2015 was the year of grime, the year of the emcee, and while its focal point will always be a man and his mic, it's high time a light was shone on other members of the fold; namely DJs, because a grime scene without them would be null-and-void.
Slimzee, Sir Spyro and Spooky are some of the greatest to touch down on those decks, but there's now a new school of skilled spinners in the wings waiting for their time to show and prove. These newbies are pushing out some of the tightest mixes on road right now, along with a passion that will soon see them on line-ups next to grime's greats. And what's more is that there's a variety of styles to choose from: some prefer vocal led, some icy instrumentals, while others opt for newer gems instead of golden classics.
Meet the new kids in session below.
Grandmixxer
Twitter: @GRANDMIXXER
Age: 28
Location: Lambeth, South London
Stations: Rinse FM / NTS Radio / Flex FM
How did you get into DJing?
I fell in love with turntables in my early teens, and that was after my best friend bought a pair of belt drives. I begged my mum for ages to get my own—I was already buying records and spinning them on my friend's decks. My love just grew into an obsession and I started spending all my dinner money on records, hitting up RAZOR Records on Woolworth Road every week, and I built up a reputation around the estates and crews in my area until I finally made it on to pirate radio. Big up OnTop FM!
Who are your mixing heroes, and why?
My mixing heroes are Grandmixer DXT and Mak 10. DXT was one of the first guys to ever use a turntable as an instrument, scratching and playing with the pitch at a time when people where using turntables to just play music. Mak 10, for me, is the most important of the early grime DJs. Me and my friends would lock in and listen in amazement at the instrumentals and mixes he would come up with. He was a top tastemaker very early on, and a lot of what he was playing during the early 2000s is still not around today.
Of all the club music genres to choose from, why grime?
My local record shop only sold grime and had a little garage and, at the time, grime was the sound of my estate. The olders in my ends were forming crews; we had grime tunes as ringtones on our phones and it was just around and very natural at that stage. I never used to listen to garage or jungle or anything else as a youth, so when I decided to mix, it was either gonna be grime or American rap.
Favourite track to throw down when the crowd's looking a little tired?
"Pengers" by Dullah Beatz.
#DJGoals for 2016?
To be the most creative with the sound.
Jack Dat
Twitter: @JackDatLDN
Age: 24
Location: Camden Town
Station: Radar Radio
How did you get into DJing?
To be honest, I got into DJing just by watching other people do it. I was amazed at how two tracks could mix together and sound like a completely new song. I remember seeing the first pair of CDJs and thinking, "What the hell are these?"—as well as the set at the party being horrendous [laughs]. After that, I just got the bug and kept learning and learning; I then sent a demo into Radar Radio, and the rest is history as they say.
Who are your mixing heroes, and why?
For me, it has to be Youngsta, Spooky and Slimzee. I was massively into the dark dubstep stuff that Youngsta would play, and the way he mixes is so smooth that you can't help but notice. Spooky, he's just a machine—he has the samurai chopping down to a tee, and his mixes are tighter than you could ever imagine—and Slimzee, well, because he's just the don. How can you not appreciate what that man has done for the scene?
Of all the club music genres to choose from, why grime?
I honestly just love the energy and how fast-paced everything is. For me, it's the genre of music that portrays London the best.
Favourite track to throw down when the crowd's looking a little tired?
It's gotta be this cheeky refix of Michael Jackson's "Rock With You" that I have; seriously, the amount of times I get asked who made it is astonishing [laughs]. I can't let the cat out of the bag, just yet.
#DJGoals for 2016?
Just to put out better mixes, really. I'd also love to play abroad some more and work with the new and old MCs in the scene. I actually can't wait to get 2016 going!
A.G
Name: @Ayy_G
Age: 23
Location: Hackney, East London
Station: Mode FM
How did you get into DJing?
Around the end of 2008, I started blogging and interviewing a lot of the up-and-coming grime acts I listened to, and had prior involvement with through being an MC. I'd post about releases, and just share my views on the scene in general. After about a year, I wanted to do that in a talk show format, so I posted about wanting to be involved with radio on my Twitter. Later that day, a producer called Optic—I used to blog a lot of his stuff—he sent me a number and said he had sorted me out with a demo show on pirate radio station Urban FM. I went down there the week after with a bunch of grime CDs, and had plans to play tracks and just talk about grime news. But instead, I was put in front of some decks and was put on camera for everyone to see [laughs].
Thanks to Grimeforum's Hij and Lemon, and the whole younger gen grime scene I was part of, I had a lot people listening, and they were all in the radio chat room asking, "Where's the mixing at?" So I tried mixing that day and I was rubbish, but I really enjoyed it. Surprisingly, I got good feedback, so I was there hosting my show every week for a time. I then switched stations, saved up some money and bought my own set-up at 19, and played my first ever rave in 2012.
