Nathan Filer, a best-selling writer at Bath Spa University, set in motion a viral moment with a tweet about University Challenge. He had been watching the previous week’s show featuring Sheffield against Aberdeen. During a bonus round for Aberdeen, a question about jungle music arose. When Emily Osborne, Aberdeen’s captain, answered with “drum ‘n’ bass,” Amol Rajan, the show’s host, responded with “We need Jungle, I’m afraid.” Filer immediately tweeted asking for someone to sample Rajan’s response.
Over the following days, Rajan’s response went viral across multiple social media platforms and even acquired a cult following in the jungle scene. The response inspired top producers from around the world to remix it, resulting in invitations to play at nightclubs and festivals and gaining write-ups in the musical and national press. The moment reawakened Rajan’s younger, raving self and delivered genuinely surreal moments that continue.
Despite Rajan’s belief that University Challenge featured all the elements for going viral regularly, the moment showed that it is organic and cannot be planned. However, several key interventions aided in the moment’s viral success. Ros Atkins, a regular viral hit with BBC News explainers, reposted the moment, and the music press took it to another level. DJ and reggae godfather David Rodigan also helped when he tagged jungle pioneer and actor Goldie, who responded, saying he was going to sample it.
The moment reconnected Rajan with his younger self, where jungle music was his daily bread. Rajan was a student in Cambridge, and his favorite variety was ragga jungle, which has its roots in Jamaican culture. Rajan’s most played tunes on Spotify these days are from Frozen and Moana, and his life is more Jungle Book than jungle music
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