Ep#103: What Makes Something Jungle? With Jungalist Historian, Julia Toppin

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What happened to jungle music? How did a genre born from Black British culture, reggae sound systems, and 90s rave scenes become dominated by white, male audiences—and where are the women who helped shape it?

In this episode of Girls Twiddling Knobs, Isobel explores these questions with Julia Toppin, a lecturer, music entrepreneur, and self-proclaimed “Junglist Historian.” Julia takes us through jungle’s vibrant origins, its evolution into drum and bass, and the systemic challenges that sidelined both women and Black voices in the scene.

They discuss trailblazers like DJ Rap and EQ50, the barriers women faced breaking into male-dominated spaces, and the exciting resurgence of jungle led by a new generation of diverse artists. Along the way, you’ll discover the unique sounds that define jungle and the enduring impact of reggae sound system culture.

Tune in for an eye-opening exploration of jungle’s history, its cultural shifts, and its bold future—plus a playlist of tracks that showcase its iconic legacy.

Listen to the What Makes Something Playlist (specially curated for GTK by Julia) >> 

Find out more about Julia’s research >> 

Connect with Julia on X >>

Nzinga Sound >>

EQ 50 Collective >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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