Eli Brown is bringing his musical journey full circle with ‘Badman Riddim’, a new collaboration with legendary MC IRAH. Arriving October 30 via Insomniac Records, the track blends techno power with the drum and bass influences that shaped Brown’s early years.
The release marks the fifth single from Brown’s upcoming debut album, Panic Attack, due November 13. The project sees the Bristol-born producer explore the sounds and experiences that helped define his musical identity.
Eli Brown Reconnects With His Drum & Bass Roots
While Brown is now recognised for his driving techno sound, his connection to drum and bass goes back much further. Growing up in Bristol, he spent his formative years attending drum and bass raves before eventually making the music himself.
In a recent Instagram post, Brown opened up about that influence. He also reminded fans of his earlier days as part of Loadstar, the drum and bass project that helped establish his production roots.
“It’s part of my DNA,” Brown explained, reflecting on his lasting connection to the genre. For Brown, bringing these influences into Panic Attack felt essential. He chose IRAH to help bridge the gap between techno and drum and bass, citing the MC’s unmistakable voice as a key reason for the collaboration.
A Techno Weapon With IRAH on the Mic
‘Badman Riddim’ pairs Brown’s pounding techno production with IRAH’s gritty, commanding vocal delivery. Its sharp rhythmic breaks and forceful basslines give the track an aggressive, high-energy character. The production layers ominous horn stabs, siren-like effects and rapid-fire rhythmic details over a relentless groove. Meanwhile, IRAH’s gravelly flows bring a raw edge to the track, drawing on the energy of grime and UK soundsystem culture.
The result is a meeting point between Brown’s modern techno sound and the bass-heavy styles that influenced him early on. Rather than leaving those roots behind, he brings them into the world he has built as a techno producer.
The Road to Panic Attack
‘Badman Riddim’ is the latest preview of Brown’s debut album, Panic Attack, which arrives November 13 through Insomniac Records. The album follows a run of singles that have showcased different sides of his current sound.
With this release, Brown offers a more personal glimpse into the influences behind the project. His collaboration with IRAH also highlights how the sounds of Bristol’s underground continue to inform his work.
