Amol Rajan ‘humbled’ as DJs sample University Challenge ‘we need jungle, I’m afraid’ remark
Fans made their own jungle remixes of Rajan’s question about dance music from recent episode
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Amol Rajan has said that he has been “humbled” by talented University Challenge fans sampling a question about dance music in their own jungle remixes.
A clip of the presenter – who took over as the long-running BBC quiz show’s host from Jeremy Paxman last year – correcting a question about dance music went viral earlier this week thanks to his correction: “Can’t accept drum and bass. We need jungle I’m afraid.”
When Twitter/X user Nathan Filer encouraged fans to sample Rajan’s words in their own tracks, the internet obliged.
The replies to his tweet were flooded with original jungle and drum and bass remixes of the audio from the episode, with Rajan resharing his favourites to his social media page.
On Wednesday (10 January), Rajan reshared the original tweet and praised the “creative brilliance” of the budding DJs’ replies.
“This post has given rise to three days of creative brilliance across social media, which is so humbling,” the Today programme host tweeted. “It gives me particular joy because jungle and raving was a big part of my life for years. Thanks to all who have mixed the sample.”
He added: “PS: if you’re keen to find future sample material, or watch a superb quiz that’s been running for 60 years and features many of the most charming, clever, inspirational young people in Britain, please give #UniversityChallenge a try on @BBCiPlayer. Or Mondays 20.30 @BBCTwo.”
Over on Instagram, Rajan also shared his excitement after hearing that Goldie, the legendary DJ mentioned in the original University Challenge question, planned to produce his own version sampling the audio.
“OK it’s now going viral here on Insta and even the legendary @mrgoldie has said he’s going to sample it,” he wrote. “I was a jungle head before I was a quizmaster. My work here on Earth is done.”
The original clip was taken from the episode from 1 January, during which the University of Sheffield took on the University of Aberdeen.
During a bonus round, the Aberdeen team were asked by Rajan: “What name is given to the genre of dance music that developed in the UK in the early 1990s out of the rave scene and reggae sound system culture associated with acts such as A Guy Called Gerald and Goldie?”
While the team answered with drum and bass, Rajan responded: “Can’t accept drum and bass. We need jungle, I’m afraid.”
University Challenge airs Mondays at 8.30pm on BBC Two.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments