Flava D[UK]

Flava D is the alias of Danielle Gooding, a producer and DJ known for her work in U.K. bass sounds from garage to grime.

In 2013, Gooding signed to the acclaimed grime label Butterz and subsequently released Hold On and On My Mind. The former balances a lush, smooth take on garage with unabating, dancefloor-driving rhythms, whereas the latter (a collaboration with Royal T) features three takes on ecstatic synth work. Flava D’s In the Dance EP arrived in 2014 via Champion’s Formula Records, and saw the producer “[e]ffortlessly blending garage, bassline, and grime with an unhealthy dollop of sugar” (Resident Advisor). In 2017, she released the garage single “Happy” with Miss Fire, which saw a remix from acclaimed U.K. newcomer Murlo.

Flava D is also part of the supergroup t q d with DJ Q and Royal T, who together epitomize a contemporary U.K. sound. Their debut release, ukg, came out on Butterz in March, 2017, and amalgamates the sounds of bassline and garage. The album also features executive production by Butterz bosses Elijah & Skilliam, as well as an appearance from the singular, innovative producer Swindle. ukg was preceded by a few singles, including the robust “Vibsing Ting” and “Ghosts”.

Her DJ sets are anchored in her own infectious productions, and have appeared at London’s Fabric, the U.K.’s Bangface Weekender, and Ableton Loop Berlin 2017, to name a few. She has contributed to the seminal Fabriclive mix series as well as FACT Magazine’s Against the Clock series.