Almost three decades in, Coco Bryce has played a vital role in developing jungle and breakbeat hardcore. As a DJ, producer, and label owner, his discography spans numerous imprints and a sonic signature that has become instantly recognizable. On March 6, Coco Bryce joins Timisaoara's Structure crew for a night of jungle history at Control Club.
Born and raised in the south of the Netherlands, Bryce's journey began in the early-to-mid-1990s. His initial introduction to dance music was through the high BPM, the no-holds-barred intensity of gabber and UK breakbeat hardcore, dominating the Dutch underground at the time. This attraction was seemingly at odds with his parallel involvement in skate culture. Nevertheless, the hybrid of these influences would later shape his approach to production.
In 1995, Bego took his first steps as a DJ, purchasing what he describes as a “pair of shitty Soundlab belt-drive turntables.” He learned the craft through friends, honing his skills at local hardcore raves. By the late 1990s, he began experimenting with production. In the year 2000, his first vinyl release hit the shelves.
Over the years, his sound has evolved across multiple styles, from hardcore and jungle to more experimental territory, such as skweee—a Scandinavian subgenre that fuses funk, chiptune, and hip-hop. Hip-hop has also significantly shaped him. Despite these genre-hopping tendencies, jungle and breakbeat hardcore remain his focus. His style is distinguished by playfully intricate drum programming, emotive chord progressions, and pitched-up vocal samples that pay homage to the golden era of jungle while pushing it into new territories.
Coco Bryce's production work has also been featured on some of the most respected labels in the breakbeat underground, including Fresh 86, Western Lore, 7th Storey Projects, Lobster Theremin, and Critical Music. His debut on Critical, Hold The Line (2020), brought his style to broader audiences, followed by two more acclaimed EPs, Daktari (2022) and Nirwana (2023).
While Coco Bryce may be best known for a steady stream of singles and EPs, his full-length albums dive deeper into his world. For example, Night On Earth (2019) captures intricate drums, warm melodies, and nostalgic atmospheres into a standout release. The double LP Phoenix (2023) takes things further as it shifts between moods and tempos with tracks like High Commander and Eyes Without A Face.
Beyond production prowess, Coco Bryce has also made a name for himself as a clairvoyant curator of jungle culture. His label, Myor, serves as both an outlet for his own music and a platform for artists like Rupture, FFF, Nectotype and Chavinski. Over time, Myor has expanded into several sub-labels, including Myor Massiv, Diamond Life, Faces Of Bass, and Ill Behaviour, each dedicated to a different shade of jungle, breakbeat, and hardcore.
Adding another dimension to his career, Bryce is also a radio fixture, having his monthly residency at the London-based online radio station Balamii. Every second Tuesday of the month, he reflects on jungle, hip-hop, UK garage, and beyond.
With genre-crossing versatility, Coco Bryce is shaping the landscape of modern breakbeat music. Whether through his productions, label curation, or engaging DJ sets, his influence can be felt across the underground.
