Two icons of the UK dance music world have collaborated for the first time ever. Pioneering artist, DJ and producer Sub Focus (real name Nick Douwma) has joined forces with beloved UK dance-pop star Katy B for brand new single “Push The Tempo,” out now via Casablanca Records.
Listen to Sub Focus x Katy B “Push The Tempo” here:
https://pushthetempo.lnk.to/PTT
The official music video for “Push The Tempo,” featuring appearances from Sub Focus and Katy B themselves, was directed by Duncan Lewis and Three Shades, and is also available now.
Watch the official music video for “Push The Tempo” here:
Both Sub Focus and Katy B saw their initial breakthroughs in the UK dance music scene happen around a similar time – and though the two have often shared bills at festivals and shows across the world – the two haven’t ever collaborated on a release before now.
New single “Push The Tempo” was previewed by Sub Focus and Katy B last month, when they shared a stage together at an impromptu, surprise pop-up show in London. The two performed the track for the first time, stoking anticipation of an eventual official release.
Of the collaboration, Sub Focus says, “Me and Katy have bumped into each other many times moving in the same circles for years – having mutual friends like Skream and Benga and we even train with the same PT! We only linked up in the studio really recently though and this was the first thing we wrote. She is amazing at writing about the experience and release of going clubbing and it reminded me of the vibe of her all time classic Katy on a Mission…”
And Katy B says, “So excited to have a collaboration with Sub Focus, I have always wanted to work with him. He’s such a legend in the game and have had so much fun joining him on stage and being part of his DJ sets previewing the track to his amazing fans. When writing the track my aim was to capture what it feels like to be in specifically a DnB rave, it’s such an amazing community of ravers with such a unique energy.”
This brand new release follows the recent announcement that Sub Focus has sold out all tickets for his forthcoming show at London’s Alexandra Palace. Selling out in a record time of 20 minutes, demand for the performance has been unprecedented – and will be Sub Focus’ biggest headline show to date. He is expected to bring a brand new version of his acclaimed live show, ‘Circular Sound,’ to the 10,000-capacity venue. Catch Sub Focus in the U.S. at EDC Orlando on Sunday, November 10 for a main stage set with Worship, the drum & bass collective alongside Dimension, Culture Shock and 1991.
“Push The Tempo” follows the previous single released by Sub Focus, “Wildfire,” which was his first new solo music to be released by the pioneering British electronic music artist this year. Sub Focus’ collaboration earlier this year with John Summit on the single “Go Back” with John was a huge success across the globe, with over 50 million global streams and counting since its release.
Last year’s “Ready To Fly,” the Top 30 single by Sub Focus & Dimension which was classified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry. The pair joined forces again recently on single “Angel,” making it their third collaboration, along with the Platinum-selling 2021 single “Desire.”
About Sub Focus:
Sub Focus (real name Nick Douwma) has been at the forefront of electronic music since his early releases shot to the top of the UK’s dance charts in 2005. He has since seen widespread acclaim and commercial success for his two certified-silver studio albums Sub Focus (2009), and Torus (2013) – which hit the number 11 spot on the UK Official Albums Chart and included chart topping singles “Tidal Wave” featuring Alpines (#12) and the top ten records “Endorphins” featuring Alex Clare and “Turn Back Time.” He returned with a brand new album in 2023, the UK Top 40 “Evolve,” which included the Gold-selling single “Ready To Fly,” a collaboration with Dimension.
Additional collaborations in his career include “Portals” in 2020 the OCC Dance Chart number 1 album with Wilkinson, the certified-Platinum single “Desire” in 2018 made in collaboration with Dimension. He has also worked with UK duo Chase & Status on “Flashing Lights,” Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke who featured on “Turn It Around,” and acclaimed vocalist MNEK on “Close” and produced Example’s 2010 UK number 3 hit single “Kickstarts.”
Famed for his live shows as well as his studio releases, Sub Focus has performed his acclaimed ‘Circular Sound’ audiovisual show to iconic venues across the globe, including most recently his biggest UK show to date: Wembley’s OVO Arena, which he sold out last year. Sub Focus is currently on tour across the world – for full live dates visit his website subfocus.com
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About Katy B:
The nation’s underground music luminary, Katy B, is a household name amongst pirate radio entrepreneurs and generations looking for an answer to raves and relationships. The South London-born vocalist, recognized by her compelling voice, has an impact over UK garage, funky and dubstep productions. Her first track to reach the billboards, “On A Mission,” announced the arrival of a new club-conscious renegade with an eye on the revolving door of pop.
On A Mission was both a commercial and critical success: the title track and Ms Dynamite-assisted “Lights On” reached the top five of the UK charts and Katy B was nominated for both the Ivor Novello and Mercury Music Prize. Its success set the precedent for Katy to make her major label debut three years later with her first UK number one album Little Red. She secured the chart double and her place amongst the pop glitterati when her collaboration with KDA and Tinie Tempah, “Turn The Music Louder (Rumble),” reached the number one spot on the UK Singles Chart.
2016’s collaborative project Honey – featuring credits from the likes of Kaytranada and Four Tet further showcased Katy’s ability to distill more cerebral electronica with four-to-the-floor club bangers. Katy returned with another release in 2023 with Kings of the Rollers called “Paradise.” Featuring Katy’s instantly recognizable, timeless and soulful vocals, this club ready track is lush with exhilarating hi-hats, heavy basslines, soaring strings and melodic keys.
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