Who are your mixing heroes, and why?
I look up to a lot of DJs: Grandmixxer, Logan Sama, EZ, Sir Spyro, and the list goes on. But someone I consider to be a mixing hero would have to be Spooky. From being on two radio stations with him, I've seen him in action. The guy can mix like a champion for a whole day, with the same energy on 100 from start to finish! Also, I like his style of mixing; the way he teases songs in really sets a vibe.
Of all the club music genres to choose from, why grime?
To be fair, I play a bit of garage, trap and Jersey club in my grime mixes, but I'll always have grime as my bread and butter because it's my favourite genre and has been since I was 8 years of age. When I mix grime, it's for my own enjoyment as well as the listener, and I've yet to find something I enjoy as much.
Favourite track to throw down when the crowd's looking a little tired?
One of my favourite tracks to run for a reaction is "Forward Riddim 2". Flirta D's verse gets them every time! That, or Esco's "96 Bars Of Revenge", and I'd wheel it about three times [laughs]. It all depends on the crowd, though.
#DJGoals for 2016?
I think my goals for this year would be, first and foremost, to carry on improving and working on being the sickest version of myself that I can be. I've played in a couple places around London and the UK, but I'd like to play out of the UK and spin some grime whilst getting a tan or something. That'd be nice.
Trends
Twitter: @TrendsDJ_
Age: 34
Location: Oxford, England
Station: Radar Radio
How did you get into DJing?
Growing up, I listened to a lot of early rave music and reggae, before really getting into jungle. When I was 14, a friend from school got a set of decks and asked me to come round to have a mix; I discovered a passion for it and found myself wanting to pursue it further. The following year, I got my own decks and drove my mum crazy mixing non-stop [laughs]. She would get so frustrated with me, that she'd cut the plugs off the decks and mixer and only put them back on when she was ready! My first set was at a house party when I was 15. I snuck out and, when I got home, I found my mum waiting on the doorstep for me so I got grounded. You have to sacrifice for the music sometimes [laughs].
Who are your mixing heroes, and why?
Mampi Swift; his double drops and energy is enough to send anyone insane in a rave. Even if you don't like the tune, he makes it sound so good you can't help but go crazy. DJ EZ... What can I say, man, it's DJ EZ! I've listened to him from the beginning on Freek FM and made sure to catch him live whenever he comes to Oxford. Legend. Slimzee too, and I'm not saying this because he's my mate, or because of the support he shows me, but he's called the godfather for a reason. He was one of the major pulls for me towards the grime scene.
Of all the club music genres to choose from, why grime?
I actually started out in D&B and jungle, but had followed the development of grime and found myself preferring to listen to grime at home and experimenting with making it. I just like the energy of it—it's refreshing, and different. There's no other sound like it! The culture surrounding it is fascinating, from the MCs to the producers and the recognition it's now getting worldwide, and I'm super-proud that it originates from the UK.
Favourite track to throw down when the crowd's looking a little lukewarm?
You make it sound like this is a cup of tea! This is a hard one, but it's gotta be Spooky's "Faithless". There's just something about this tune that draws attention and brings life back into a crowd.
#DJGoals for 2016?
To keep on doing what I'm doing, making tunes and getting them heard on as many platforms as possible. I'd love to get on some big festival line-ups, a Fabric line-up, a Red Bull line-up... Another trip abroad wouldn't go amiss either! The list goes on.
Dullah Beatz
Twitter: @DullahBeatz
Age: 30
Location: South London
Resident: Big Narstie's tour DJ
How did you get into DJing?
I've always been into music and mixing, from as far as I can remember. When I was young boy, I used to sneak my mum's records out of her room and play them by mixing the vinyl into a tape player. Even in school, most of my lessons were turned into music classes through me banging some sort of instrumental on the table while me and my friends dropped some bars over it [laughs]. I used to go to my local youth club or radio station, where they had decks, so that we could do some sets and record them. Everyone wanted to either have a quick mix or drop some bars, so this just became a normal thing for me. When I finished school, I started doing a music apprenticeship at a studio not that far from my house, where I was able meet people and use the studio to start creating my own music and mix it.
Fast forward a few years and I'm part of grime crew, N Double A. During those days, I'd MC, produce and mix, but my DJing career didn't kick off until I was asked to play at a Boxed club night two years ago. That really excited me; I could play all my own tracks as loud as possible and see what the crowd thought of them first-hand. And since then, I've done loads of club nights and festivals around the UK, and abroad, alongside Big Narstie. It's been a long road, and it's not easy, but if you keep at it and work hard I honestly believe anyone can do it.
Who are your mixing heroes, and why?
Man like DJ EZ and Fonti from Heartless Crew—without a doubt. Most DJs can mix, but there are levels, and there are LEVELS! Large-up Grandmixxer as well though; he's the best new school DJ by far.
