As we look ahead to 2025, several talented women are at the forefront of shaping the drum and bass landscape, each bringing their unique style and energy to the genre. This article spotlights five essential female artists – Mollie Collins, Charlotte Plank, Nia Archives, venbee, and Issey Cross – whose recent work and trajectory position them as leading voices to watch in the coming year. Their contributions, spanning energetic DJ sets, innovative productions, and distinctive musical approaches, underscore the dynamic and evolving nature of drum and bass.
- Rising Stars: The article spotlights five female drum and bass artists – Mollie Collins, Charlotte Plank, Nia Archives, venbee, and Issey Cross – poised to significantly impact the genre in 2025.
- Diverse Styles: These artists represent a range of approaches, from energetic DJ sets and innovative productions to genre-blending experimentation and honest songwriting, showcasing the dynamic nature of drum and bass.
- Key Achievements: The article highlights their recent successes, including chart-topping collaborations, critically acclaimed albums, festival appearances, and industry recognition, solidifying their positions as leading voices.
- Future Impact: Their continued creativity, versatility, and dedication to the genre position them as essential artists to watch, shaping the sound and future of drum and bass.
Mollie Collins
Mollie Collins has firmly established herself as a dynamic force within the drum and bass scene, consistently captivating audiences with her energetic performances and evolving production style. Her robust schedule of upcoming events and festival appearances throughout 2024 and extending into 2025 demonstrates her continued high demand as a DJ. Notable appearances include the family-friendly Raver Tots Outdoor Festival in Kent and Barnet in 2025, the renowned Hospitality On The Beach in Croatia in July 2025, and the Together Again Festival in Cheshire in the same month. These bookings, alongside numerous club nights both in the UK and internationally , highlight her broad appeal across different segments of the drum and bass community. Further solidifying her influential position is her show on KISS FM, a major radio station that provides a significant platform for showcasing her own music and the wider drum and bass genre to a substantial audience. This role allows her to act as a tastemaker, introducing new sounds and artists to a potentially vast listenership beyond dedicated drum and bass enthusiasts. 1
In terms of her own musical output, Mollie Collins has demonstrated a willingness to experiment and push creative boundaries. Her recent single, “Hurricane,” featuring vocalist Leah Guest, exemplifies this evolution with its incorporation of live recorded violins and electric guitar over her signature punchy drums. Collins herself describes this track as one of her personal favorites, an “ode to the rave,” indicating a deep connection to the energetic core of drum and bass. This integration of live instrumentation into her typically electronic sound suggests a move towards a more dynamic and unique sonic palette, potentially attracting listeners who appreciate musicality beyond purely synthesized elements. Earlier in 2024, she released the Latin-inspired track “Liquor By The Litre” featuring P Money and Laurena Volanté. This exploration of diverse influences within drum and bass, further highlighted by remixes from established figures like Benny Page and Murder He Wrote, showcases her versatility and broad musical interests. Her past achievements include winning the “Best Female Artist” award in 2020 for her debut album, “Musicality,” released on her own label, Right Good Records. With plans to relaunch the label in late 2024 or early 2025 , she is demonstrating a continued commitment to fostering new talent and maintaining control over her artistic vision. Additionally, her work remixing tracks for artists outside of drum and bass, such as Jonas Blue and Timmy Trumpet , underscores her production skills and potential for wider crossover success, indicating an ability to adapt her sound to different musical contexts. Mollie Collins’ consistent presence as a DJ, her evolving production style that embraces live instrumentation and diverse influences, her influential radio show, and her dedication to the scene through her label all contribute to her status as a dynamic and significant artist to watch in 2025. 2
Charlotte Plank
Charlotte Plank has rapidly emerged as a compelling artist in the drum and bass scene, achieving notable chart success and garnering significant recognition for her unique blend of songwriting and DNB rhythms. Her collaboration with Rudimental and Vibe Chemistry on “Dancing Is Healing” in 2023 proved to be a major breakthrough, reaching the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart and earning a nomination for a Brit Award. This achievement brought her considerable mainstream attention, solidifying her position as a prominent artist within the broader UK music landscape, extending beyond the confines of the drum and bass genre. She further demonstrated her ability to create popular tracks within the core DNB scene with her Top 40 hit “Rave Out,” a collaboration with Turno and Skepsis. This success, coupled with her 2024 single “Green & Gold,” which reunited her with Rudimental and Skepsis, and also featured Riko Dan, further underscores her strong working relationship with these established artists and a successful formula for creating popular DNB tracks. 3
