hAZEL: The Raw Energy of UK Garage and Bassline
hAZEL is a British DJ and producer who has become a pivotal force in the modern UK garage and bassline scene. Hailing from Sheffield, her 2022 single "Badders" achieved viral status, leading to a major label deal with Warner Music UK and cementing her reputation as a chart-disrupting talent.
Early career
Born in 1998, hAZEL, whose real name is Hannah Adeleke, began her musical journey in Sheffield's vibrant club culture. She started DJing at local events and university parties, quickly developing a signature style that blended classic UK garage with the heavier, faster tempos of bassline and 4x4.
Her first official releases came through independent platforms like Bandcamp and SoundCloud around 2019. These early tracks caught the attention of niche radio shows and established DJs, laying a grassroots foundation for her explosive rise.
Breakthrough
The year 2022 marked hAZEL's definitive breakthrough with the release of "Badders," a collaboration with producer Interplanetary Criminal. The track's infectious energy and viral spread on social media propelled it into the UK Singles Chart, where it peaked at number 22.
This success was swiftly followed by her signing to Warner Music UK later that year. The major label backing provided a platform for larger-scale releases and high-profile festival bookings, transitioning hAZEL from an underground sensation to a mainstream dance music contender.
Key tracks
Badders — This 2022 collaboration with Interplanetary Criminal became a viral anthem and her first UK Top 40 hit, defining the modern bassline sound.
Never Let You Go — Released in 2023, this single showcased her vocal abilities and songwriting, adding a deeper, soulful layer to her high-energy productions.
In The Morning — A 2024 release that further refined her blend of garage nostalgia with contemporary production, receiving strong support from BBC Radio 1.
Feel It — This earlier track, championed by DJs like Conducta, helped establish her raw, energetic sound within the UK garage revival circuit.
Following her breakthrough, hAZEL has maintained a prolific output, including the 2023 EP "On The Horizon." She has collaborated with artists like Sammy Virji and conducted high-profile remixes, while her DJ sets at festivals like Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds demonstrate her commanding stage presence. Her music continues to evolve, pulling from jungle, drum & bass, and classic house while remaining rooted in UK garage.
Fans of hAZEL's high-octane blend of genres should also explore similar artists shaping the UK dance scene. Interplanetary Criminal co-produced her breakthrough hit and shares her bassline-driven approach. Sammy Virji operates in a similar space of modernized UK garage with pop sensibilities. Nia Archives brings a junglist energy that complements hAZEL's rhythmic intensity. Bru-C also merges vocal-led songwriting with bass-heavy garage and drum & bass.
hAZEL's music is a staple on forward-thinking dance music radio stations. Her tracks receive regular rotation on specialist BBC Radio 1 shows like Dance Party and Future Artists, as well as on independent music radio stations and online garage radio streams dedicated to the UK underground sound.
Listeners can discover the dynamic sound of hAZEL through the radio stations featured on onairium.com. Tune in to hear her chart-topping hits and latest bassline anthems broadcast on a curated selection of electronic and alternative music stations available on our platform.
