SL2 are an English breakbeat hardcore group from London, England. They also recorded, remixed or produced under the names Slipmatt & Lime and T.H.C. Starting out as a group of three, SL2 was originally a coming together of DJs Matt "Slipmatt" Nelson and John "Lime" Fernandez, and rap vocalist Jason "Jay-J" James. The SL2 name came from the founders' initials: Slipmatt (S) and Lime (L), and the fact that they were a duo, hence "SL2".
As youngsters in 1980s Britain, they were into hip-hop, before having their heads turned by the growing rave scene. Their big break came in 1989 through Slipmatt's older brother, Paul Nelson, who was running the party-promoting organisation Raindance; they became the enterprise's resident DJs, playing parties all over the United Kingdom. A year into touring with Raindance, SL2 released their debut single, "Do That Dance", through B-Ware Records. Subsequently, SL2 set up their own Awesome Records label, through which they first released another single, "DJs Take Control". The record sold 3500 copies, attracting the attention of new dance label XL Recordings.
XL Recordings catapulted SL2 into the mainstream charts by re-releasing "DJs Take Control" which became a number 11 hit in the UK Singles Chart. More success followed accompanied by two female rave/breakbeat dancers, Jo Millett (who later produced her own music) and Kelly Overett (who would later go on to be a member of the Italian Eurodance act Cappella). The latter two appeared with Nelson, Fernandez and James in live shows and their videos. "On a Ragga Tip" was released in 1992 through XL Recordings, and became their biggest hit to date, spending 11 weeks in the UK chart. It peaked at number two, and was their first song to chart across Europe. With new hit "Way in My Brain" charting later that year, disagreements within the group saw SL2 split up by the end of 1993.
In 1997, a remix of their biggest hit, "On a Ragga Tip" re-entered the chart, leading Slipmatt and Lime to reconvene. Although no new material was ever released, they still continue to DJ on a semi-regular basis. "On a Ragga Tip", was used in the opening ceremony, of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
On 21 July 2015, The SL2 EP was released containing digitally remastered recordings of "On a Ragga Tip", "Way in My Brain", "DJs Take Control" and "The Noise".
Links to Peel[]
Peel first played SL2 in 1991, especially their DJs Take Control track that reached number 11 in the UK singles chart. Their follow up, On A Ragga Tip, was also played by JP, which peaked later at number 2 in the UK singles chart. A remix of On A Ragga Tip also was played by Peel in 1997, which again re-entered the charts, but not as high as the original version.
Shows Played[]
- 03 November 1991: 'DJs Take Control (12") (XL Recordings)
- 15 November 1991 (BFBS): 'DJs Take Control (12") (XL Recordings)
- 1992
- 27 March 1992: On A Ragga Tip (12") XL
- 1997
- 12 January 1997: On A Ragga Tip (Force & Styles Remix) (12" - On A Ragga Tip '97) XL