Of all the club music genres to choose from, why grime?
I've been a part of grime since the start, playing and making it even when nobody cared, so for me to spin it was just a no-brainer. I make lots of grime and my friends do, too.
Favourite track to throw down when the crowd's looking a little tired?
It would have to be "Kill Confirmed", which was produced by myself. It's full of raw energy, and it always gets a good reaction from the crowd.
#DJGoals for 2016?
Just to keep on pushing out good music. That's definitely the focus for me this year. I played nearly all the festivals last year, alongside my best friends, so my main goal is just to keep on going.
DJ Argue
Twitter: @DJ_Argue
Age: 26
Location: Croydon
Station: Radar Radio
How did you get into DJing?
When I was about 8 or 9, I had a childminder who had a son who was quite a bit older than me. He had a set of Technic 1210s, and I remember him mixing mad jungle tunes like "Circles" by Adam F and me begging him to let me have a go [laughs]. But he never did. I used to ask my parents to buy me a pair of decks but they wasn't having any of it. Not long before I got into high school, I started clocking on to the UKG sound and then, slowly after that, pirate radio. As time went on, I started high school and my mate, Viler, had a set of decks. I got a bit of information from him about mixing, started buying records from my local record shop, and eventually got my first pair of Numark belt drives for Christmas. When I finally kinda learnt how to mix, I started DJing at bedroom sets with a few mates who where MCs. So it all pretty much started from there.
Who are your mixing heroes, and why?
Well, Slimzee is definitely one of them. I used to listen to him a lot on Rinse FM, and most of the Sidewinder tape-packs I bought had him on there. I remember hearing him drop tunes like "Nissi" and his "All In 1" mash-up, thinking: "What the hell is this?" I liked the way he would bring in tunes and keep in the mix for ages. The dubplates he was playing at the time where new and exclusive—no grime DJ had tunes like that at the time. Fonti from Heartless Crew is another one. His style was always unpredictable. One minute he'd play garage, then, out of nowhere, he'd drop something mad like a Missy Elliot tune. I found his mixing exciting—he was a proper entertainer on the decks.
Of all the club music genres to choose from, why grime?
In my eyes, there isn't a much more exciting genre than grime. I was listening to it before it even had a name! I had such a passion for it from listening to various pirate radio stations and tape-packs, and eventually, I wanted to be a part of it. I also used to spend a lot of time in my local record shops, Big Apple and Swag Records. They had a BIG part to play, because, when I started mixing, at the time, a lot of grime instrumentals were floating about in the shops and that's all I was really being exposed to.
Favourite track to throw down when the crowd's looking a little tired?
Probably "Kill Confirmed" by Dullah Beatz, because it's always guaranteed to cause some sort of madness in a dance. It's definitely one of the tunes I'd draw for when the crowd needs a little lift.
#DJGoals for 2016?
2015 was a good year for me. I done everything that I set out to achieve. But in 2016, I want to up the levels and do more bookings, more radio shows, and just keep flying the flag for grime.
Oblig
Twitter: @DJOblig
Age: 25
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Station: RWD FM
How did you get into DJing?
When I was around 20/21, I did an internship for a company called Pack London back in England, where I'm originally from. We threw bass music events all over the city, so I was in and around the scene for a while without the attention ever really being on me. A few years went by, and two friends of mine—who were doing bits for Rinse FM at the time—said they'd teach me to DJ if I wanted to learn and, since agreeing, I have not looked back. Once I moved out to New York, I decided I'd dedicate my time here to helping raise awareness for grime and help it on its way to global recognition. So I started my own event, Low Life NYC, which, with the help of my partner, we throw once a month in Manhattan and I'm also a resident DJ for.
Who are your mixing heroes, and why?
In my eyes, DJ EZ is the greatest to ever do it. Being from London, I was blessed enough to be able to see him on multiple occasions and his sets always blew me away. Then there's Logan Sama, a real legend in the scene—someone I've watched and listened to for what seems like my whole life. Logan's flew the flag for grime when not many other people were, so he deserves all the praise that he's currently getting. Plus, I always respected how far he got in the game without producing his own music. Sir Spyro is another one. He really filled the void when Logan went off-air, and he's also one of my favorite producers of all time. New hero, Spooky—the work-rate of this man is incredible! I don't see anybody who puts in the hours like he does. From being on radio to doing shows, he's played a big part in the rise to greatness of the new wave of MCs and he's also one of the most humble guys you will ever meet.
Of all the club music genres to choose from, why grime?
Everything about it was so London: the beats, the MCs, the clothes, the energy, the culture. There was nothing like it anywhere else in the world and I lived where it originated, so, naturally, I felt like it was a part of me. I love how there's no real concept of fame in grime. I'm not sure if that's the fans being respectful or the artists being humble, but there seems to be a very strong mutual respect on both sides. I love how the MCs, producers and DJs share the plaudits almost equally; one is never as good without the other. More than anything, I just love the energy. There's nothing quite like being at a grime rave, and that is something I really hope to bring to New York. To this day, I've never seen a crowd react the way people used to when Lethal B's "Pow" came out. That song really sums-up the scene for me.
