MOBO Interview: DJ Stylus

I haven’t known Stylus for very long. We got chatting as he’s a friend of a friend and I made the 3 hour journey up north to see what the city of Manchester had to offer when it comes to partying.

Living down south you’re oblivious to most of what goes on up north so it was a nice change. I was pleasantly shocked to say the least at how live the rave scene is up north. As I stood surrounded by a surreal club scene which could only be described as an American Hip-Hop video, I chilled out and watched a Master Class in Mixing by DJ Stylus himself….

MOBO: So Stylus, you’re a DJ, producer and host of your own radio show and pretty much run your own events. Do you actually have time to sleep?

Stylus: Haha, honestly…. No! I’m used to an average 4 hour sleep now, and then I tend to get up & get on with it. My brain works through the night but still I wouldn’t have it any other way.

MOBO: So what made you choose music as a career?

Stylus: Music has been a part of my life from a very young age. My parents were strong music lovers and were always playing the latest stuff around the house, so I guess it just rubbed off on me.

DJ’ing finally came into it when I was around 13. I purchased my first ever Garage Nation mixtape pack and I was instantly drawn in by the man we know today as DJ EZ. The way he used to cut tracks and drop bassline’s amazed me. Ever since that day all I ever wanted to do was be a DJ. My love for music was already there so I thought I may be in with a good shot of doing something.

I have to give props to my parents for investing in me at such a young age. My 14th birthday I was presented with a DJ in a box!! A set of cam belt drive turntables. They were the business back then... Ha!

MOBO: The famous Stylus Refixes are getting a lot of Airtime at the moment. What sort of feedback are you getting with regards to them?

Stylus: The Stylus refixes have actually been around a lot longer than people think. I’ve been backlogging them at home now for many years. It was only recently that I decided I may aswell send a few out to our fellow UK DJ’s to see what reaction they got. I thought “It’s not going to hurt anybody... Well maybe a few speakers but nothing more”. I was very surprised to hear my first post made it all way to BBC Radio 1 & 1xtra and the reactions have been great all round! Shouts to Seani B for breaking my first one. I’d like to say thanks to every DJ that’s downloaded them and keep your eyes peeled for the new refix mailout I’ll be setting up in the near future.

MOBO: Who’s a current inspiration within the music scene?

Stylus: Hmm… Tough one. There’s quite a few. I have to say on the DJ front I look up to people like DJ EZ, Mistajam and Tim Westwood! They are all legends in the DJ game. Im really feeling Drake and Jay Z right now aswell, I can relate to a lot of their material, very inspiring. Looking back on my early days though we’re talking people like Tupac, Michael Jackson, Stevie wonder and Bob Marley.

MOBO: So what do you prefer Dj’ing or Producing?

Stylus: I’ll have to say most definitely DJing! Don’t get me wrong, I love production and I have spent years studying music in Manchester but nothing can beat standing infront of hundreds or thousands of people and doing the business on the turntables. Then again, it’s always a good feeling when a track comes together in the studio… You’ve got me… I love both!

MOBO: Who’s been your favourite Artists/DJ’s to have worked with?

My favourite artist up to now would have to be Keri Hilson… she is stunning and such a nice genuine lady! Meeting her was definitely a highlight of my radio career.
DJ wise it’s the big dogs of the scene DJ EZ, Tim Westwood, Rampage and Scottie B of Twice as Nice also.

MOBO: What are your plans for the rest of 2010? Any big events? Bookings overseas?

Stylus: 2010 is looking hectic! Before the summers out I’m going to be spinning in Marbella, Ayia Napa and Dubai. Also I will be holding down my residencies in Manchester in-between if it’s possible. One of our most successful nights “GEEK’ will also be branching out to Newcastle and I’m currently in the middle of planning our next club night project which I wont speak about just yet… don’t want to spoil the surprise.

MOBO: Your radio show seems to be a big hit up north aswell as your Podcasts?

Stylus: Thanks man. The radio has been a long process but we finally made it in the end. I spent several years slugging it out on pirate [radio stations] and slowly but surely built my fan base. Once I locked down DJ spots in all the main clubs around Manchester the listener’s stats rapidly grew. Now we are slowly closing in on our fm launch after 10 years hard work. I’ve been at the station since I was 17 so it’s good to see something come of all the hard work. Manchester will finally have the urban music station it deserves with Unity radio 92.8FM. Catch me on drive time from August, weekdays 4-7pm.

MOBO: How can people get hold of you or information about your production and events?

If anyone would like to reach me then the main routes of contact are my Twitter and Facebook. I pretty much post my life on these social networking sites. 

I also run a blog posting up anything of musical interest if you would like to check it out http://www.everythingstylus.wordpress.com

And if you just want to listen to some DJ stylus mixtape material then hit up –
http://www.mixcloud.com/djstylusuk

Interview by Jay Harriot aka Seductive Mind