Konflict

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Konflict, also known as Kemal and Rob Data, was a Glasgow-based drum and bass duo formed by Kemal Okan and Robert Rodgers. They were active from 1998 to 2000 as Konflict and from 2000 to 2002 as Kemal and Rob Data. Their sound mixed techno influences with drum and bass and helped shape the neurofunk style.

They released their first track in 1998 under the Konflict name—a remix of Share of Bitterness by Paragliders on WAQT Recordings. Their breakthrough came after signing to Renegade Hardware in 1999, with notable releases including Roadblock, The Beckoning, the Maelstrom EP, and the track Messiah, which Knowledge Magazine later named one of the decade’s top essential DnB tracks.

In 2000 they left Renegade Hardware because the Konflict name was owned by the label, and they continued making music as Kemal and Rob Data while starting their own label, Negative Recordings. Rob Data left in 2002 to return to his studies, though rumors about a family tragedy circulated. Kemal kept releasing music and launched Cryptic Audio, which issued material until 2004. On its first release, Kemal used the alias Paranoid User, the only time he released under a different name.

Their music appeared on many labels beyond Renegade Hardware, including Outbreak, Moving Shadow, Underfire, Audio Blueprint, Timeless, DSCI4, Cyanide, and Industry. Kemal produced solo work as well as collaborations with Rob Data and other artists such as Dom & Roland, Technical Itch, Paul Reset, Black Sun Empire, Sinthetix, Rob F, Impulse, and Dresden Codex. Rob Data did not release solo material.

In 2004 Kemal left the drum and bass scene to focus on studies. He later joined Nomad’iqa, a world music project, and produced for Velahavle, a Bosnian trip-hop/electronica group released in 2005. Rob Data later played old-school rave sets at small venues.

Konflict and Kemal are cited as major influences on the development of neurofunk. Phace and Pendulum have both spoken about their impact on later artists. A notable anecdote involves the track Bios-Fear, named after a BIOS crash experienced during a studio session with Stakka & Skynet.

Kemal’s later releases included remixes such as The Anthem (Kemal Remix) in 2006 and Tamghra Nouchen (Kemal & Dresden Codex Remix) in 2011, both composed years earlier but released later due to label issues.