Darren Styles

Darren Styles, born Darren James Mew, is a British DJ and producer born in 1975 in Colchester, Essex.

He began his DJ career in the underground hardcore scene at the age of sixteen, fostered by an early passion for music encouraged by his father.

His production career took off in 1993 when he started writing tracks in collaboration with Paul Force, forming the duo Force & Styles.

Together, they became major figures in an emerging new scene and produced a series of hardcore classics.

Their notoriety was such that they were the first hardcore DJs to perform a mix for Pete Tong’s *Essential Mix* on Radio One.

Over the years, Darren Styles and Force & Styles won numerous awards at the Hardcore Awards, whether as best producers, best DJs, or for their tracks.

Among his notable solo productions are tracks like Back to the old school and Feeling Me, which helped solidify his reputation.

He also developed his work under several pseudonyms, including Unique, Slipstreem (2), and Darren Mew.

His work extended to other influential collaborations, notably within the projects Styles & Breeze (with Mark Breeze), Futureworld, and United In Dance.

His style later evolved towards a more energetic hard trance, exemplified by the single Black Magic.

Darren Styles is also known for his remixes, such as his work on the track Silence, praised by figures like Paul Van Dyk, and for labels like Honey Pot and Nukleuz Records.

His influence extends far beyond the hardcore scene, also touching the rave and Clubland scene of northern England.