XL Recordings’ early rave history celebrated in new Sports Banger collection
The collections takes inspiration from landmark XL tracks including The Prodigy’s ‘Out of Space’ and Liquid’s ‘Sweet Harmony’
The early rave history of legendary British label XL Recordings is celebrated in a new clothing collection produced by Sports Banger.
Created by XL founder Richard Russell alongside Jonny Banger, the line draws inspiration from landmark releases, influential artists, and visual styles that defined the imprint’s formative years. Artist references include The Prodigy, SL2, Liquid and Jonny L, alongside influences from acid jungle, techno, hardcore and ’90s club culture.
The collection went on sale yesterday (Thursday 23 July), with a launch event set for Saturday 1st August at Sports Banger’s HQ in Tottenham, London, running from 3PM until late.
“I had a relationship with Sports Banger before I had one with Jonny,” Russell shared. “I had the book, I had the Thatcher Ralph Lauren t-shirt, I was a fan. Jonny and I share a lot of interests. We have the same obsession with sampling. I grew up in that culture, and what I do is referential by nature. Sports Banger takes that instinct into what they make. What Jonny does is unapologetic, and that's exactly what I’ve always loved about sampling."
Banger added: “This started because Richard Russell read our book and shortly after we were introduced. I’d already read Richard's book Liberation Through Hearing and it explained so much about my own musical journey through rap and rave, from Essex to London, bootlegging and beyond.”
“Since then we've become proper friends... Richard and I share an uncompromising belief in the power of independents. There's no other reason for this collab to happen other than to have some fun.... Sports Banger is rooted in rave, resistance and eccentric British iconography. We took that force and energy into the collaboration with photographer Roxy Lee capturing the collection.”
Alongside t-shirts, hoodies and a bomber jacket created in collaboration with Maharishi, the project also includes a limited-edition compilation vinyl. The release features landmark tracks including SL2’s ‘DJ’s Take Control’, Liquid’s ‘Sweet Harmony’, Jonny L’s ‘The Anasphone’, and The Prodigy’s ‘Out of Space’.
