Starting in 1993, the Radio 1 Essential Mix has been a constant on Saturday nights for music lovers across the globe, delivering genre-spanning dance of the highest standard to its listeners every week. Since its inception, Pete Tong has presented the show, offering an insight into the artist who has delivered their two-hour mix that week. With a broadcast that spans almost three decades, it is one of the longest running shows on BBC Radio 1, with a rich history of championing the finest dance talent, from rising stars to household names.

With many of our core artists having delivered Essential Mixes in their time, and the Defected staff a community of music obsessives, we wanted to share our favourite Essential Mixes from the 25+ years of the show being on the air…

The Essential Mix will form part of the new BBC Radio 1 Dance Stream launching next month, find out more info HERE.

Tom Coxhead, Head of Digital Marketing 

“It’s near impossible to pick ONE favourite Essential Mix, especially having listened to pretty much every single one. Daft Punk is the obvious choice, but there have been so many exceptional mixes over the years... Derrick Carter in the 90’s, Four Tet x Jamie xx, Caribou, DJ EZ, Jon Hopkins, DJ Shadow, Maya Jane Coles, Midland, Sasha, Gilles Peterson... the list goes on.

My favourite though, Nicolas Jaar. More than a mix, it felt like a film score and was a deserving EMOTY winner. If you haven’t heard it, you need to check it out.”

Adrienne Bookbinder, A&R Manager 

“It’s not so straightforward to summarise a set from Mr. Garnier and that’s why I just love this essential mix.”

Joe Bennett, Head of Product & Curation

“I used to tape the Essential Mixes onto cassette as a kid and this was THE mix that truly got me into House Music. A blistering selection of raw Chicago House and French Touch.”

Cat Cook, Product Manager

“SBTRKT from 2011 for me. Reminds me of trips to London from my peaceful town in the midlands and having the realisation I had to live in the big smoke. Joy O & Boddika into Disclosure is killer!” 

James Kirkham, CBO

"When I first heard this, it felt so different. A brooding atmospheric opening not always synonymous with dance music, different sounding beats, unique vocals. This mix sound tracked many a long night back at villa in Ibiza"

Lucy St John, PR & Promotions Assistant

“I will unashamedly fan-girl over Apollonia, every time I've seen them play it has been an unforgettable party, this Essential Mix flawlessly captures the vibe of their summertime DC10 terrace sets. They recorded it on the last week of the 2014 season and you can feel it brimming with Ibiza feels. Also have to give an honourable mention to the masterpiece that is Ricardo Villalobos 2018 Essential Mix.”

Amanda Hamilton, Events Product Manager/Digital Marketing + Customer Relations

“I love everything that Solomun was doing around this time and I think that this Essential Mix captures that vibe perfectly.”

Katie Goodman, Digital Marketing

"Simon’s Essential Mix took me to school! It introduced me to what’s become some of my favourite records, including Thelma Houston’s ‘Saturday Night, Sunday Morning’ and Coke Escovedo’s ‘I Wouldn’t Change A Thing’. The first majority of the mix was unapologetically old school; A showcase of some of disco’s history, taking us on a journey; with each record allowed to breathe, giving you time to fall in love with them. This made it a stand out Essential Mix for me."

Seamus Haji, A&R

Dave Lee 1996: "I really connected with this mix as he played what I was playing in the mid 90’s which was vocal led US Garage and house but he also mixed in 80’s boogie and 70’s disco and dropped some deeper house cuts too..a musical journey. He also has excellent taste in music" 

Masters At Work 1997: "My favourite DJs & producers at the time who were always innovating and inspiring me. It was refreshing to hear the music they played on Radio 1 as most shows weren’t playing this kind US garage and house. They dropped a lot of their productions and remixes which were super hot at the time."

Conor O'Brien, Digital Marketing 

"Skrillex’s Essential Mix perfectly encapsulates the house and bass music influences I used to listen to at the time."

Some more staff favourites we could not leave out...

Sam Divine, 2019

Low Steppa, 2020

Seamus Haji, 2007

Luke Solomon, 2015

DJ EZ, 2015

Midland, 2016

Caribou, 2020

DJ Shadow, 2016

Jon Hopkins, 2014