Ben Keen, aka BK, is a legendary figure in the world of dance music, known for his pioneering Hard House sound that has captivated audiences worldwide for the last 25 years. From his early days at London’s Carnaby Street Studios to his residency at the iconic Trade club, BK has continuously pushed the boundaries of electronic music. His career has been marked by numerous chart-topping hits and acclaimed releases, including standout tracks like ‘Music Is Moving’ and ‘Revolution’. With a knack for blending trance and Techno elements into his signature style, BK remains at the forefront of the scene, delivering a series of high-impact releases on labels such as DOOF, Armada, and Speedmaster. He’s also collaborated with industry heavyweights like Hannah Laing, Reinier Zonneveld, Ammara, Funktribu and Matty Ralph and his vast back catalogue continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. As one of the most iconic figures in the genre, BK is part of Trade: The Birthday on Saturday October 18th alongside Andy Farley, Fat Tony, Smokin Jo, Tedesco, Harry Gay, Daz Saund, The Sharp Boys and many more.
Hey Ben, lovely to be chatting to you as you’re one of the headliners at Trade’s Birthday on Saturday October 18th and what’s so unique and special about Trade and what are you most looking forward to?
Trade is the reason I make music. I used to go as a clubber every single week without fail. I met my best friends there and became part of the Trade family. I have played at hundreds of clubs but still nothing compares to the atmosphere of Trade at that time. It was the birth place of Hard House too. It always feels like coming home and I am really looking forward to seeing all my friends there again and playing at the Birthday. Trade has a unique sound and atmosphere… the people that go really know their music and really know how to party!!!
A Trade club regular I believe, how did you first find out about and go to Trade? Have there been any wonderful moments you can share with us?
I used to work at a recording studio in Carnaby Street in London and my boss, Toby, introduced me to clubs like Garage at Heaven on Friday night and of course, Trade. I remember walking down the stairs at Turnmills for the first time and I could literally hear the screams coming from the dance floor. There are so many fun memories of hanging out with Lee Lee, who used to do the door and just causing mayhem much of it I can’t say. 😉 The first time I saw my name on a Trade flyer as a Fierce Trade resident was a real moment we all celebrated.
Your early productions were first played out by the Trade DJs such as Tony De Vit, Steve Thomas and Ian M, and what were these first releases and how did the Trade DJs come to have them – any special stories or memories around them?
I used to have Dub plates made and leave them in the booth for Tony, Ian, Steve and Pete Wardman in the hope they would get played. To their credit they always gave me feedback and some didn’t get played, ha ha. I then started making music on a label called Friction Burns under the name Sister Suck & The Razor Babes. These were the tracks that used to get played regularly there.
After a while I would take dub plates in and they often got played on the same night. I remember being in the booth with Tony when he played ‘Come On Baby’ and it going off big time. At the time all I was trying to achieve was having my music played at Trade.
Alongside yourself and other key DJs, labels and events, Trade pioneered the hard house sound and can you talk about any key points on your experiences as this scene and sound evolved? Please include pivotal clubs, DJs andreleases/labels that broke this sound?
A bunch of fellow producers and friends would just make music to be played at Trade as this was our benchmark. Paul King, Knucklehedz, Od404, Baby Doc and many more all had their own sound and that was a big part part of Trade’s sound. All the new stuff would be road tested at Trade before being released. If it worked at Trade it was good enough to go out. Pete Wardman’s Kiss 100 FM show was a massive part of the sound going national too. He bought the sound to people who had never heard it. The clubs like Frantic and Sundissential started to play more and more harder music and that just exploded across the country and then the world.
You’ve had numerous chart-topping hits with standout releases ‘Music Is Moving’ and ‘Revolution’, and how important have these tracks been in your career? Can you recall your game changing moments with certain tracks that you’ve produced and do you also have a personal fave and what makes it so special?
Massively important and it’s great to see music from this era having a second wind and the kids of today raving to it. These tracks took me from doing UK parties to playing abroad at least half of the year. I think driving to the studio one day and hearing DJ Chris Moyles playing “Revolution” on the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show really made it hit home as to just how large it had become. I have been very lucky that tracks like that have allowed me to DJ still and make music full time all these years later.
Continually on the move musically, you’ve released tracks with labels such as Doof, Armada and Speedmaster and this year tracks such as ’Overload Overload’, ’Nasty’ and ‘Opus’ this year and which ones have had the biggest response?
