Dem 2

{{Short description|UK garage musician}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Dem 2

| image =

| caption =

| origin = Thurrock, Essex, England

| genre = UK garage

| years_active = 1994–present

| label = New York Soundclash Records, Locked On Records

| associated_acts =

| current_members = Dean Boylan

| past_members = Spencer Edwards

| website = {{URL|www.dem-2.co.uk}}

}}

Dem 2 is the name of UK garage musician Dean Boylan. They were originally a duo which consisted of Boylan and Spencer Edwards, who are from Thurrock in Essex.{{cite web|first1=Simon|last1=Reynolds|authorlink=Simon Reynolds|accessdate=2019-10-05|title=The Wire 300: Simon Reynolds on the Hardcore Continuum Series #6: Two-Step Garage (1999) - The Wire|url=https://www.thewire.co.uk/in-writing/essays/the-wire-300_simon-reynolds-on-the-hardcore-continuum-series_6_two-step-garage_1999_|website=The Wire Magazine - Adventures In Modern Music}} Since 2011, Boylan continued releasing material under the Dem 2 moniker as a solo artist.

The duo founded the record label New York Soundclash Records in 1994 and released the 12" vinyl "Reach". They are best known for the songs "Destiny",{{cite web|accessdate=2019-10-05|title=The Best Old-School Garage Anthems Of All Time|url=https://www.capitalxtra.com/features/lists/best-old-school-garage-songs/|website=Capital XTRA}} "Baby (You're So Sexy)" and Da Grunge Mix of "All I Know", released under the alias U.S. Alliance.

"Destiny" was a hit single in 1998, reaching No. 58 on the UK Singles Chart{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/4042/dem-2/|title=DEM 2 | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company|website=Official Charts }} and No. 1 on the UK Dance Singles Chart.{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/19981018/104/|title=Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40 (18 October 1998 - 24 October 1998) | Official Charts Company|website=Official Charts }} Alexis Petridis, writing for The Guardian in 2019, looking back at the genre after 20 years, listed "Destiny" at number 13 in his list of the 20 best UK garage tracks.{{cite news|first1=Alexis|last1=Petridis|accessdate=2019-10-05|title=The best UK garage tracks – ranked!|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2019/may/16/the-best-uk-garage-tracks-ranked|newspaper=The Guardian|date=16 May 2019|issn=0261-3077|via=www.theguardian.com}} Simon Reynolds, writing in The Wire, called "Destiny" "the UK blueprint for two-step."