DJ Brockie - B2B Live and Direct - Kool FM - UK - Jul 2007

Biography of DJ Brockie

Brockie is one of the second generation of DJs to make it into the 'big-name' elite. The first generation are DJs like Grooverider and Mickey Finn: people who originally made their names first time around purely by being DJs and can ram out events on the strength of their name alone. The second generation have come a different route, mostly through producing, but one of the main reasons Brockie has made it to the top is through pirate radio.

Brockie has been DJing just as long as the first generation, but he was playing hip hop, soul, swing, ragga, etc. in 1988. By 1991 though, Brockie was also playing hardcore and some old friends who were starting up a pirate radio station called Kool FM invited him to be a part. He wasn't a regular on the club circuit then, and those first two years were mostly spent playing on the radio, building his and the station's profile. The reward for this groundwork became evident in 1994, with his name appearing on more and more flyers and at bigger and bigger events. Fast forward to 1997. Brockie still plays on Kool, but now is also the DJ manager on the station (which involves scouting new talent and co-ordinating their roster). He's definitely the biggest name to emerge out of the Kool FM / Jungle Fever stable, and he has the visa stamps in his passport to prove it. What is new though, is his production career. He's been working in the studio with Mr Time (of Krome & Time fame) and they are starting a new label together called Undiluted
So, I put it to him, what is it about him that has seen him emerge from such a highly competitive field? 'I think the reasons are Kool FM and MC Det,' is the modest answer.

Sometimes it's difficult to step outside yourself for an objective view, but luckily Det is sitting in on the interview, and he has his own opinions why Brockie is popular: 'I know a lot of the top MCs like Brockie's style due to the beats he selects. Even if it's a heavy drum & bass tune, the way he selects it, it's like it's saying something - like a song in itself.'

'People have said to me for years that I play a certain way,' adds Brockie, 'but I just don't know it or can't hear it. It's amazing. I like hard, rolling, aggressive drum & bass within my set, but I've always integrated it with something else to play alongside it.'

What do you think makes a good DJ? 'You've got to love the music and what you're doing. You've got to remember you're booked to make people dance and be biased against your own selfish ego. Some DJs think they are masters, teaching people about music. Having said that, you have DJs like LTJ Bukem who plays what he wants, but does it well, because he makes good quality music and has always stuck to it and never changed. There's only a few though.'

How pre-prepared is your set? 'I have an idea of what I'm going to do, but it's not prepared. It's just what's in the box, I just go there, look at the crowd, listen to what's being played, see what's happening and just go with the crowd. I never really practice either. My practice is every weekend on the radio. In the last five years, I've never had two decks at my house and said 'right, I'm going to play my records before I go out'. I just like to go with the vibe and what's happening. I'm not into 'that must go with that'. None of my sets are ever the same. When I play out or on the radio, sometimes I think I played a good set and I try to remember how I did it, but it's all forgotten.'

You seem to have been categorised in the jump-up end of the breakbeat spectrum, does this bother you? 'In a sense, it's not such a bad thing, but what's happened is a lot of promoters seem to think it's the only way I play. When they start getting like that, it is annoying. I play different sets to different crowds all round the world. Promoters should stop stereotyping DJs and just listen to how people play before they start putting labels on people and saying 'you play this and they play that'. I try not to let those things get to me, because I like the crowds I play to every weekend. In a small club, you can get away with playing a whole hour of what you want, but in a major, big rave you've got to have a balance of everything, across the board, because everyone likes something different.'

Is making music a natural progression from being a DJ? 'It's something that has to happen, even if you don't want it to happen, because I find what's happened now is that there is more emphasis on DJs that produce than just DJs. Financially, you have to do it as well.' Brockie had his first track released on Kool FM's K Power label last year, and also has contributed one of the best tracks, 'Representz' to the current Kool FM compilation album 'The Fever.'