I love moving forward with the sound but still keeping the vibe and essence of Trade. They all have their place but my favourites from that list are “Overload” and “Nasty” and I am looking forward to playing them on the 18th.
Also you’re working on collabs with industry heavyweights like Hannah Laing, Reinier Zonneveld, Ammara, Funktribu and Matty Ralph, which further underscores your versatility and enduring influence. What should we be looking out for what’s coming up for the rest of the year?
Working with a new generation of harder DJs is a real buzz. Currently working with Matty Ralph and David Rust. I have done a collaboration already with Reiner and have something on the backburner with Funk Tribue, who I recently played for in Berlin. I stayed to watch his set and really love what he plays. He has a real groove.
Hard house is still a really popular dance floor sound and I hear your daytime parties… have been sold out with their great line ups and atmosphere. Why do you think hard house has such a strong underground following and how do you see this evolving in the future?
It may have not always been in the press but has maintained a strong underground following that means the sound has never died. Hard house clubbers are the most friendly, inclusive and up-for-it crowd too which makes all the events so good. The new generation have taken the sound we created and made it their own by adapting it and bringing it up to date. Keeping it alive has made me also adapt with them which keeps things fresh and continually changing. All the snobbiness about harder music seems to have gone as well. At the end of the day people want to go out and dance and have fun and escape the world. This is the perfect music to do that with.
Continuously pushing the boundaries of electronic music, you’re also in demand on the current festival scene with headline slots at Boomtown, Creamfields, Lost Weekend & Forbidden Forest Festivals as well as playing Funk Tribu in Berlin and Tidy Ldn XXX – 30 Years of Tidy. What do you bring to the party with your musical mix and mastery that keeps you so current?
I kind of touched on this before but I like to use the past to look forward. I still go and watch other DJs play to get hyped and get inspiration. I hate the expression “ it was better in my day” . It wasn’t, it was just different. I try to find what’s good about the current moment and run with that.
Trade Classic 10 tracks
To many to mention I’m doing 11 lol!
Tony De Vit ‘Are You All Ready?’ (Jump Wax)
The ultimate Trade record. I lost my shit to him playing this too many times to mention and remember buying it on Jump Wax.
Quench ‘Dreams’ (Infectious)
I can still see the masters at Turnmills and the place going off when the riff drops.
F16 XTC “ Phase 1” (Flying Records)
Pete Wardman used this on my favourite DJ mix of all time ‘Trade Vol 4’ and still a banger.
Vincent Demoor “ Floatation” (Deal Records)
This would be dropped at Trade just at the right moment to bring an uplifting, happy moment to the madness.
Legend B‘Lost In Love’ Paul Janes Remix (Bulletproof)
Every time I dropped this at Turmills it would explode and is an evergreen classic.
The Sharp Boys “I Need” (Sharp Recordings)
I could include so many tracks by these guys but this is one of my fave Sharp Boys productions – funky and kicking.
The Experts ‘I’ll Take You There’(Tripoli Trax)
Steve Thomas and Triploi Trax had so many Trade anthems that again it was hard to pick just one but I love this.
99th Floor Elevators“Hooked” Pete Wardman Remix (Tidy Trax)
Two Trade legends combine on this master piece that’s still kicks.
All Nighters ‘Black Is Black’ Ian M Remix (Tidy Trax)
This conjures up Ian M for me at Trade. Relentless and minimal. A master at work.
Cortina ‘Music Is Moving’ (Nukluez)
Sorry to include one of mine but every time I play Trade I get asked to play this one over and over.
NRG ‘Never Lost His Hardcore’ – Baby Doc Remix (Banana Recordings)
Such a great remix and sounded amazing at Trade.
Trade: The Birthday features an incredible line up that includes DJs Anahita Shamsaei, Andy Farley, BK, Daz Saund, Fat Tony, Harry Gay, Kyle E, Nick Clev, Pagano, Smokin Jo, Tedesco, The Sharp Boys and Twinkulator on Saturday 18 October 2025 from 2pm onwards at Number 90, Main Yard, Wallis Road, Hackney Wick, E9 5LN.
With the Boat, hosted by the Transister collective featuring The Blonde Spirit, HALO-IS, Lynnette Devine, Nawty Nicky and hosted by Miranda Wheeler Druce.
Tickets: trade-club.co.uk
Socials: Instagram
