If you’re a veteran raver or Grandraver, as I like to say, and the name Reid Speed sounds vaguely familiar, it’s probably because the queen of Drum and Breaks has helped pioneer multi-genre bass sets and girl power in DJs since she first jumped on the decks in the early nineties. This girl had a serious presence in the ever-evolving Bass and Breaks scene that exploded in the early aughts.
Incorporating Drum and Bass, 2-step, Garage, Speed
Reid Speed popped up on the scene in the late nineties coming out of high school in New York. After buying her first set of turntables her senior year of high school, she knew she was hooked on making people lose their minds on the dancefloor. She landed a job at an underground record store, Breakbeat Science, allowing her to build on her technical skills and expand her musical knowledge while also rubbing elbows with a whole network of DJs, promoters, management, and labels.
That’s all she needed and in no time, (her name ain’t speed for nothin’ y’all) Reid Speed was carving her space as a pioneer in the Bass scene, and I hate to say this in 2019 but, that’s pretty dope for a woman, especially given that this was twenty years ago and things were much different for women who wanted to be taken seriously as artists and DJs. She has since remained a role model and influencer for other women in the industry and continues to be known and sought out for the amazing journeys through Bass and grime she takes her crowds on, keeping them sweaty and hungry for more, with a twist of retro rave and a dash of Breaks thrown in for spice.
Her sets are DELICIOUSLY BROKEN in the BEST possible way, and that’s why she’s our Women Crush Wednesday! Wanna check out one of her sets live? She’s on the lineup at Imagine 2019 in Atlanta NEXT MONTH. Come get fresh and freaky with us at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, and pay tribute to a powerhouse female who helped pave the way for some of the great women you see on the decks today!
