Aggressive, sample-heavy 90s club anthems with massive breakbeats and cheeky vocal hooks. High-octane dance music for peak-hour energy.
Porn Kings represent the rowdy, unpretentious heart of 90s British club culture. Their sound is defined by a relentless, thumping energy that sits somewhere between the grit of big beat and the polished euphoria of house. It is music that doesn't ask for permission, built on foundation-shaking kick drums and iconic, often cheeky vocal samples that are looped until they become hypnotic.
What truly sets them apart is their mastery of the 'pumping' sensation. Using heavy compression and aggressive synth stabs, they create a wall of sound that feels like it's physically pushing against the listener. While their peers might have leaned into more melodic trance, Porn Kings stayed grounded in the groove, utilizing breakbeat elements and siren-like textures to maintain a sense of urban urgency.
Start with 'Up To No Good' to understand their blueprint. It is a masterclass in how to build a global dance hit from a single, infectious hook and a driving rhythm. From there, explore 'Amour (C'mon)' for a taste of their more melodic but equally high-energy peak-time style.
The Porn Kings were a British dance music group, originally formed by Davy T, Paul Rowland, and Dan Evans. Davy and Dan were members of 2 Funky 2, best known for the 1993 hit "Brothers and Sisters". Davy was also a member of DJs Collective alongside Lee Butler, Paul Robertson, and Joe Da Bone, who were best known for the 1996 single "Rock to the Rhythm". Some vinyl copies were scratched out due to a fallout between Davy and Lee. The group's first single was released as a white label called "Pumping the Junk". It featured an original sample from Josh Wink's "Higher State of Consciousness". The track was picked up very quickly by All Around the World Productions, where it was reworked and renamed "Up to No Good" in 1996. The debut release became a hit in Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. The band released the album Up to No Good in 1999, recorded at P. K. Studios and PWL in Manchester, England. They also produced remixes for DJ Quicksilver, Young MC, Josh Wink, and Pamela Fernandez. Their track "We're Watching You" was included on the soundtrack of the 2001 film The Hole, starring Thora Birch and Keira Knightley. Kenny Hayes joined the group to help write the second single and the group's debut album. Further UK hits included "Amour (C'Mon)", "Up to the Wildstyle", "Sledger", and "Shake Ya Shimmy".
Shares house, big beat, eurodance (subgenres); sample based, compressed loud, studio polished (production style)
Shares house, big beat (subgenres); energetic, playful, confident (moods)
Shares house, big beat (subgenres); sample based, compressed loud, studio polished (production style)
Shares sample based, compressed loud, studio polished (production style); basement show, festival, urban night (atmosphere)
Shares house, big beat, eurodance (subgenres); sample based, compressed loud, studio polished (production style)
Shares sample based, compressed loud, studio polished (production style); house, big beat (subgenres)
Shares energetic, playful, confident (moods); basement show, festival, urban night (atmosphere)
Shares energetic, playful, confident (moods); house, big beat (subgenres)
Shares house, big beat (subgenres); processed, chanting (vocal style)
Shares energetic, playful, confident (moods); house, big beat (subgenres)
Shares big beat, turntables, house, nasal (subgenre)
Shares big beat, turntables, rebellious, drum machine (signature)
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