Finally, what gives you satisfaction? 'The awards I've had, because it meant that the ravers took what we were doing seriously and appreciated it. Any award I get, I don't just take for me, I take it for Det and Kool FM as well. It's the only way of getting feedback. Even though they're in front of you dancing away, bigging you up, when they vote for you, you know they appreciate what you're doing. As a DJ, I still don't think I've achieved anything yet. I'm not sure exactly what or where it is, but I know you've got to give things a go and keep on it. That's what got me where I am as a DJ, even when there was nothing happening, I kept trying. Nobody was listening to me, but I didn't give a hell, I still did my thing. All my friends kept telling me I was wasting my time, but I just kept going. That's the sort of person I am, if I get into something, I want to go all the way.'

Well, I'd say he's conquered DJing, so the next challenge must be producing. If he attacks this with the same vigour he did with DJing, I've no doubt he and Undiluted will really go all the way.

DJ Kane - B2B Live and Direct - Kool FM - UK - Jul 2007

Biography of DJ Kane

Drum and Bass / Jungle DJ Kane introduction to the rave scene began at the tender age of fourteen when he began listening to Fantasy FM in 1989. He consequently became inspired to begin mixing, and by 1992 he was playing on Don FM Jungle Music Station which later that year lead to him becoming one of the founding DJ’s on the world famous Kool FM London’s longest running Drum and Bass / Jungle pirate, where he still plays today Drum and Bass.

His regular slots on Kool FM drum and bass radio station naturally progressed to being booked at large drum and bass events, of which he cites pre-jungle promoters Electribe to be the first in 1992. Inspired by the darker side of hardcore around this time, which was quickly becoming jungle, Kane’s involvement in the scene quickly progressed from playing drum and bass tunes to making them, inspired by influential producers of the era A Guy Called Gerald and Potential Bad Boy.

He soon met Trouble on Vinyl’s drum and bass label Mark & Clayton who were then setting up their Fledgling label, to which he was immediately signed. His debut release was on TOV drum and bass label in 1993, where 'Neutron Posession' featured on the labels first ever release. The same year he also had huge sellers on Nico’s No U Turn label, “Lost” and “Slave” respectively. DJ Kane then went onto have a wealth of releases on Trouble on Vinyl and its various imprints over the next five years, including the widely acclaimed collaboration with his sister Vanessa Simon 'The Life' (1995), the first Renegade Recordings release “Game Over” (1995), “Lets go Work” (TOV,1996) and his biggest seller on Rengade Hardware “System” (1997), remixed in 1998 by Optical and Fierce.During this time Kane was also remixing a number of tracks including, 'Set It' (Congo Natty ,1997). In the UK he was resident at nights like Renegade Hardware at the End, Jungle Fever, Jungle Soundclash and appeared on the renowned “One in the Jungle” (BBC Radio 1) twice.His dj bookings also began to take him all over the world. DJ Kane has toured drum and bass in America, Canada, Japan, Germany,Austria, Italy, France, Switzerland amongst others. After “The Code of the Streets” (TOV) and 'Quantum Mechanics' albums in 1997 and 1998, DJ Kane left the T.O.V camp which marked the beginning of a new era in his drum and bass career.

In 1999 DJ Kane joined Brockie’s new drum and bass label Undiluted Recordings and his first release was “Abstraction” / “Menace” which he did with Genotype. “Konga” (2000) from the Showdown EP on the drum and bass Undiluted Recordings blew up massively leading to being licenced to various compilation albums including Telstar’s “Pure Drum n Bass” mixed by Grooverider. During this period he played regularly at drum and bass nights such as One Nation, Telepathy, and Movement . At the end of 2000, DJ Kane was to join up with a new drum and bass / jungle promotion “Dekefex” based in South London. He assisted in the drum and bass side of the promotion which fused drum n bass and hip hop under the same roof, at Brixton’s “Mass” venue. The scene embraced this new concept and Dekefex put South London on the map in terms of drum n bass nights. The Dekefex all night events at the Mass also spawned a successful regular Thursday night at the Dogstar ( DFX) for two years before moving to the Bug Bar for a year where DJ Bailey also became part of the camp.

