Upgrade (UK)

From Norwich, Upgrade (UK), whose real name is Sam Smith, produces and DJs British drum and bass, with jump-up among the styles associated with his work. His releases have appeared on DnB Allstars, RAM, Low Down Deep, Crucast and Serial Killaz, as well as Multi-Function. He also runs First Request, a label and soundsystem project. In 2019, he released the single Trigga Finga / The Saucer with Trigga on Low Down Deep Recordings, followed by the Friction remix single Popular (Friction Remix [UKF10]) on UKF.

In 2022, Upgrade teamed up with Teddy Killerz for the War On Silence single Global Riddim (Remixes). His 2025 single Vulture Culture, a collaboration with Bou, came out on Gossip. In 2026, he released Do You with Basstripper on DnB Allstars, then joined Bou and Eksman for the Gossip single War Starter.

In 2018, Upgrade’s criticism of KFC’s fries on Twitter became part of the company’s campaign announcing a new fries recipe. He has appeared at Lakota in Bristol and The Steel Yard in London, and has been associated with Sub Zero, Eksman, Disrupta, Trigga, Voltage and BassLayerz.