Favorite track to throw down when the crowd's looking a little tired?
Skepta's "I Spy". It's a timeless classic that I don't think I'll ever stop playing. For a more recent banger, maybe P Money's "10/10". Great production on that one from Spyro, and the vocals are a madness! AJ Tracey's "Naila" goes down well too; AJ's doing crazy stuff right now—he's probably my favourite MC right now.
#DJGoals for 2016?
I'm gonna be working on my production a lot more this year. I have a few things locked away, but I'm aiming to have a few serious releases in 2016. I'm also working on flying some guys out here, as well as collecting guest mixes for my radio show. There's so much talent in London that I want and need New York City to hear.
General Courts
Twitter: @GeneralCourts
Age: 23
Location: West London
Station: Radar Radio
How did you get into DJing?
I got into DJing from being around my friend, DJ Travis-T. I first started going to radio with him around 2009/2010, and it was amazing to see how well he mixed and blended tunes together to create a whole new sound. From there, the interest in learning how to DJ grew. Through Travis-T, I connected with another sick DJ, Grandmixxer, in 2011 and the interest and inspiration to mix continued to grow. A year after that, I finally purchased some decks and have been trying to perfect my craft as a DJ ever since.
Who are you mixing heroes, and why?
Firstly, I have to say Grandmixxer and Travis-T; they're two of the sickest DJs I have the pleasure of knowing and they inspire me to be the best DJ that I can be. They put in a lot of work and time into honing their DJing skills, and that's something that I really admire. Even having conversations about DJing or just listening to them talk about DJing with the passion and knowledge that they have, it's like: "Rah! That's deep." Another DJ I have to mention is DJ Mak 10. Mak 10 was a boss on the decks. His precision mixing, tune selection, and the way he brought tunes into the mix—he's just a DJ I've rated for the longest time. In the early 2000s, I wasn't always able to lock into the stations he DJ'd on, so I missed a lot of sets. I always wished that I was able to lock in just to be able to experience Mak 10's DJing live at the time.
Of all the club music genres to choose from, why grime?
There's something about the grime sound that just grabs me. When I first heard grime, in the early 2000s, the sound was very raw, hype, dark, but at the same time gave the same bubbly vibe I got from the softer-sounding garage that I was into at the at the time. Grime's a homegrown genre, and so it was great to hear sick music being created by MCs and producers from your hometown/city. I felt like I could relate to the music a lot more than the U.S hip-hop that I would otherwise listen to, and that's the case even today.
Favourite track to throw down when the crowd's looking a little tired?
I love a good classic grime tune, and "Pow" by Lethal B or "Murkle Man" by Jammer always seems to do the trick.
#DJGoals for 2016?
To become a sharper DJ. It'd be nice to get some bookings under the belt, too. I'd love to show audiences what I'm about, and show them exactly what I can do up on the decks.
J Beatz
Twitter: @JBeatzMusic
Age: 23
Location: Enfield, North London
Station: Mode FM
How did you get into DJing?
I've always had an interest in it. I got an opportunity to learn how to mix at my local youth club, back in 2008, and I haven't looked back since. At that point though, I was already producing for a few years, so DJing as well just made a lot of sense. Being able to play my own tunes is pretty sick as well.
Who are your mixing heroes, and why?
Coming up, learning to be a DJ, I'd study the likes of EZ, Spooky, Mak 10 and Spyro. I used to listen to their sets anyway, just as a consumer of the music, but when I was learning how to DJ I would watch videos of them on YouTube and study their sets like it was my homework [laughs]. I would literally watch EZ to try and learn how he does his mad tricks and get the crowd hype, and I'd listen to Spooky, Mak 10 and Spyro to learn how to chop neatly, soak in their mixing styles, and how they mix with MCs on sets. If you want to be the best, you've got to learn from the best.
Of all the club music genres to choose from, why grime?
When I started DJing, I was already producing grime so it was natural that grime would be my genre of choice to mix. I've mixed loads of different genres in the past, but I find grime more fun to mix; you can mix quick, and there's a variety of sounds and moods to choose from. Both the vocal and instrumental sides in grime are strong, whereas with other genres it's mainly one or the other. Also, seeing a crowd respond to my own grime tunes, that feeling right there is second to none!
Favourite track to throw down when the crowd's looking a little tired?
"Karni4" by R1 Ryders—and if the ravers can't skank out to that, that's when I know I'm in the wrong place.
#DJGoals for 2016?
I wanna raise my profile more, have bigger and better guests on my show, join a good booking agency, and play out abroad.
