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  DJ 279 aka “numbers” Interview
deejay feature 0036 added
14.09.06
words: Lady Cook
technical:
QED
279 is perhaps a name more familiar to Londoners than heads across the country, but this is one DJ who has served his time in the Hip Hop community and deserves respect for it. Long established as one of London’s favourite DJ’s due to his show on Choice FM, and for his pivotal role in selflessly promoting new talent. Here is the long awaited – and a bit overdue, UKHH interview with DJ 279.
Lady Cook: For those yet to know, who is DJ 279?
 DJ 279: I’m just an ordinary guy who loves his Hip Hop; I love presenting my radio show on Choice FM. I see myself as being very down to earth and very approachable, modest but honest with my thoughts if asked.
LC: Where are you coming from?
279: I’m not sure what this question means so I’ll be general. I believe in terms of my work, the DJ should be a leader so I pride myself on picking up on things very early, in terms of music and in particular new artists as they come up. I won’t play a song unless I like it, and a reputation only means I expect more from you.
I hate rappers who have no idea about Hip Hop culture and I do feel that a lot of the newer ones don’t do the knowledge, which is sad! This has lead to Hip Hops fundamentals fast being eroded away. Biting has now become cool - ask yourself how many ideas have you heard with rappers biting other artists’ work. Too many heads appear to be content with being like everyone else. Most of the current wave of new UK rappers, I won’t call them emcees, think they have to be gangsters and make countless songs about selling drugs and find it impossible to write a verse without some mention of a firearm (how sad) people do so called
mix CDs and there’s no mixing on it, most don’t have a DJ, I could go on but I won’t.
LC: How long have you been Into Hip Hop!
279: Being into Hip Hop was an organic growth. I can remember a lot of early things ‘cos Hip Hop culture caught my attention but for a long time I was a quiet observer and fan. I bought records until I kinda became a DJ, because people knew I had music so they would ask me to play at their parties.
LC: Can you remember the first time you mixed?
279: I used to go to my friend Colin’s house ‘cos he had decks and pester him to let me have a go. He used to have loads of breaks I think the first
time I nailed it was a mix with James brown’s funky drummer, I can’t remember what the other record was I think it was Tashan.
LC: What was the first record you bought?
279: I can’t remember what the first one was, I do know that I bought It with my paper round money though. I wasn’t allowed to touch the stereo but I still did just when my parents weren’t around, till one day I got caught ‘cos I broke the needle. Needless to say I got beats (haha).
LC: What is your favourite record?
279: I can’t answer that question there are so many, for so many different reasons it’s just impossible, I think my answer would properly change every time you asked me.
LC: Why DJ 279, why are you called that?
279: There are reasons it’s not just a number plucked out of the sky, anyone into numerology would understand it so the mystery continues.
LC: You're now at Choice FM, what was your first slot on the radio?
279: My first show on pirate radio was on a station called Groove FM in Lewisham that was about 1989 I think. I started helping Steve Wren on Choice In 1991 when he used to present the rap show, ‘til I became his successor when he moved on to a different slot and that was Oct’ 1992.
“...I still love what I do I still get a buzz from every radio show and party
that I do...”
LC: What memory (like meeting someone whose music you love) would you say was a seminal moment like 'this is why I do this?' name a few if you like?
279: Launching “Flava of the month” a monthly club night at The Borderline with Steve Wren was particularly satisfying; because I knew there were people who loved the music like I did. Some of those parties will be fondly remembered, by many that attended them over the years. So many names that are now household within the UK Hip Hop scene today were there earning their stripes and honing their skills. We had emcee battles, DJ battles, it was just the shit. Watching MC D tear the house down and the En4cers and the original Scratch Perverts battle it out on the decks. Ty’s stage craft was supreme even back then, the Brotherhood, Rodney P, MCM. I don’t think it
would be unfair of me to say “Flava of the Month” the club night did a lot for Hip Hop at that time and that’s something I am very proud of. I lost my money sometimes but it went into a cause I believed in and it helped to spawn another generation.
Meeting all these people I admired like Nas, AZ, Rakim, Cutmaster Swift, London Posse, Monie Love, Chuck D, KRS One, Cash Money, Jazzy Jeff, Pogo, Biznizz, Keith Murray, Masta Ace, Canibus, OC, Big L, Redman, Busta Rhymes, Jeru, Gang Starr, Blade and people like that were all special to me, and the good thing is the list continues to grow.
LC: What's your worst experience doing a radio show?
