TRIP HOP PLAYLIST: STEP INTO THE SHADOWS
This playlist is an invitation to journey through moody soundscapes and hypnotic rhythms of Trip Hop. Born in the underground scenes of Bristol in the 90s, this musical genre blends Hip Hop, Dub, Soul, Electro, and way more in an expérimental way. It is a perfect soundtrack for introspection, night drives, or creative flow.
A movement strongly linked to its hometown
The history of trip hop is deeply tied to its hometown. Going back to the 18th century, Bristol stood as one of England’s most important cities, largely due to its thriving port. It quickly became the country’s largest hub for the transatlantic slave trade, trafficking people from Africa, the Antilles, and India.
From this dark legacy, Bristol grew into a deeply cosmopolitan city. Generations of immigrants fought to preserve their cultures and traditions, shaping a vibrant cultural mix that still defines the city today. This fusion is especially evident in its music scene, particularly during the St Pauls Carnival. In this Caribbean-rooted district, bands, crews, sound systems, and artist collectives fill the streets with music, which then spills into the night in clubs where sound systems battle deep into the early hours.
The Dugout, located between St Pauls and Clifton, became the most important club in trip hop’s early history. Situated in what was then considered the punk neighborhood, the club was a melting pot of sound and culture. DJs and MCs blended Afro-Caribbean heritage with punk energy and fresh influences from the US such as hip hop and house. Out of this alchemy, trip hop began to take shape.
The Wild Bunch, the origin of Trip Hop
If you partied at the Dugout in the late ’80s, you probably heard The Wild Bunch. Their sound defined Bristol’s youth—diverse, defiant, and fiercely creative. Each member brought different influences: reggae, soul, hip hop, house, post-punk, electro. But their shared love of music created a space where freedom and experimentation weren’t just allowed—they drove everything.
This scene pushed back against the mainstream. They ditched commercial trends and built a raw, community-rooted sound that sparked Bristol’s musical revolution.
The Wild Bunch quickly made a name for themselves across the UK. They spun sets in London clubs, soaking in the acid jazz movement. There, they met Neneh Cherry, who loved their sound and pushed them to take the next leap.
Unfortunately the group crashed in 1989. However, DJ Grant Marshall, founder of the sound system and reggae lover, continued to create sound with 3D. He was a MC with hip hop and house influence. Mushroom, who was more into Soul and Funk, also contributed. With Neneh Cherry pushing them, they created their new band Massive Attack. They wanted to merge all their music influences without limiting themselves to the genre’s frontiers. This resulted in their first album Blue Line, which was also the first Trip Hop album.
The playlist
On the playlist, you’ll find the classic trip hop bands. Massive Attack, of course, but also Portishead. Another pillar of the genre is Tricky, a former member and MC of The Wild Bunch, who plays a significant role here as well. Nellee Hooper, another ex-member of the iconic sound system, also carried the trip hop torch—this time as a producer. He helped shape the sound of several artists, notably guiding Björk on her debut solo album Debut.
You’ll also hear tracks from the influential Mo’Wax label, which acted as an accelerator for the trip hop movement. Its founder, James Lavelle, created the collective UNKLE. The project truly took off with the arrival of DJ Shadow, the American producer who had already brought trip hop to the US in 1994 with his In/Flux EPs, released on Mo’Wax. His joining UNKLE led to the release of their first album Psyence Fiction, featuring standout collaborations, including one with Thom Yorke of Radiohead.
Now you’re ready to dive into what you’re about to hear, to explore this hybrid music, born of a multiracial youth that rejected boxes, labels, and borders. A free, elusive sound that defies genres as much as it defies norms. Music that tells the story of the rich cultural roots that raised it…
Don’t hesitate to check out our other playlists for more music culture: RETRO GROOVE ENSEMBLE: IRK PLAYLIST #2
Louis Lambert is a young french fashion photographer.
Lambert spent a year in New York where he learned about another culture and developed his photographic eye on the street by following in the footsteps of his peers.
Now in his home city, Paris, he is working with IRK as a photo journalist.
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