Beyond her collaborative efforts, Charlotte Plank has also showcased her individual artistic vision through a series of solo releases in 2024, including “Nightshift,” which cleverly sampled Groove Armada‘s iconic track, as well as “Stargirl” and “ellen”. The release of the “stargirl + ellen” remix package further expanded the reach and offered diverse interpretations of her solo work. Looking ahead to 2025, she has already released the single “chemical fashion” and has an upcoming EP titled “ClubLiminal“. The subsequent release of “candy stores” as another single from this EP builds anticipation for the full project and highlights the eclectic nature of her sound. Her collaborative spirit extends to working with NOTION on the track “TEMPORARY FRIENDS” , demonstrating her willingness to engage with other artists in the electronic music scene. A significant milestone in her career was signing with RCA Records and WME for touring , a move that provides her with greater resources and opportunities for wider reach and professional development. Industry recognition of her potential for significant growth in the coming year is evident in her inclusion in Vevo’s DSCVR Artists to Watch for 2025. Charlotte Plank’s ability to achieve both commercial success and critical acclaim within the drum and bass genre, alongside her consistent output of solo and collaborative tracks and significant industry backing, firmly establishes her as a key artist to watch in 2025. Her fusion of pop-infused songwriting with the fast-paced rhythms of drum and bass has clearly resonated with a broad audience, positioning her for continued success. 4
Nia Archives
Nia Archives has emerged as a distinctive and influential voice in the drum and bass scene, particularly within the realm of jungle music, earning critical acclaim for her unique style and significant releases. Her debut studio album, “Silence Is Loud,” released in April 2024, marked a major milestone, charting in the UK and receiving widespread positive reviews, including a prestigious nomination for the Mercury Prize. The album featured notable singles such as “Crowded Roomz,” “Silence Is Loud,” “Unfinished Business,” and “Cards On The Table,” each showcasing her distinctive approach to the genre. This debut album’s success and Mercury Prize nomination signify a significant artistic breakthrough, establishing her as a vital voice in the UK music scene. Further demonstrating her connection to the roots of jungle and drum and bass is her “Up Ya Archives with Nia Archives, Ep. 1 (DJ Mix),” released in December 2024. This DJ mix highlights her skills as a selector and curator, reinforcing her deep understanding and appreciation of the genre’s history and current trends. 5
A defining characteristic of Nia Archives’ musical style is her intentional fusion of jungle music with elements of Britpop, a sonic exploration she prominently featured on “Silence Is Loud“. This genre-bending approach results in a sound that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly new, setting her apart from more traditional jungle artists. She has cultivated an “emotional junglist” persona, often contrasting introspective and personal lyrical themes with the high-energy rhythms of jungle. This juxtaposition creates a compelling listening experience, appealing to those who appreciate both the energetic nature of dance music and meaningful lyrical content. Her musical foundations are deeply rooted in 90s jungle pioneers like Goldie, as well as her Jamaican heritage and background in sound system culture. These influences provide an authentic base for her innovative approach to the genre. Furthermore, her DIY ethos and her own label, HIJINXX , underscore her independent spirit and the creative control she maintains over her artistic output, contributing to her unique and authentic sound. Nia Archives’ critically acclaimed debut album, her unique genre-blending style, the personal nature of her lyrics, and her strong connection to the history of jungle music all position her as a leading artist in the evolution of drum and bass and a must-listen in 2025. Her willingness to experiment and push boundaries while honoring the traditions of jungle makes her a compelling and influential figure. 6
venbee
venbee has quickly risen as a prominent figure in the drum and bass scene, marked by successful collaborations, consistent releases, and an ability to connect with a wide audience through her honest songwriting. Her 2024 collaboration with Grammy-nominated artist Marshmello on “No Man’s Land” showcased her versatility within the genre, blending acoustic guitar melodies with her nuanced vocals and a liquid drum and bass production. This partnership with a major international artist significantly broadened her reach, exposing her music to a new and diverse listenership. She further demonstrated her appeal across different electronic music genres through her collaboration with John Summit on “palm of my hands,” which also received an official Odd Mob remix. Working with a prominent figure in the house music scene like Summit highlights her adaptability, and the remix illustrates the malleability of her tracks for different sonic interpretations. Her 2024 solo single, “dark place,” offered a glimpse into a more introspective side, described as a late-night soundtrack exploring themes of resilience. This release underscores her continued solo output and exploration of various moods within her music. Kicking off 2025, she released “this one’s different,” a personal track exploring long-distance romance, continuing her trend of honest and relatable songwriting. 7