It was during this period in 2001 that DJ Kane, Brockie and Ed Solo launched sister drum and bass label Sonic Art, the first release the now classic “Stampede” / “Outboard” and all of the Undiluted Recordings back-catalogue are still selling copies to this day. Every Undiluted Recordings and Sonic Art release from 1999 until the present has gone in at No.1 on BBC Radio 1’s “High Rollers” drum n bass record sales chart.

Although still active in producing music across the genres, DJ Kane’s output of material has not been as prevalent over the last 3 years, mainly due to his hectic DJing schedule and promotion commitments. His last release on Undiluted Recordings was in 2002, his remix of “Dangerous” (Brockie and Ed Solo).

2005, however, marks DJ Kane return with his first drum and bass release in 3 years, his remix of Twisted Individual dancefloor stormer “Bus' it Tonite” which is out now on Grid Recordings. The debut Undiluted Recordings album 'Pure' is due out later this year which will include one of DJ Kane brand new tracks, highlighting his versatility and demonstrating where he is musically at present. Also on the albulm is the massive Twisted Individual remix of DJ Kane biggest tune so far, “Konga” .

DJ Kane continues his fortnightly Sunday show on Kool FM from 9-11pm which is broadcast simultaneously on internet station www.raveguide.co.uk/live He continues to play at both large and small scale events across the UK and Europe ranging from his residency at Essence of Chi to Battle of the MC's. His popularity as a dj amongst both the old skool ravers and the younger set continues to grow as he is a dj that plays both for himself and first and foremost for the dancefloor, which he is renowned for being able to “read” like not many others can. His selection varies from Old Skool hardcore & jungle back to 1991, through to upfront dancefloor and liquid funk, but he is mostly admired for the diversity shown is his dj sets. With his production and releases set to take off again in the next 12 months, the wisest advice is to watch this space…closely.

MC Fun - B2B Live and Direct - Kool FM - UK - Jul 2007

Biography of MC Fun

1. How long have you been involved in the scene?
OVER 10 YEARS

2. What are your plans for the rest of this year?
TO GET SOME TUNES FINISHED BOTH DNB AN HIPHOP/BREAKS

3. How did you get into what your doing ?
MY COUSIN WAS A UK HIPHOP ARTIST SO I GOT INTO WRITIN AT AN EARLY AGE. HAD A LONG STINT IN THAT BUSINESS RELEASED A TUNE AND DONE BARE P.A'S WID MY GROUP. I MOVED ONTO JUNGLE DNB COS U COULD STILL SPIT WITHOUT SPENDIN BIG DOE ON STUDIO TIME.

4. Do you remember your first Rave?
NOT REALLY. WAS PROBABLY IN BRIGHTON OR MAIDSTONE. I DID SMALL THINGS B4 LIKE HSE PARTIES.

5. Can you remember your first play out?
NO

6. Who in the scene inspired you to want to be a part of it?
DJ PRESSURE X,MC TIMES2, BROCKIE AND DET and FEARLESS. KOOLFM

7. Do you feel the scene is in a healthy state ?
NOT REALLY. THINGS CAN ALWAYS BE BETTER!

8. where do you see yourself in 5 years?
IN A STUDIO SUMWHERE WRITING BEATS FOR MY PEEPS. CHILLIN WID MY CHILDREN TRYNA ENJOY LIFE.

9. What was the first record you bought ?
CAPE FEAR/ RICKY

10. What other types of music do you listen to?
ALL TYPES.

11. What tune are you excited about at the moment?
(no answer)

12. What did you have for breakfast this morning?
DOUBLE EGG CHIPS SPAGETTI TOAST WID TEA

13. Do you play any sport?
YES. FOOTY, TABLE TENNIS. I'LL TRY ALMOST ANYSPORT THO.

14. What football team do you support?
LIVERPOOL

15. What’s the most interesting place you have been to?
BRAZIL. AMAZON

16. How many pairs of trainers do you own?
BOUT 10 PAIRS. ONLY USE 3 REGULAR THO

17. Do you have any pets?
CAT CALLED BONNEY FEMALE

18. when you was a raver Who was your favourite dj ?
PRESSURE X AND BROCKIE

19. Whats your favourite Tv Show ?
NOT TOO MUCH TIME FOR THE BOX BUT I DO LIKE 'HOUSE' DOCTOR SERIES

20. Any shout outs?
MY PEEPS/ FAMO MC NYIA BINGI, MELA-TEC, DJ RUFFSTUFF MAJISTRATE UNO AND ALL LEADERS OFF THE NUSKOOL MASSIVE.

