UKG Attitude: Killsam & Bee Marie Bring Garage to Life
Lot’s of styles of music need that edge… that emotion… that attitude. UK Garage is definitely one of them. Adding in vocals and certain progressions can make or break a song and Killsam and Bee Marie know exactly how to get it there with their new sample pack UKG Attitude out now on Black Octopus Sound.
Out Conversation w/ Killsam & Bee Marie
Splice: Tell us about yourself – what led you to work together and inspired you for this pack?
Bee Marie: I’m a singer and writer from the UK, and Killsam’s a producer from Italy. We met at a K-pop writing camp in Verona, one of those whirlwind creative environments where you really get to see who you vibe with musically. We had a session together that just flowed, and I’ve loved working with him ever since. He’s incredibly detailed, especially in post-production, and he’s always had such nice things to say about my toplines; even my British accent, which turned out to be a nice touch for a UK Garage pack!
Both of us have been working closely with publishers for a while, which means we’re constantly getting leads and staying ahead of trends. That kind of background definitely shaped how we approached the pack. We set out to blend the nostalgic energy of classic UKG with fresh, trend-aware melodic and vocal elements. The goal was to create a versatile toolkit that could slot into any producer’s workflow, whether they’re chasing that throwback vibe or putting a modern twist on it. It was exciting to craft something that feels personal to us, but also wide open for others to make their own.
Splice: What was it like working online to make this come together?
Killsam: Beth and I usually start planning our sample packs months in advance, always with a theme and genre that resonates with both of us. At the same time, we try to anticipate what styles might be relevant or in demand six to eight months down the line. We’re both quite versatile and open when it comes to genres, which makes our collaborations creatively rich.
Typically, I’ll take the lead on the initial production, getting the pack about 50 to 70% complete before passing it on to Beth so she can bring her songwriting into the mix. It’s a workflow that has developed naturally over time with songs as well, and really plays to both our strengths.
Splice: What do you think is most important about using samples in music? What makes it so special?
Killsam: Personally, I think it's about finding something unpredictable within the predictable. Inspiration comes and go for everyone of us, but when there's a busy agenda you really want to be fast as well as staying on top of the game quality wise, Splice Sounds allows that. I’ve also been using the Create feature for quite some time now, it's one of my go-to tools for sparking ideas. It makes it incredibly easy to get inspired and start building a track from a fresh, sometimes unexpected angle. It’s like having a creative partner that brings unexpected elements to the table, with one click.
Splice: How does the topline creation process for a sample pack differ from traditional songwriting?
Bee Marie: Compared to writing a full song, working on a sample pack actually gave me a surprising amount of creative freedom. Usually, when I’m writing for artists, I’m working to a specific brief with clear limitations, but with this, I had space to really explore the genre and experiment with different vocal styles, melodies, and concepts. Killsam always sends me the bulk of the pack before I start, so I already have a wide palette of sounds to play with. If one topline idea doesn’t quite click with a loop, I can easily try it with another, and sometimes that shift sparks an entirely new direction. It becomes a very fluid, inspiring process.
There’s also a mindset shift. Normally, I’m thinking, what would the artist want? But for a sample pack, I’m thinking, what would a producer find useful, adaptable, and creatively inspiring? It’s about crafting something that’s modular and mold-able, especially with things like phrases and one-shots, so producers can shape it to fit their own vision. That change in perspective was both refreshing and exciting.
Splice: What makes this style of music special to you? What inspired you to create sounds that revolve around it?
Bee Marie: Being from the UK, Garage has always been a core part of the musical landscape around me. I grew up with it, from my parents playing tracks like Crazy Love by MJ Cole and Sweet Like Chocolate by Shanks & Bigfoot, to hearing Flowers by Sweet Female Attitude or What’s It Gonna Be by H “Two” O at house parties. I’ve lived through many eras of UKG, watching it evolve while still holding onto those signature elements that make it instantly recognisable. It’s one of those genres that always brings people together; it’s nostalgic, infectious, and still such a crowd-pleaser.
Even though I don’t usually get the chance to write much UK Garage in my day-to-day work, creating toplines for this pack came naturally. Working with Killsam’s loops felt effortless, as if the melodies and vocal rhythms were already sitting inside me, just waiting to come out. This style is part of my musical DNA, so it was a great opportunity to finally immerse myself in UK Garage and create something authentic to the genre.
With UKG Attitude, Killsam and Bee Marie have bottled the raw emotion, swing, and unmistakable energy that makes UK Garage timeless. Whether you’re after punchy drums, infectious toplines, or the nostalgic sparkle of classic UKG with a modern edge, this pack delivers the tools to make it happen. Dive into the sound, spark your next idea, and give your tracks the attitude they deserve—download UKG Attitude on Splice today.