Artist: RWD

After we featured dubstep in our About To Blow pages and MTV's cameras were turned off [Issue 58], the electronic bliss has gone from bubbling away in Croydon and London to the streets of Africa, Europe, Australia and beyond. Although we'd love to take credit it was all down to the producers, DJs and club promoters who had faith in the sound. As it continues to internationally swell the DJs within its realm are going all over the globe too.

DJ HATCHA has been on Kiss 100 spreading the word.

How did you get your name?
About 12 years ago from a Steven Segal film, Marked For Death.
What's the difference between Terry and DJ Hatcha?
I'm just me, there ain't really a difference. My character and personality is the same. No shows, no faces, no fronts.
What's been the defining point of your career?
I would say joining Kiss but then it was sad leaving Rinse FM cos I was there for four years and then before that I was at Flight FM and Upfront FM. Being at Kiss is f*cking brilliant. Getting paid for doing something you love is the best feeling.
What makes you different from the rest?
Well, actually being the first dubstep DJ makes me pretty different. Things like my style, technique, selection of tunes too.
How important is your radio career to you?
It's very important! I'm pushing dubstep to the wider public. Listening numbers are steadily increasing and we've been getting good feedback from people. I have a lot of guests on my show and I do a lot of work in the studio.
How did you feel your mixtape compilation, Dubstep Allstars, was received?
It was wicked. I did it with Youngsta and it was an introduction dubstep mix CD.
What's the best tune at the minute?
I would say Benga vs. Coki and it's a song called Night.
Would there be a scene if there were no Croydon?
No way, dubstep came out of Croydon! We were the ones who called it dubstep in the first place. Me, Skream, Benga, Benny Ill, Martin Clark...
What's next for you?
For every weekend, I'm in a different country till the end of the year. I just done a mix for iTunes, I've got another mix CD coming out and I've got a festival this weekend in Italy.

MySpace.com/djhatcha Catch DJ Hatcha on Kiss 100 every Tuesday night Wednesday morning from 1am

DJ CHEF has been grafting for a while too and has a regular slot at FWD>> and on Rinse. The Transition Studio working/ Norwood living DJ gives us his spin on things...

So tell us who is Leon and who is DJ Chef?
I'm not sure who Leon is anymore; Chef seems to be taking over more and more each day.
How do you hold down a job, a show on Rinse and play around the world?
It's easy because I love what I do with a passion. I used to dream of being a busy respected DJ, so now I'm getting there I'm embracing it with both hands. I've been on Rinse for four years, Sunday night's 1am till 3am, I get withdrawal symptoms when I miss a show, doing radio is what keeps you on point and sharp, it's basically my weekly Dexercise.
What's been the highpoint of your dubstep career?
My highest point was probably DMZ 2nd Birthday Bash, there were hundreds of people outside wanting to get in when Mass was at capacity so they had to open to club downstairs as well!!
What state do you think the dubstep scene is in?
V. good - there are loads more flavours in the sound than ever, more records events and it's not just in London or UK but the whole world. It's really spread like a virus.
What is the best tune at the minute? What goes off in the clubs/ festivals?
Spongebob by Coki (Digital Mystikz). Every time I've dropped it has gone off and ripped the place to pieces, it's mental!!!
So where are you NOT playing this summer? Cos we see you on about a million flyers a month?
I haven't had any booking enquires for Iraq yet! But saying that I DJ'ed in Israel a couple months ago and it was banging, nothing like I was expecting because of all the bad media.
What's next for you?
My first proper release, it's a collab with Clue Kid. I'm involved with Subbalicious out of Amsterdam and it will be as good as their Dutch herbs! Watch out for my own label, SubFreaq Recordings too.

MySpace.com/dj_chef

DJ HIJAK is synonymous with his sound, the dubbed-out younger brother to Skream is ready and waiting to kidnap the whole scene...

Tell us who is Jack and who is Hijak?
Hijak's from Croydon and has been mixing since the age of about 10. He's been playing hardcore/ jungle, 2Step/ UKG, US/ UK house but for the last few years he's been concentrating on writing/ playing dubstep. Jack is one and the same.
Explain the beauty of nights like DMZ and FWD>>?
The vibes on the night. The atmosphere is electric! No moodiness, just pure skanking out to the beats. The music is the reason everyone's there, not what you're wearing or drinking. FWD>>'s a club night and has been there since the birth of dubstep, it's where the artists went to hear the freshest dubs, it's still going strong every Friday, get down there! DMZ continues to get bigger and better, more of a rave type night, regularly getting 1000+, everyone going mental. You have to reach one if you haven't already.
What has been your best time at DMZ?
Every DMZ is special for me, but if I had to pick a favourite it'd probably be my debut back in September '06. It was packed out from early and everyone was having it. I listen back to the set and the crowd reactions still give me goosebumps!
What's been Hijak's Hipoint?
That's a tricky one, there's been quite a few and they keep coming.. Getting tracks signed to Tectonic and Deep Medi was definitely a high point.
What is the best tune at the minute?
Coki's – Spongebob is up there... The track is ridiculous!
Where will you be playing this summer?
I'm at H.E.N.C.H. in Bristol and FWD>> this month, got a mini tour of the Netherlands coming up with some big names in the scene, keep an eye out for that one!
What's the best/ worst holiday you've ever had?
Best holiday has got to be Brazil back in 2004. Went to Rio and Buzios with a couple of mates.. The place/people are amazing! I recommend it to anyone.. And if there's any promoters out there that want to start a dubstep night and happen to read this please BOOK ME haha!!
Where is the summer for you?
Where is the summer? You tell me! It's crap! What happened to, “We're going to have the hottest summer ever”... the weathermen are weasels!

MySpace.com/thehijak

DJ CHEWY’S DUBSTEP CATCHUP

Who behind the beats?
Producers like El B, Mala, Loefah, Benny Ill, Loefah, Skream, Benga, Kode 9, Virus Syndicate, N Type and many others have all played a big part in the evolution of yet another British movement. As with every scene, dubstep has their youngers, who aspire to be like their peers. Some fresh faces are emerging like Iron Soul, D1, Caspa, Distance Shackleton and more. With global gatherings on every horizon the dubstep sound has reached international appeal. From Belgium to Canada, from Prague to Miami, Japan to Australia.
Where can I hear this?
In the last few years the scene has been elevated from Rinse FM and Déjà Vu pirate radio stations to Radio 1 (In DJs We Trust ) with Plastician and Kiss 100 with DJ Hatcha and mic disciple Crazy D not to mention the stint on MTV Base with 'About to Blow'. Also gracing the cover of IDJ this month is our cover star, Hijak's brother, Skream. It's a complete takeover we tell you.
What's the difference between grime and dubstep?
To us, the difference is obvious. The production of dubstep is more complex as it does not have to rely on vocals for its hooks. The vocal side of Grime has a very social impact where by dubstep has no boundaries and is more internationally accepted. Get to your local dub vendor, turn on the radio or get down to a club to experience it for yourself.
Where can I experience this?
In 2005 it was journalist Martin Clark who said, “No matter what ends you're from, if you like dark, heavyweight riddims, you reach FWD>>” Knowing exactly what you get from both FWD>> and DMZ we'll be the first to co-sign. You need to experience dubstep live at least once.

MySpace.com/djchwyuk

RWD Magazine

---