”
You can hear that old-school influence in his delivery – there’s a nod to the golden era of MCing but with a modern, fearless edge.
He laughs when I ask what life was like growing up: “I can’t lie, I was very blessed and looked after. Mum and Dad didn’t have much when I was growing up and I saw them struggle a few times, but they were dedicated grafters. Dad always encouraged me into music.”
That early graft shows. Even as a teenager, Blaine was the type to stay up practising flows, learning every Harry Shotta bar by heart and pushing himself to go faster, sharper, better.
FINDING HIS FLOW
“Timing came natural to me,” he says. “I’ve always loved rhythm, but finding different flows came from just constant practice. If you heard me shout ‘Wowzers’ three years ago to now, you probably wouldn’t even think it was the same person.”
That evolution is something fans have watched in real time – each set, each event, a little more refined, a little more confident.
When it comes to inspiration, Blaine lights up talking about the artists who helped shape him: “Eksman, Evil, Fatman, Spyda… and for DJs, Total Recall and Logan. And although he’s a good mate of mine now, Amplify still inspires me loads. His work rate is second to none. He earned his stripes through pure graft. All of these guys have given me advice at some point, and I still appreciate every conversation.”
THE BIRMINGHAM HEARTBEAT
There’s something special about the Birmingham DnB scene – it’s loud, loyal, and proud. Blaine doesn’t hesitate: “There ain’t no place like Birmingham. The scene is so alive right now. The support and fan base I’ve built here is special – without them, I wouldn’t be achieving the opportunities I have. I’m blessed.”
That sense of community runs deep. And a big part of his journey has been Selecta, the powerhouse Midlands brand that helped push his artistry to the next level.
“Clem always booked me for Selecta,” he says. “The hospitality was second to none. Even if you were brand new, you were never exploited. Payment was always on time, and Clem always supported me as B-Line. In return, I helped him when he needed it. That trust turned into a proper management partnership and took both Selecta and me to places we never thought we’d reach. He’s a good pal – even if he don’t appreciate me belling him at 6am with a job list on my way to work,” he laughs.
BATTLE OF THE BARN – KEEPING MC CULTURE ALIVE
I have to bring up Battle of the Barn, because I was lucky enough to be there at Bass Barn for the live finals. It was something special – six DJs, six MCs, all paired up on the spot, performing in front of a live crowd and a judging panel packed with heavyweights like Amplify, Weejii Man, and Furniss.
It was raw, exciting, and gave real shine to new grassroots talent.
“When I started, competitions were a big thing,” Blaine explains. “Evil did Who’s On Smoke, Eks did Next Hype Dreps, Azza and Grima all threw comps. I entered all of them. I wanted to showcase what I did.
“Now, comps don’t define you – and I went runner-up more times than I won – but I never stopped grinding. There’s been a lack of MC culture these past few years, so I wanted to do my bit. Give up-and-comers a chance to showcase what they’ve got.”
And that he did. Winners got bookings, exposure, and a platform that’ll keep growing – with Battle of the Barn already set to return in 2026. “Props to everyone that entered,” he grins. “It’ll be back earlier next year. Big up Settla and Louis the Don on the win.”
(You can still watch the full stream back here on YouTube.)
NEXT STOP: XOYO
This Saturday, Blaine returns with his fifth annual birthday bash – a full B-Line showcase – at XOYO Birmingham.
“If I’m honest, we knew we had to go bigger this year. The growth’s been crazy! I can’t wait to present my first ever B-Line showcase to the ears of Birmingham,” he says.
With Selecta’s Casino Royale concept setting the stage, expect nothing less than high energy, heavy basslines, and a full-circle celebration of how far this young artist has come.
🎟️ Tickets available on Skiddle
LESSONS, GRAFT AND WHAT’S NEXT
The DnB world moves fast, and B-Line’s learnt to balance it all. “Working full-time can be hard because I don’t really take holidays – I save them for promo or festivals,” he admits. “That can lead to burnout and holes in creativity when you’re tired. This year I’ve also had some health challenges out of nowhere, but things are looking up now.
“Keeping up with friends and family can be hard too, but it’s important to make time. I don’t see Drum and Bass as a chore – it can be challenging, but the love I’ve got for what I do always pays off somewhere.”
After XOYO, things don’t slow down. “Next up is the Macky Gee tour – I’m honestly buzzing. Macky was one of the first people I listened to when I got into drums. To say I’m hosting his tour is something I’ll always be grateful for. My goals for next year are to push out to a wider audience, hit more festivals, maybe even beyond the UK, and keep releasing music consistently. I’ve got loads lined up.”
“STAY HUMBLE, PERFECT YOUR CRAFT…”
Before we wrap, I ask him what advice he’d give to anyone trying to carve out their place in the scene.
His answer’s simple but solid: “Stay humble. Perfect your craft. If you feel like you’ve found your sound, don’t give up on it. Work together as artists and build something.”
And that’s exactly what he’s doing – building something real, brick by brick, rhyme by rhyme.
Follow B-Line: @bline_uk
Watch Battle of the Barn: YouTube Live Replay
Tickets for Selecta Presents: Casino Royale (8th Nov @ XOYO Birmingham): Skiddle link