Her debut mixtape, “zero experience,” released in October 2023, served as a comprehensive introduction to her sound and featured collaborations with established drum and bass heavyweights such as Chase & Status, goddard., Hybrid Minds, and Rudimental. This project solidified her position within the drum and bass scene and showcased her ability to work alongside influential artists. A key element of venbee’s appeal is her blend of energetic drum and bass production with raw and honest lyrics that deeply resonate with listeners. This combination, often exploring personal experiences and vulnerabilities, has particularly struck a chord with a younger audience. Her early self-released track, “Low Down,” and her subsequent chart success with “Messy in Heaven” (featuring goddard.) , demonstrate her rapid rise and the impact of her initial work. Furthermore, her music’s popularity on platforms like TikTok indicates a strong connection with a younger, digitally engaged audience, highlighting her effective use of social media for music discovery and promotion. venbee’s successful collaborations with major artists, her consistent release of solo material, her honest and relatable songwriting, and her strong social media presence all point towards her continued ascent in the drum and bass scene, making her a significant artist to watch in 2025. 8
Issey Cross
Issey Cross has carved a unique space in the electronic music scene, demonstrating versatility across drum and bass and other UK dance genres through her recent releases and collaborations. Her 2024 single, “Sleepwalking,” featuring British rapper Songer and produced by Shapes & Sudley , showcased her ability to blend her vocal style with the rhythms of drum and bass while incorporating rap elements. The subsequent Serum remix of “Sleepwalking” further highlighted the track’s adaptability within different drum and bass subgenres. Throughout 2024, she also released various versions of her single “Energy In My Town,” featuring collaborations with artists like Coco, Spyda, Gardna, and Devilman. This series of collaborations on the same track underscored her versatility and her ability to adapt her sound to different vocal styles within the drum and bass framework. Demonstrating her range as a songwriter, she released “Different Planets” in late 2024, her first ballad, offering a more mellow and introspective side to her artistry. Kicking off 2025, she ventured into UK garage with the single “Sirens,” a collaboration with Sammy Virji. This move indicated her willingness to experiment with other UK dance genres, potentially bridging different scenes within the electronic music landscape. Her earlier collaborations with Wilkinson on “Used to This” and with Luude and Moby on “Oh My” both achieved chart success , establishing her as a sought-after vocalist and songwriter within the broader electronic music scene. 9
Issey Cross’ career has also seen significant developments in terms of live performances. She joined Becky Hill‘s European headline tour and made appearances at prominent festivals such as Glastonbury, Love Saves The Day, Sundown, and Boardmasters. These high-profile performances indicate her growing recognition and demand as a live act. Additionally, her performance at Rise Festival in the French Alps further demonstrates her expanding reach beyond the UK. Issey Cross’ consistent release of diverse tracks spanning drum and bass and UK garage, her collaborations with a range of notable artists, and her increasing presence at major festivals all point towards her continued growth and influence in the electronic music scene, making her a versatile and exciting artist to watch in 2025. 10
Mollie Collins, Charlotte Plank, Nia Archives, venbee, and Issey Cross represent a dynamic and diverse array of talent within the drum and bass genre. Each artist, through their unique styles, recent successes, and innovative approaches, is significantly contributing to the evolving landscape of DNB. From Mollie Collins’ energetic DJ presence and genre-bending productions to Charlotte Plank’s chart-topping collaborations and solo endeavors, Nia Archives’ distinctive fusion of jungle and Britpop, venbee’s honest songwriting and successful partnerships, and Issey Cross’ versatility across DNB and UK garage, these artists are shaping the sound of drum and bass as we head into 2025. Their continued creativity and impact make them essential listening for anyone interested in the future of this vibrant genre. Music enthusiasts are encouraged to explore their extensive catalogs and stay tuned for their upcoming projects, as these Bassline Queens are undoubtedly set to rule the drum and bass scene in the year ahead.
- https://ra.co/dj/molliecollins ↩︎
- https://edmcave.com/mollie-collins-serves-up-a-hit-with-liquor-by-the-litre-ft-p-money-and-lauren-volante/ ↩︎
- https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/64599/charlotte-plank/ ↩︎
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Plank ↩︎
- https://www.discogs.com/release/30404348-Nia-Archives-Silence-Is-Loud ↩︎
- https://www.sniffers.co.nz/article/nia-archives-depths-dance-music ↩︎
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venbee ↩︎
- https://www.venbeeofficial.com/music/ ↩︎
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Issey_Cross ↩︎
- https://readdork.com/news/issey-cross-sirens-sammy-virji/ ↩︎
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