MC Mekar - B2B Live and Direct - Kool FM - UK - Jul 2007

Biography of MC Mekar

Location;
South East London,
United Kingdom

Styles/Genres:
Drum & Bass / Jungle / Big Beat

Influences:
GQ has to be the biggist influence, hosting the whole of AWOL bk in the day on his own, man is due respect and i give respect to him now !!!Stapleton, noisia, spor, Verse, Eksman, john B, loxy&Ink, 2shy, sci phi, sonic progress, Skibadee, Rage, D Bridge, pendulum, Navigator, Foxy, skynet, Calibre, SLB, Mc Kombo, commix, high contrast, mc flyte, ed rush and optical, chase and status, stevie hyper d R.I.P, Logistics, clayton@tovmusic.com, mc Wrec, ic3, darren jay & micky finn, fabiiiioooo

http;//www.myspace.com/qcagency

MC Petite - B2B Live and Direct - Kool FM - UK - Jul 2007

Biography of MC Petite

Location;
United Kingdom

Styles:
DnB

Petite is a harlow based mc and has been mcing for about 8 years. mainly repping the east anglia area you can catch him on planetdnb.com wednesday 7pm till 10pm g.m.t. sunday afeternoon 3 till 5 gmt on planetdnb.com. also 9 till 11 g.m.t saturday mornings on kool 94.6 fm.

http://www.planetdnb.com/

MC Blacka - B2B Live and Direct - Kool FM - UK - Jul 2007

Biography of MC Blacka

Blacka was introduced to the jungle, drum and bass Scene in 1993 growing up listening to Steve Hype D, Mc Dett and many more influences and also attending raves like Roast, Voodomagic and New Jack City etc. Getting his first break in the mid 90s playing in under 18 raves like New lick, Pleasure Rooms and being appreciated greatly in Reading he managed to get himself on Rinse fm in 1997, which was his first appearance on a radio station. Blacka Quotes: “My first real break was when I joined Ruud Awakening in 1998, where I started from the bottom and pushed my way to the top to get myself recognized on the radio as an mc. I rolled out every Saturday night with Dj Damaja, and then various other mcs & djs started to get involved with our show & thru that the Aftershock Kru was born. My determination drove me to get bookings like Future Sound, Hysteria, Nocturnal, Rollercoaster, Throwdown, Downtime, Ruud Nation, Breakoligy, hard Purescience and many others plus international raves like; Bulgaria, Germany, Russia, Italy, Barcelona and Switzerland”, and have now landed on the number one drum and bass station Kool fm....

Catch him each and every WEEK: KOOL FM. 94.6FM [WEDNESDAY 7-9 PM GMT] Big Ups- Creepy Massive Kool fm N17 okay den'' for Bookings contact www.mcblacka@hot mail.co.uk

DVS - B2B Live and Direct - Kool FM - UK - Jul 2007

Biography of DVS

DVS began MCing to Drum n Bass in 2001 with a flavour all of his own. Drawing on a range of influences - from Reggae to Rock and RnB - DVS MC has become a mainstay of Tempo Tantrum events, keeping the crowd on their toes with his infectious attitude. DVS's CV is an extensive one and he has performed at many of the UK's leading DnB events, including Rollercoaster, Impact, Dekefex and Pyromaniacs, as well as at Formation: Roadblock nights in Leicester. Among the many DnB DJs he's worked with are: Andy C, Klute, DJ SS, Nicky Blackmarket, Bailey, Fabio, Twisted Individual, Loxy, Bryan Gee and Simon Bassline Smith. Throughout 2003, DVS held a residency on London pirate radio station Ruud Awakening 104.3 before leaving to focus on promoting the sounds of Nu-South London in his own inimitable fashion.