Within the techno genre, many claim to have been influenced by the now heavily commercialised hip hop movement. For Ben Long, one half of London's infamous and influential Space DJ'z, this statement comes from within.

Having grown up in the early 1980's immersing himself totally in the lifestyle of breakdancing and graffiti, his attitudes towards hip hop, and the connections he sees between it and techno were forged, and his beliefs are those of someone who has followed both genres from the underground upwards.

When commercialism finally set about popularising hip hop to the masses, Ben turned his focus towards the familiar beats and bass of techno to satisfy his love of electronic music. When Ben linked up with old friend Jamie Bissmire in 1988, the two urban Londoners had already been avid record collectors, and they began experimenting on turntables, and in the studio, and the Space DJ'z were born

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