Venbee: Rising from TikTok to Drum’n’Bass Mainstay

Early life, influences and breakout mindset

Venbee (real name Erin Vemby Anna Doyle) hails from Chatham, Kent. She navigated struggles with dyslexia and depression, using voice notes as a diary because text was challenging. Her musical upbringing included influences from singer-songwriters and classic pop, and she taught herself guitar and piano. Before her breakthrough, she worked in a pub, a call centre, and as a personal trainer, writing songs in her spare time.

The turning point came when she posted a snippet of an unfinished song “Low Down” (with producer Dan Fable) on TikTok in 2022. The snippet resonated; she rushed to finish the track, released it, and began to draw attention. That moment marked the shift from obscurity to a voice people wanted to hear.

Blowing up with *Messy in Heaven* and deeper explorations

Her follow-up release, *Messy in Heaven* (with Goddard), proved pivotal. Inspired by a dream of Jesus walking down her high street, it morphed into a metaphorical exploration of addiction, guilt and salvation. The track peaked at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart and dominated the UK dance charts for weeks, becoming a central song in the 2020s drum’n’bass revival.

She followed with emotionally raw singles like “Gutter” and “Die Young” (with Rudimental), demonstrating that she wasn’t just chasing club hits—but using her platform to address real feelings and vulnerabilities. In 2023 she released her debut mixtape *Zero Experience*, shaping a cohesive narrative that spans uncertainty, growth and ambition.

Why Venbee connects with the UK audience

The UK has long embraced artists who blend emotion, storytelling, and sonic identity-and Venbee fits that mold. Her lyrics are unguarded but grounded, and her vocal delivery feels lived-in rather than polished to perfection. She bridges club energy (through drum’n’bass) and singer-songwriter intimacy, giving her cross-appeal.

Her journey-outsider, underdog, DIY beginnings-resonates with younger UK listeners navigating uncertainty and mental health. Being part of the Loud LDN collective also gives her visibility and community among rising female/non-binary UK artists, reinforcing that she’s more than a moment, she’s part of a movement.

Recent milestones and current activity

In 2024, Venbee was nominated for Song of the Year at the BRIT Awards for *Messy in Heaven*, marking major recognition from the UK industry. She’s graced major UK festivals-Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds, The Great Escape, Radio 1’s Big Weekend-and spoken about how hearing tens of thousands sing her lyrics back to her at Reading brought her to tears.

During her 2024 festival and live season, she teased new collaborations and upcoming releases. In interviews at festivals like Beat Herder, she confirmed she has new music on the way and hinted at exciting features lining up. She also continues writing and recording in the studio with various producers, exploring new textures atop her drum’n’bass roots.

Her online presence remains strong: candid posts, unreleased snippets, and authentic interaction with fans keep her momentum high. She’s also embraced her role as a voice who speaks openly about mental health, creativity and growth in interviews.

Outlook and potential trajectory

Venbee is in the phase between breakout and establishment. The real test will be whether she can maintain artistic growth without losing what made her compelling: vulnerability, storytelling and sonic identity. As she experiments with production and collaborations, she may stretch beyond drum’n’bass into pop, alternative or hybrid territory.

If she sustains her authenticity, the UK audience will continue to reward her-not just as a dance-floor presence but as a songwriter whose voice carries weight in both emotion and the zeitgeist. Her path suggests she could become one of the defining voices of British electronic and soul-pop in the years to come.

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