Roger McKenzie, better known as Wildchild, was a rising star in the UK house and electronic music scene before his untimely passing at just 24 years old. Born in Southampton in 1971, McKenzie made a name for himself as a DJ and producer, releasing tracks on respected labels like Hi Life Recordings, Ultra Records, and Polydor.
His breakout hit, “Renegade Master”, became an iconic anthem, sampling A.D.O.R.’s “One for the Trouble” and peaking at No. 11 on the UK Singles Chart in 1995. However, it was Fatboy Slim’s 1998 Old Skool Mix—“Renegade Master ’98”—that took the track to new heights, reaching No. 3 in the charts and solidifying its place in dance music history.
Tragically, McKenzie passed away in November 1995 due to an undiagnosed heart condition, just as he was launching his own label, Dark & Black. His legacy lives on through his music, his son Noir (born in 1996), and the Wildchild Music Foundation, created in his honour.
Wildchild – Renegade Master (1995 Original)
Wildchild – Renegade Master ’98
Samples
Eddy Castellanos Sr., better known as A.D.O.R., left an indelible mark on hip-hop culture. Born in New York City in 1969, he emerged in the early ‘90s with a raw, East Coast sound that resonated with hip-hop heads worldwide. His breakthrough track, Let It All Hang Out (1992), produced by Pete Rock, became an instant classic, showcasing his signature flow and lyrical prowess.
Two years later, One for the Trouble (1994), produced by K-Def, cemented his place in music history. The track’s legendary vocal hook—“One for the trouble, two for the bass…”—became a staple in hip-hop and dance music, sampled countless times but most famously in Renegade Master by Wildchild.
Following the success of Let It All Hang Out, A.D.O.R. capitalized on the momentum, touring with major acts and making television appearances. In 1994, he dropped One for the Trouble, produced by K-Def and the legendary Marley Marl. The track’s iconic line—“Back once again with the ill behaviour”—became a defining sample in dance music, famously used by Wildchild in Renegade Master and later immortalized in Fatboy Slim’s 1998 remix.
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