House, Tech House, Funky & Jackin House, Techno, DnB, Jungle, Hardcore, RnB & Hip-Hop
What’s your musical origin story?
Well it started like so many with the Recorder, Ukulele, Bongoās & Triangle in primary school. I loved music from an early age and wanted to learn the Saxophone, as I love the sound it makes. But I couldnāt get my mouth into the right position for a reeded instrument, so I was moved to the brass section started learning the French Horn & Baritone Horn. Well that didnāt last long as I wasnāt interested in those instruments. Skip from the age of 8 to 12 and I discovered pirate radios stations playing around London (one of the best things about London back then) playing Happy-Hardcore & Jungle. My sisters would bring back mix-tapes from holidays to the Canary Islands which introduced me to house which made me a vinyl collector & DJ in training from day one.
Uni turned me into a full-blown clubbing enthusiast with weekends at Cream, Gatecrasher & God Kitchen, seeing Paul Oakenfold, Seb Fontaine & Yousef week-in week-out for three years. It was like 10 hours of aerobatics each Saturday night. There was a host of special guest DJs too which included Deep Dish, John Carter, Timo Mass, Fat Boy Slim, Laurent Garnier and many many more! It was truly a special period in life!
Back home in London ā03, you can find me raving at Turnmills, The End & Fabric weekly and I loved every minute of it!. So, from 2006 to 2012, Myself & DJ Jasper started a playing out under the banner of Deep Darkān Funky. We played a host of bar & clubs which included Shoreditch, The O2, Londonās West End & Brixton. But in 2012, we both hang up the headphones.
So during lock-down I dusted down the 1210ās & CDJs and started spinning again & havenāt stopped since!
What’s your favorite thing about being a DJ?
It allows me to truly express myself through music. There’s something magical about sharing my love of music with others, seeing how it uplifts them and brings joy to their faces. One of the most fulfilling parts is witnessing the reactions of the crowd as they dance and connect with the beats. It’s an incredibly rewarding feeling to create a positive and energetic atmosphere through music, and I feel grateful every time I get to do it.
What’s your go-to track to get the party started?
It all depends on the environment, setting, and mood Iām in. If it’s a laid-back backyard barbecue, I might kick things off with some feel-good soulful tunes to set a relaxed vibe & build it through the night. On the other hand, if we’re at a high-energy party, a catchy melody, build-ups followed by a massive drop to a thumbing baseline does the trick. Overall, the key is to stay tuned to the atmosphere and choose a track that matches the energy and gets everyone in the right spirit!
Share a memorable DJing moment or gig experience!
First gig and the nerves is always memorable but gig experience is meeting Seb Fontaine after a night at Neighbourhood, had a quick chat and I told him I use to see him week in week out at Cream his response āYou must be oldā we both laughed
What’s your favorite genre to spin, and why?
I love all sorts of music (Iām a DJ after all) and my influences are vast from classical, Motown, Disco, Rock & Pop, Hip-Hop, UK Garage & DānāB. But, when it comes to my favourite genre, house music (Soulful, Tech, Big-Room, Funky) definitely takes the top spot – there’s just something special about its irresistible vibe that keeps me coming back for more! Itās the groovy beats, funky rhythms, and nostalgic memories. The energy and positivity that radiate from the classic tracks are infectious, creating an electric vibe. There’s always a track that suits the mood perfectly. It’s like a constant journey of discovery, finding new tunes that make you want to dance and share the joy with others. Plus music is written in 4/4 it works with everything
If you could collaborate with any artist (living or dead), who would it be?
For vocals is artist like Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, Mary Wells, Smokey Robinson, Michelle Weeks, Barbara Tucker, Jocelyn Brown, Freddie Mercury, Prince, Micheal Jackson (from late 70ās End of the Jackson 5 & Off the Wall era), Whitney Houston (she had such a beautiful voice)
For producers Dennis Ferrer, Frankie Knuckles, Todd Terry, Roger Sanchez, Marshall Jefferson, Sasha & Digweed, Liam Howlett, Darren Emerson & many moreā¦ I could go on all night
What’s your secret weapon track that always gets a great response?
All depends on the environment & setting. A beautiful vocal can have the same response as a heavy bassline drop
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring DJs?
If there’s one piece of advice it’s this: remember that spinning tracks isn’t just about playing songs but rather sharing a piece of your heart through music. Ask yourself, Why Iām I doing this? If itās to ālook coolā itās the wrong mindset. DJāing is a calling that comes from the love of music. Keep that passion burning bright within you, and let it guide you as you mix beats and create unforgettable experiences for people. Just stay true to your love for music, and everything else will fall into place.
THE GENERAL š«”
GROOVE to the RHYTHM of LIFE