DjHistory

Kaidi Tatham was one of the driving forces in the explosive London scene of broken beat. Subsequent to that, he’s guested on keys for numerous people as well as regularly releasing his own, soulful gear. Listen to him reflecting on his life and also winning a Grammy with Jazzy Jeff.

A DJ’s DJ, Jane Fitz has been in and around the London underground scene for around three decades now, making her name originally with Peg Party, followed by Night Moves and a residency at Pickle Factory. We discuss the art of building and sustaining a party and plenty of chat about Italy and its many obscure record labels and parties. 

French-Canadian Fred Everything first made his name outside his native homeland with a brilliant bootleg mix of N’Dea Davenport’s ‘Bring It On’. He has subsequently released five albums under his name, plus a recent ambient release under the moniker All Is Well. We talked deep Canadian history, the creative process and where to find good house music (clue: gay clubs). 

Kate Hutchinson is our guest in March. Kate began her career on the nightlife desk at Time Out, being tutored by TO legend Dave Swindells. She wound up as Clubs Editor there, before going on to build a successful career as a DJ, presenter, freelance writer and woman-about-town. Also check her podcast series, The Last Bohemians, it’s ace!

Yet another encounter with one of the dons of drum and bass, Fabio, who talks liquid D&B (new Generation Liquid comp out now), spending a grand a week on dubplates and the hilarious consequences of taking E before DJing in Italy. 

In this month’s podcast, we return to Manchester with prodigal daughter DJ Paulette, who tells us about her forthcoming book, Welcome To The Club, and why Ibiza wasn’t all that.

DjHistory Podcast - Session Victim (DJH013)

Zakia Sewell is a club DJ, NTS radio presenter at NTS, but also a radio documentary producer, with shows ranging from the Sabar drummers of Senegal to the history of UKG. We chat with her about her start at Honest Jon’s, how you define taste and how to stay connected to your DJ roots.

Steve Silk Hurley is one of the founding fathers of Chicago house. His surprise hit hit in 1987, Jack Your Body, was the first house track to hit #1 in the pop charts and announced his arrival as a major talent. In this wide-ranging interview he recalls sneaking out of the house to go to parties, breaking his father’s strict curfew, makes a claim for his version of ‘I Can’t Turn Around’ being the first house track ever made and tells the story of how Farley Jackmaster Funk’s hit version was an idea originally stolen from him. 

Hip hop pioneer Monica Lynch was the seminal rap label Tommy Boy’s first employee in 1981, where she went on to spend nearly two decades (much of it as president), signing De La Soul, Digital Underground, Stetsasonic and RuPaul, to name a few. In this full interview, she talks about the birth of hip hop, plus her time as a radio presenter, hustle dancer, and topless performer in Times Square. Quite a life, for a middle class gal from Chicago.