Artist Profile: Vandull

It’s a stormy night outside. The clock strikes 1:00 A.M. in a dimly-lit function beneath the bustling grounds of Nottingham, United Kingdom (U.K.). Sound-system bass pulses through the dark depths of this dubstep dungeon. Rap vocalists complement each artist’s set, threading a human touch throughout hour-long strings of full-throttle tunes. Up next is the event headliner. Their emcee? Vandull. Fans erupt with enthusiastic cheer, knowing Vandull champions the verbal arts in modern dubstep spaces.

Emcees (MC) have long been central to dubstep since the genre’s birth in late ‘90s U.K. club culture. In event contexts, an MC hosts the show, introducing artists to the stage and striving for smooth set transitions. MCs also rap to dubstep tracks, adding an oral element to the evolving genre. Luke Greenhill aka Vandull is renowned as one of today’s most talented MCs, carrying the torch of dubstep’s vocal roots and keeping its verbal flame alive. Seeing Vandull on a lineup suggests listeners are in for a history-lesson treat.

As a young bloke, Vandull was drawn to a diverse variety of musicians. He spent afternoons jamming out with his dad, listening to the likes of Slipknot, The Prodigy, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. At age 13, Vandull began rapping, inspired by the film 8 Mile starring Eminem. Beyond bands, iconic rap verses from Eminem and Dr. Dre vividly filled the background of Vandull’s upbringing.

“I grew up inspired by legends like Eminem and Dr. Dre,” says Vandull, a lifelong native of Nottingham. “Now, I listen to Kojey Radical and Cult of the Damned, among similar artists. Conscious rappers continue to influence my craft today.”

Vandull also recalls viewing Iron Soloman rap battles to build his improv skills and improve his vocal technique. His signature style evokes raw and unfiltered emotion, using storytelling as a device to dismantle structural disparities and question status quos.

As Vandull’s visibility in dubstep circles has soared, he’s collaborated with notable names like Chief Kaya, Prophet, DALEK ONE, G-Space, Mikrodot and more. At Shambhala Music Festival in 2019, Vandull performed alongside Abstrakt Sonance in a live set at the beloved AMP stage. In December 2020, Vandull paired with dubstep legend and Digital Mystikz icon, Coki, to deliver their dynamic tune ‘Chokey.’

The distinguished MC’s discography continues to expand, with many disruptive gems shining bright. Vandull fearlessly calls out capitalism, classism, and other vertical power structures for leading to devastating community-level outcomes like crime, poverty, substance abuse, houselessness, mental health challenges and more.

In Background Noise alum Grundy.’s remix of ‘Outlaw,’ Vandull’s powerful voice casts a harrowing shadow over the heater’s stenchy sewer sounds. Peeling back the layers of this track, a transformative theme arises: Crime doesn’t occur in a vacuum. Through this stomper, Vandull tackles sobering topics about life in the streets, spitting verbal stabs at State-sanctioned violence to illustrate stories of working class struggle.

Vandull also reveals his vulnerable side in songs like ‘Me Time’ by DOKTER, rapping lyrics like “random fixes of blues lead to random mixes of booze.” The piece is an inward reflection on adversity and survival. Vandull’s chilling tone blends with DOKTER’s atmospheric soundscape, building a timeless ballad that imagines community life beyond the borders of capitalist exploitation and class hierarchy.

At the intersection of these global issues, Vandull’s voice channels an iconic quote by gang violence prevention advocate Dr. César A. Cruz: “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.”

Beyond the verbal arts, Vandull dedicates his career to supporting young disadvantaged teenagers. He loves his line of work, connecting marginalized youth with adequate community resources and long-term socioeconomic support.

This job is one of many things mirroring Vandull’s passion for passing dubstep on to future generations, keeping the genre’s genesis aflame. Bass music scenes have historically served as safe spaces for marginalized folks and social outcasts. As an MC, Vandull’s lyrics give ode to old school dubstep, preserving the sacred sound designs and nostalgic safety nets of late ‘90s & early-mid ‘00s electronic culture.

He steadfastly holds one mantra close: “Skrillex isn’t dubstep.” It’s true that Skrillex transformed dubstep in the early ‘10s, inspiring producers to experiment with novel approaches and new subgenres. However, Vandull is adamant about remembering and honoring dubstep’s roots ranging from grime, dub reggae and U.K. garage, to sound-system culture, MC performances and spoken word art.

The gravity of Vandull’s MC work stands out among a growing virtual library of bass music. His haunting yet refreshing tracks are no doubt on repeat in the rotations of countless dubstep heads. Vandull’s timeless tunes invite listeners to return to his lyrics again and again, finding new stories amidst the same captivating verses. And he lives for bringing smiles to the faces of sound-lovers worldwide.

“I find joy in bringing joy to others,” Vandull says. “So if people enjoy my music, I’m happy.”

This article was originally published through Background Noise.