Gemma Fox — The Bassline Queen
The Bassline Queen
UK R&B Pioneer. Chart Artist. Songwriter. The Voice of UK Bassline Since 2001.
The Story
Who is the Bassline Queen?
Gemma Fox is the Bassline Queen — a title earned through over two decades at the heart of UK R&B, UK Garage and Bassline music. She is one of the most decorated independent artists in the UK club music scene, holding BPI Gold and Silver plaques, Official UK Top 40 chart positions, and Music Week chart peaks that place her among the most successful UK Bassline artists of her generation.
Born and raised in Kentish Town, London, Gemma signed to Polydor/Universal Records (P Recordings) on a three-album deal in 2003. Her debut album Messy — produced with Grammy-winning producers Midi Mafia — was released in 2004 to critical acclaim, earning her a MOBO nomination for Best UK Newcomer, an Urban Music Award for Best R&B Act, and a place at No. 10 in the BBC Sound of 2004.
Two decades on, Gemma continues to chart. Her 2021 collaboration Awake with Rare Candy peaked at No. 2 on the Music Week Upfront Club Chart and No. 4 on the Commercial Pop Chart. Her 2024/2025 single Twisted with Tactics peaked at No. 3 on the Music Week Upfront Club Chart — confirming her status as the Bassline Queen is not a legacy title, but a living one.
BPI Certified
Gold & Silver Plaques
The Sound of Bassline Vol. 4
BPI Gold Certified
Pure Garage Platinum
BPI Gold Certified
The Very Best Of…
BPI Gold Certified
Kiss Jams
BPI Silver Certified
Pure Bassline
BPI Silver Certified
Chart History
On the Charts
| Single | Chart | Peak | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Girlfriend's Story ft MC Lyte | Official UK Singles Chart | No. 38 | 8 May 2004 |
| Awake (Rare Candy x Gemma Fox) | Music Week Upfront Club Chart | No. 2 | June 2021 |
| Awake (Rare Candy x Gemma Fox) | Music Week Commercial Pop Chart | No. 4 | June 2021 |
| Twisted (Tactics x Gemma Fox) | Music Week Upfront Club Chart | No. 3 | Week 11, 2025 |
| Twisted (Tactics x Gemma Fox) | Music Week Cool Cuts | No. 19 | Week 48, 2024 |
UK Songwriter
The Songwriter Behind the Queen
Gemma Fox is a professional topline songwriter with credits spanning UK R&B, UK Garage, Bassline and Pop across more than two decades. She has attended ATL writing camps in Atlanta, written for international artists including Grammy-nominated R&B singer Syleena Johnson, and is a member of both the Ivors Academy and the Recording Academy (GRAMMYs).
Her songwriting has been described as having 'an empathy and originality that shines through' — R&B Album of the Month, 2004. She writes from lived experience: growing up in Kentish Town, raising a daughter as a teenager, and navigating the UK music industry as an independent Black woman. That authenticity is what makes her songs last.
Most recently, Gemma wrote the topline for Take Care — a collaboration between The House & Garage Orchestra, Shy Cookie and Syleena Johnson, released 4 September 2026 on SINA MUSIC. She recruited Syleena Johnson personally, sending the track directly. Shy Cookie confirmed: 'Gemma Fox deserves the credit for making that connection happen.'
Industry Credentials
- Ivors Academy Member
- Recording Academy (GRAMMYs) Member
- PRS for Music
- MCPS
- PPL
- Music Managers Forum (MMF)
BBC History
BBC 1Xtra & Radio 2
Consulted on the launch of BBC 1Xtra. The first song ever played on the station was Beverley Knight & Roots Manuva.
Voicemail held MistaJam's BBC 1Xtra JAM HOT slot for six consecutive weeks in 2008.
Gone supported by Trevor Nelson on BBC Radio 2 for many weeks.
Pete Tong: Live from Ibiza.
BBC 1Xtra Maida Vale: live performance with full band, presented by Ras Kwame.
Recognition
Awards & Nominations
Urban Music Award
Best R&B Act — Winner
Urban Music Award
Best Newcomer — Nominee
MOBO Award
Best UK Newcomer — Nominee, 2004
BBC Sound of 2004
No. 10
Y2K Best Female Act
Winner, 2005
Work With Gemma Fox
For bookings, sync licensing, songwriting collaborations, A&R consultancy or press enquiries — get in touch.
Get in Touch