Silva Bumpa is the stage name of Joshua Silva, a Sheffield-born DJ, songwriter, and electronic music producer renowned for his high-energy contributions to the UK garage, bassline, and speed garage scenes. At just 22 years old as of 2024, Silva Bumpa has emerged as a trailblazing figure in the underground electronic music world, blending the gritty basslines of Northern UK nightlife with the infectious, singalong bounce of mid-noughties club classics. His sound captures the effervescent spirit of Sheffield's legendary Niche nightclub, fusing modern production techniques with nostalgic elements from the '90s and early 2000s, including influences from artists like MJ Cole, Artful Dodger, and Big Ang, as well as R&B icons such as Janet Jackson, Amerie, and Ne-Yo.

Silva Bumpa's journey into music began at the age of 15 when he downloaded Ableton Live and started experimenting with production. Growing up in Sheffield, he immersed himself in the local bassline culture, scouring old websites and MySpace forums to build his knowledge of the genre that thrived at Niche. He adopted the moniker "Silva Bumpa" as a tribute to his musical inspiration Lil Silva and the "bumpy" DJ mixes he was listening to at the time. Initially self-releasing dubs and edits, he quickly gained traction in the underground scene, releasing tracks on influential labels like ec2a, ATW Records, and Hardline. His alias also includes projects under names like Badstar, Spirit Of Da Underground, and Illustrious Badboys, reflecting his playful and multifaceted approach to music.
A pivotal moment in his career came in 2023 with the release of his debut single "What About The DJ?" on the iconic Locked On Records, which teased a forthcoming five-track EP of the same name. The full EP, released in 2024, marked his most ambitious body of work to date, showcasing warped grooves, 2010s deep house influences, and golden-era garage-pop. Tracks like "Passion," "Songs of Praise" (featuring grime MC Capo Lee), "Without U" (with vocalist Megan Wroe), "Rock 2 Da Beat," and the title track highlight his innovative style, combining wobbling basslines, hearty kick drums, distorted vocals, and house-infused grooves. The EP received widespread support from peers including Interplanetary Criminal, Main Phase, Soul Mass Transit System, and bassline veterans like Tom Shorterz and Joe Hunt. Other notable releases include "Migraine Skank," "Uh Uh Dub," "Hey Mr DJ," and contributions to compilations like HARD13 and Silva Dubz Vol 3.
In addition to his production prowess, Silva Bumpa has established himself as a dynamic DJ, known for rowdy mixes that span bassline, breaks, house, and garage. He recorded a standout Fresh Kicks mix for DJ Mag in 2024, featuring recent discoveries from producers like Bushbaby and Main Phase alongside rare white labels from Sheffield record shops. His performances honor his hometown's dance music legacy while pushing boundaries, with sets that emphasize solid sub bass, swung drum grooves, and textured layers for maximum dancefloor impact. He launched the "Silva Bumpa Presents" residency at Sheffield's Hope Works in November 2023, further cementing his role in the local scene.
Silva Bumpa's rise has been meteoric, with a jam-packed schedule of international tours and festival appearances. In 2024, he made his Boiler Room debut in Liverpool alongside Skream and Benga, embarked on his first headline tour of Australia and New Zealand, and performed at events like Mint Festival in Leeds, 23 Degrees x Locked On in London, Hope Works in Sheffield, Manchester clubs, and Croatia's Outlook Festival main stage. By 2025, he continued his momentum with shows across Europe and North America, including CYNT in Copenhagen, all-night sets in Birmingham, collaborations in Miami and Los Angeles, and appearances in Vancouver. His biggest tour to date spans multiple countries, solidifying his status as a key force in the resurgence of UKG and bassline music.
Beyond music, Silva Bumpa runs his own label, Sterling Records (STERLING), which has released vinyl edits of classics and features from his aliases. As of September 2025, at age 23, he remains one of the fastest-rising names in UK dance music, with plans to take over iconic venues like London's fabric and Barcelona's Razzmatazz. His cheeky, light-hearted sound—described as capturing "the cheeky and light-hearted sounds of speed garage and house" with '90s energy—continues to make waves, proving that garage has never been as vibrant as it is now. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.