By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – London, The pulsating heart of the United Kingdom’s electronic music scene has found a new anthem in the high-octane collaboration between visionary producer Ahadadream and the venerable grime MC Capo Lee. Their latest single, titled ‘Put That Banger On Next,’ has officially arrived, marking a significant milestone for the newly established Dialled In Records. The track serves as a masterclass in genre-blending, seamlessly weaving the percussive complexity of UK funky with the sharp, rhythmic grit of grime, creating a sonic experience that is both a tribute to the past and a blueprint for the future of the London underground.
The release follows a period of immense momentum for Ahadadream, born Ahad Elley, who recently captivated global audiences with his high-profile collaboration alongside Skrillex and Raf-Saperra on the track ‘Bass Dhol.’ While ‘Bass Dhol’ showcased a heavy infusion of bhangra-influenced percussion and global bass aesthetics, ‘Put That Banger On Next’ pivots toward a more localized, British club sound. Both tracks were notably teased during Ahadadream’s high-energy DJ Mag HQ session last year, a performance that solidified his reputation as one of the most innovative curators and creators currently operating in the UK electronic sphere.
At its core, ‘Put That Banger On Next’ is a reflection of the cultural and musical journey of its creator. Ahadadream’s path to the forefront of the electronic scene is a narrative of migration, discovery, and eventual mastery. Having relocated from Pakistan to the United Kingdom at a formative age, Elley’s first encounters with the British rave scene were nothing short of transformative. He has often spoken about the sensory overload of attending underage raves in Stevenage, where the raw, unadulterated energy of jungle and grime first took hold of his imagination.
In reflecting on the inspirations behind the new single, Ahadadream pointed to specific cornerstones of the UK underground. He cited the seismic impact of grime classics like Lethal Bizzle’s ‘Pow!’ and jungle anthems such as Shy FX and UK Apache’s ‘Original Nuttah’ as foundational elements of his musical identity. As he matured and the scene evolved, the rise of UK funky—specifically tracks like Lil Silva’s ‘Seasons’—offered a new rhythmic vocabulary that would eventually become a hallmark of his production style. This blend of syncopated percussion and heavy low-end theory is the engine that drives ‘Put That Banger On Next.’
The choice of Capo Lee as a collaborator was a natural progression for a producer deeply embedded in the radio and club circuit. Capo Lee has long been regarded as one of grime’s most consistent and versatile lyricists, known for a flow that is both relaxed and incredibly precise. The two artists have crossed paths numerous times over the years, particularly during the heyday of London’s club nights like Butterz at the legendary (and now defunct) Cable nightclub. For Ahadadream, working with Capo Lee was an opportunity to merge his production prowess with a vocal style he had admired from the sidelines of the DJ booth and the radio studio for over a decade.
The resulting track is a testament to their shared history. Capo Lee’s vocals sit perfectly atop Ahadadream’s intricate drum patterns, providing a narrative weight to the track’s frenetic energy. The title itself, ‘Put That Banger On Next,’ acts as a self-fulfilling prophecy, capturing the impatient, high-stakes atmosphere of a peak-time DJ set where the crowd is constantly demanding the next hit of adrenaline.
Beyond the musicality of the single, the release carries significant cultural weight due to its home on Dialled In Records. The label is the newest venture from the Dialled In collective, a group that has become synonymous with the promotion and elevation of South Asian artistry within the electronic music world. Originally launching as a festival and community platform, Dialled In was born out of a necessity to create spaces where South Asian musicians, DJs, and creatives could thrive without being sidelined or pigeonholed.
The launch of the record label represents a strategic expansion of this mission. By providing a professional infrastructure for releases, Dialled In Records ensures that the unique perspectives of the South Asian diaspora are documented and distributed on a global scale. In an industry where representation has often been superficial, the work of co-founder Dhruva Balram and the rest of the Dialled In team is focused on long-term sustainability and genuine artistic empowerment. ‘Put That Banger On Next’ is one of the flagship releases for this new imprint, signaling a high standard of production and a commitment to club-ready sounds that refuse to be categorized by a single tradition.
The enrichment of the UK club scene through South Asian perspectives is a theme that runs deep in Ahadadream’s work. By integrating his heritage with the sounds of the London streets, he is part of a generation of artists who are rewriting the rules of what "British music" sounds like. This isn’t just about adding a world-music flair to a dance track; it is about the fundamental intersection of identities. The influence of South Asian percussion, the history of the dhol, and the rhythmic complexities found in traditional music are naturally compatible with the broken beats and bass-heavy frameworks of UK dance music.
As ‘Put That Banger On Next’ begins to circulate through the international club circuit, it serves as a reminder of the power of local scenes. The track is a love letter to the London radio culture and the communal experience of the dance floor. It captures a specific moment in time where the barriers between different sub-genres—funky, grime, and bass—are becoming increasingly porous.
For Capo Lee, the collaboration further cements his status as a bridge-builder in the scene. While many MCs remain tethered to the traditional structures of grime, Capo has consistently shown a willingness to experiment with different tempos and production styles, making him the ideal partner for a producer as eclectic as Ahadadream. His presence on the track brings an authenticity that connects the music to the roots of the UK pirate radio tradition, even as the production leans into modern, polished aesthetics.
Looking ahead, the success of ‘Put That Banger On Next’ is likely to set the tone for the future of Dialled In Records. The label’s emergence comes at a time when the electronic music industry is undergoing a period of intense self-reflection regarding diversity and inclusion. However, rather than waiting for established institutions to change, the team behind Dialled In has taken the initiative to build their own ecosystem. This DIY ethos, rooted in the same spirit that birthed grime and jungle decades ago, is what gives the label and its artists their undeniable edge.
In the broader context of Ahadadream’s career, this release marks a transition from a rising star to a central pillar of the electronic community. His ability to navigate the worlds of mainstream success—evidenced by his work with Skrillex—while maintaining a fierce dedication to his underground roots is a rare feat. He continues to use his platform to highlight the talent within his community, ensuring that the spotlight he enjoys is shared with those who helped build the foundations of the scene.
‘Put That Banger On Next’ is more than just a club track; it is a celebration of resilience, migration, and the unifying power of the beat. It stands as a testament to the fact that the most exciting music often happens at the fringes, where different cultures and sounds collide to create something entirely new. As the track reverberates through speakers from London to Lahore, it carries with it the spirit of the Stevenage raves, the energy of Cable, and the limitless potential of the South Asian diaspora in the 21st century. For those on the dance floor, the message is clear: the next banger has arrived, and it sounds like the future.