Jungle Empire

Jungle Empire is a Mexico City collective of DJs and promoters founded in 2001 by Godfatha, Rhythmo and Octavio Pedraza. Its first party in the city brought drum and bass to La Faena, with Slip n Slide and Linga among the performers. The crew’s members encountered Toronto’s drum-and-bass scene on trips that started in 1998. Jungle Empire has organized more than 30 events in Mexico, promoting drum and bass, jungle and bass music.

International bookings have included DJ Marky, D-Bridge and Nu:Tone. Its events have used Mexico City spaces such as Ex-Fabrica de Harina, Foro Normandie and Teatro Diego Rivera, and the crew has also put on a night at Junction Underground in Toronto.

Jungle Empire developed Mr. Happy, a party format featuring international guest DJs, and Wicked Nites, which centered mainly on Mexican performers. In 2005, the crew organized the first Drum And Bass Fest at El Colmillo on Versalles Street. John and Rhythmo left in 2007 after relocating, while Skull and Flavor joined; Flavor became the collective’s director.

Jungle Empire and Apolorama launched Bajo Fest in 2015. The nationwide festival focuses on Mexican producers and DJs.