 279: I remember when I was helping Steve Wren he introduced me to DJ Bigga who runs Urban Essentials and Lee Stevens and they were involved with a station called Stomp FM who had a temporary licence to broadcast In the Essex area for 6 weeks and they gave me a chance to do a rap show. So I went down to the studio to do the show and I opened the mic for my first link and said “you’re listening to Choice FM 96.9” in front of a studio full of people, how embarrassing.
LC: Do you still enjoy your job?
279: I still love what I do I still get a buzz from every radio show and party that I do, as no two are the same. I can’t wait to listen to the music I get sent and be amongst the first to spin it. The moment that feeling disappears that’s the day I will stop.
LC: What's the best Hip Hop concert you've ever seen?
279: There are a few contenders for the best concert I’ve attended but I think top of the pile has to be KRS one followed by Public Enemy and the Juice Crew all at the same venue (Brixton Academy).
LC: What do you think about the BNP recent gains in the local elections, do you think this is an isolated issue or symbolic of a renewed threat from of racism?
279: I think their political gains are as a result of clever campaigning, which has allowed them to capitalise on people’s uncertainties with issues of illegal immigrants, refugees and Muslim extremists at the heart of their trickery. I believe the racism issue is getting better but it seems that religion and wealth are still at the heart of most problems these days.
LC: Do you think radio presenters like yourself have a role in educating young people or just educating people about music?
279: A radio presenter has a job to present radio shows and that can be done in a number of ways. If you are a talk show host speaking on current affairs etc, then I would say yes you should seek to teach and enlighten, if not then I would say it isn’t your duty.
“...I will always try my hardest to do my best...”
I do a lot of youth work so I have seen the positive effect I can have on young people who have a level of respect for what I’ve achieved personally. In a funny way I have more chance of connecting with them than many others who may want to educate them, like teachers etc, but I think It’s important to not lose sight of the fact that being a teacher is also a discipline in itself and shouldn’t be undermined.
LC: What artists are you feeling In the UK scene at the moment?
279: I’ve made the mistake of forgetting people when answering this question only to get calls from those that I omitted to mention, so let’s just say there are lots of artists I like but singling out individuals may not be a wise move.
LC: If an up and coming artist reading this wanted to get their music played on your show how should they go about getting it to you?
279: Simple: Just send it to DJ279@hotmail.com or mail it to PO Box 8545, London, SW16 4ZA, UK. And if I like it and it fits my show I will play it. I have played a lot of artist’s early material and that’s because I listen to every CD I get. Reputations mean nothing when the vinyl, CD or mp3 gets played, it’s all about what comes out of the speakers.
LC: Any tips for up and coming UK artists?
279: Do the knowledge and know Hip Hops history, get ya game together before you go knocking on doors, be persistent but respectful. Remember not everyone will like what you do, so don’t burn bridges, don’t copy others, be
yourself.
LC: Can we access your shows on the Internet?
279: It’s possible to log on to www.choicefm.com at 10pm to listen live, my new web site will soon be ready and there will be material from the show on there so check
www.DJ279.co.uk real soon.
LC: Someone once said, wisely I think that the problem with ‘UK Hip Hop’ Is that most of the artists are too sameish and have no unique selling point, what Is your opinion on this and what Is your
USP?
279: I don’t think that’s a wise statement at all, I would call It more “a misguided comment made by someone who doesn’t know the game In the UK to the level that perhaps they should before making sweeping comments like that”. How is Ty the same as Rodney P, or Swiss, or Klashnekoff? All of the fore mentioned names along with many others all do their thing differently and should be respected for it, that’s their USP.
As for mine I’m me and no one else can be me even If they try, I’ve been successful In this business for a while and I’ve done most things in the industry from being a tea boy and flying, to working in record shops, record labels, promoting parties & concerts to getting Sony Radio Award nominations for my radio show. I will always try my hardest to do my best.
LC: Tell UKHH something not many people know – but should know, about
DJ 279?
279: Liverpool is my football team (Steven Gerrard Is a bad boy baller) and I’ve been to
Croatia more times than anywhere else in the world (big up to phat phillie). My record collection is 30,000 deep and growing.
LC: Any shouts?
279: Colin aka Muz for teaching me to DJ In the first place, Johnny F, Cutmaster
Swift, Steve Wren, George K, Hakeem Stevens, Patrick Berry & Choice FM, DJ Pogo, and everyone else who believed or gave me a chance at the beginning.
Many thanks to DJ 279 for his time, and to all at Choice who helped make the interview happen.
-
Lady
Cook
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